Thames Freeport - Britain's Trading Future

[ 19 ] containers moved by rail in the UK at more than 30 per cent — London Gateway is aiming to achieve similar levels. The emphasis on rail across both ports takes 300,000 trucks off British roads each year, bringing significant environmental benefits. And we’re continuing to press ahead on this front. This year London Gateway and Southampton became the first deep-water ports in Britain capable of handling Freightliner’s new 775m intermodal container trains, which are the longest in use on the national rail network and generate further gains for the environment. We fully understand the importance of the UK Government’s net zero carbon target and will play our full part in delivering it, investing to cut carbon and other emissions. For example, both ports now have hybrid straddle carriers to move containers — an investment of £30 million. Both ports operate under an Air Quality Strategy with specific actions identified to reduce emissions. At London Gateway Park all warehouses are built to BREEAMS — the world’s leading sustainability standard for building construction. DP World in the UK’s investment also extends to community involvement, partnering with local schools and environmental charities in the Our World, Our Future programme. Let me now turn to the international picture. Globally we operate in 60 countries, with 128 businesses, and we employ some 60,000 people. We move 10 per cent of the world’s trade. Our flagship site is in Jebel Ali, Dubai, where we operate the port and the freezone. The story of Jebel Ali is one of which we are incredibly proud. Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is one of the world’s leading free trade zones. A DP World-owned company, the free zone was created in 1985 to promote trade and support container throughput at the Jebel Ali Port. Today it is one of the largest free zones globally and the region’s most efficient logistics hub. Located in Dubai, between Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, Jafza provides the best in multi- modal connectivity. The port is the ninth largest in the world, and we handle nearly 18 million containers per year. The freezone is home to some 8,000 companies, employing 150,000 people. Thames Freeport offers outstanding financial incentives, potentially equivalent to 50 per cent of the investment DP World is unique in offering a choice of deep-water entry and exit points to and from the UK, facilitating greater flexibility and choice for shipping lines and cargo owners