Thames Freeport - Britain's Trading Future

[ 13 ] in Europe — London and the south east of England — and backed by sustained investment in continually improving port facilities, whether in capacity upgrades or digital improvements, the Port of Tilbury can deliver low carbon supply chains at the heart of the Thames Estuary. The port’s connections are first-class, with daily international connectivity to multiple locations, combined with a strong UK distribution network. Multiple and specialist direct connections to the national strategic road and rail networks and barge loading capacity, help provide a suite of options for customers as the port looks to reshape urban logistics and decarbonise supply chains. The Port of Tilbury is about to enter its fifteenth decade of operation. As a long-term player dealing with global trade flows, terminal efficiency is central to its operations. The specialist in-house customs team and dedicated Port Police work with all of the onsite border agencies to ensure that customers’ cargo flows through the facilities to the point of consumption or production, and at speed. This collaborative focus is aided by investment in the latest booking and border technology to ensure seamless supply chain transition. The port’s expertise is internationally recognised, being the first British multi-location, multi- commodity port group to secure Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status for customs and security. This global kite mark builds upon proven expertise in providing a variety of customs solutions, from bonded or customs warehousing to the use of temporary storage and the operation of a freeport, access to the latest digital technology, port community systems and EDI-linking of products, maximising visibility and minimising disruption through a truly smart platform backed by years of expertise. This has created the conditions for sustained business growth, with the demand for the repositioning of assets and the delivery of more land for development. Over the past ten years, the port and its customers have invested over £1 billion to improve and expand facilities — delivering two sizeable extensions to the port’s footprint at London Distribution Park and Tilbury2 UK Paper Hub — a port-centric hub for value-added activity