Key advantages
Sector locations
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Smart Connections Written by Professor Austin Smyth, Head of the Department of Transport Studies at the Westminster University, the findings are supported by the opinions of over 300 senior international business people, surveyed by YouGov. Click here to download a free PDF copy of the Smart Connections Transport Report
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+44 (0)1322 312190
You can contact us by email or by calling the team on +44 (0)1322 312190
Invest Thames Gateway
The Bridge, Brunel Way,
Dartford, Kent, DA1 5GA
The Bridge, Brunel Way,
Dartford, Kent, DA1 5GA
Thames Gateway Supply Chain, Ports & Logistics
The Thames Gateway: Supporting Supply Chains & Distribution Centres
One of the most supportive environments in Europe for supply-chain reliant businesses
The Thames Gateway is home to one of the most versatile port clusters in the world. The ports of London, Medway, Thamesport, Sheerness, Tilbury and the new London Gateway Port, are uniquely located between 70% of the UK’s population (who live within a 100 miles of London) and the world’s biggest marketplace – Europe. Multimodal hubs throughout the region utilise the sophisticated network of fast rail, road and air connections to create the lifeblood of modern global businesses – the logistical infrastructure of their supply-chain.
With its combination of location, multimodal hubs and excellent transport links provided by the ports, Channel Rail Link and the airport facilities at each end of the Gateway, the Thames Gateway has a powerful offering to businesses looking to locate here.
A detailed fact sheet explaining how Invest Thames Gateway can help you business thrive in the Thames Gateway region, please either register or login to our Resource Centre to find more information.
Key Facts
- Prologis’ multimodal hub at Howbury, Dartford will provide 2.1 million sq ft of distribution facilities with rail freight access.
- Property in the Thames Gateway is a third of the cost of property around the Heathrow area.
- Tilbury’s short sea terminal within the Thames Gateway is the EU’s only specialist short sea terminal.
- London’s waste stream is already attracting clean-tech companies to the Thames Gateway.
- Coryton Refinery in Essex Thames Gateway can handle ships up to 300,000 DWT the largest of the VLCC’s (Very Large Crude Carriers).
- Tate & Lyle’s Silvertown East London cane sugar refinery is the largest in the world.
- An Academy of Logistics and Transport is being developed in South Essex Thames Gateway by public and private sector partners.
- Logistics and distribution related courses are offered by a number of higher education centres along with vocational-based courses at further education centres locally in Thames Gateway.
The Thames Gateway Competitive Advantage
- Reduced costs – the proximity of location and effective multimodal infrastructure of the Thames Gateway means your supply-chain will be more cost efficient.
- Increased sales – you are on the door step of the UK and European marketplaces.
- Better and more effective support services – such as financial services, learning, development and business consultancies.
- Attract and retain better talent – the ease of access and high standard of living makes the Thames Gateway a desirable location for employees.
- Innovation and collaboration – by becoming neighbours with some of the world’s leading thinkers on supply-chain development.
- Sustainability – the green initiatives and policies of the UK’s ‘Eco-Region’ make it easier for a company to fulfil its CSR and sustainability responsibilities.
- Skills – large existing skilled workforce.
Multimodal Locations & Distribution Centres
ProLogis RFI Howbury will provide innovative distribution facilities of 2.1 million sq ft.
The experiences and knowledge gained from ProLogis’ facilities elsewhere will be employed to offer an on-site intermodal terminal and rail connected warehouses.
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
The Port of Sheerness specialises in three main product areas - fresh produce, new vehicles and forest products. A deepwater port, with no lock restrictions.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
Chatham Dock handles in excess of 1 million tonnes of cargo a year and occupies one of three basins of the former naval dockyard.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport is a long-established regional airport for South East Essex and the Thames Gateway.
- Rail
- Air
- Road
- Smart Hub
MoreBy developing the world’s most automated deep-sea container port alongside Europe’s largest logistics park, London Gateway will change the way goods are distributed around the UK.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
London Thamesport (LTP) is located in the heart of South East England, 10 miles from the M2 motorway, 35 miles from London. It is one of the UK’s busiest container ports.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
provides a major geographical advantage for transport to and from London and the South-East.The Port is a significant distribution centre, with easy access to the UK's road and motorway networks.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
Situated next to the M25 at Dartford, adjacent to Crossways Business Park only 16 miles from central London, the Dart Terminal offers the shortest overall routes to the industrial heartlands of Europe.
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
Barking Depot
- Rail
- Road
Strategically located only a few miles East of the City of London and Canary Wharf, Dagenham is a central logistics location within the Thames Gateway.
- Rail
- Road
- Smart Hub
- Sea
- Rail
- Road
Bexley’s flagship regeneration scheme within the Thames Gateway at Erith will create 800 residential units, plus a hotel, leisure and retail space. Its central Gateway location and easy access to Central London, make it an ideal place for logistics companies to make their home.
Swale, a key area within the Thames Gateway covering the Isle of Sheppey and Sittingbourne, has a number of outstanding developments. Major retailers including Aldi, Morrison’s Lidl’s are currently developing logistics centres within this vibrant area.
The Bridge, a £400 million regeneration project in the heart of the Thames Gateway, is now home to one of UK-wide supermarket Sainsbury’s logistics hubs to set new standards for subsequent developments in the Thames Gateway.
Situated within the Thames Gateway in South Essex, just to the East of London, the Borough of Thurrock covers an area of 64 square miles with over 18 miles of riverside stretching along the Thames Estuary and is home to Dartford’s busy freight terminal.
Home to leading companies such as Barclays, Honeywell, Regus, Mazda and Laing O’Rourke and is fast becoming the key location in the Thames Gateway for back office and administrative services for the logistics, ports and supply chain sectors. The business park sits on the edge of the M25 giving easy access to London, Docklands, The City and City Airport and Southend Airport.
Who Is In The Region?
The Port of Tilbury is London's major distribution hub for South East England.
Uniserve is one of the premier import and export consolidators and master loaders in the world.
is is one of the largest privately owned Transport and Logistics companies in the United Kingdom.
has its head office in London and offices in 20 locations across the UK and Ireland.
A world leader in international marine terminal operations and development, logistics and related services.
In excess of 1,000,000 sq ft of bonded storage space and 21 individual warehouses.
Marine transport company based in Ilford, Essex.
A detailed fact sheet explaining how Invest Thames Gateway can help you business thrive in the Thames Gateway region, please either register or login to our Resource Centre to find more information.
Looking for distribution warehousing, supply chain facilities or other property in the Thames Gateway region? Use our free Property Search services.
