DP World has celebrated the arrival of two new Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes at its London Gateway rail terminal, poised to boost rail capacity at the logistics hub by 50%.
Scheduled to commence operations in mid-August, these cranes aim to meet escalating demand for enhanced rail connections and more sustainable supply chain solutions from customers.
Additionally, the new cranes are set to amplify box handling capacity at the terminal by 75%. This increase will facilitate greater movement of freight to and from the terminal via rail, thereby alleviating local road congestion, reducing carbon emissions in the supply chain, and enhancing customer competitiveness.
DP World’s expansion aligns with its broader commitment to augment cargo movement by rail, supported by initiatives such as the London Gateway-Southampton direct rail service and the Southampton Modal Shift Programme trial. Since September 2023, these efforts have driven the share of rail freight at the hub up to 30%.
“Customers choose us for our assets, our capabilities and the quality of our customer service. The expansion of capacity at the London Gateway rail terminal is testament to that service, with the increase in rail journeys between London Gateway and our UK rail network connections ensuring that our customers stay competitive while reducing their carbon emissions to meet their key sustainability targets,” stated Ahsan Agha, vice president port operations at DP World London Gateway.
Weighing approximately 480 tonnes and boasting a lifting capacity of 41 tonnes, the US$15m RMG cranes from ZPMC have arrived at London Gateway. These cranes feature advanced control systems and software aimed at significantly improving operational efficiency and safety at the terminal.
Ahsan Agha added, “After the disruption in supply routes in recent years, shipping lines and cargo owners are constantly looking for new capacity and sustainable solutions and we are delighted that the increased rail capacity at London Gateway will help us deliver on both fronts.”
Their arrival precedes the unveiling of London Gateway’s new US$442m fourth berth later this year, slated to become the world’s first all-electric berth at a port. Once operational, the RMG cranes will handle cargo at this new berth.