The Port of Tilbury received government approval for the Tilbury2 expansion site. The brownfield redevelopment project is expected to add new breakbulk and freight ferry capacity close to London UK, just in time for Brexit.
The new terminal is due to be built on the former site of Tilbury Power Station, adjacent to the current port facility and Fort Tilbury. The Secretary of State for Transport gave the project the green light, and the building process will start within weeks, according to the operator Forth Ports Group.
Upon completion, Tilbury2 will become UK's biggest port for unaccompanied freight (ro-ro shipping without vehicle drivers onboard) and its biggest construction materials processing hub.
According to Port Tilbury, the additional space is important to meet the demand for building materials, cars, as well as other goods.
The US$200 million terminal will provide a new spot for commercial freight ferries, that are critical to the commerce of England with continental Europe and could become a "capacity bottleneck" in the event of "no deal" Brexit.
Port of Tilbury will partner with P&O Ferries to develop the new ro-ro ferry terminal of the site.
Tilbury2 is part of the long term growth strategy of the port, which foresees the doubling of cargo volume and the tripling of employment within fifteen years.