Thames Freeport - Britain's Trading Future

[ 25 ] Opportunity, equity and access are common themes across the Freeport and the Vision. The Freeport will turbocharge growth, adding to the jobs in the port (some 46,000 people are employed) and more than £4.5 billion of Gross Value Added annually by river operations. “Coming to a Freeport, new partners can be assured of the existing strength in depth of expertise and of investment in people for the future too,” adds Robin Mortimer. “Over the last five years we have invested in excess of £3 million in expanding our expert pilotage team who make sure that vessels move safely to and from their berths in the port, keeping up with rapidly growing demand. “At the same time, we are bringing young people in as apprentices and through the Government ‘Kickstart’ programme, giving them their first step on their career ladder. Investment in training and education is providing unprecedented opportunities, creating a workforce ready to deliver for Freeport customers.” Coming to the Thames Freeport, customers can take immediate confidence in the capabilities and resilience of the partners’ operations. This resilience was tested through the pandemic, when supply chains continued unbroken, through unparalleled partnership working between partners. And resilience, whether to climate change or other challenges will feature in the updated Thames Vision, drawing in the work of the Environment Agency and others. The Thames Freeport stands apart. It combines unique partners, an unparalleled mix of logistics and marine expertise, and world class manufacturing capability, on a low carbon superhighway into a capital city of more than eight million people. The PLA is working with its partners and new customers to unlock the potential, benefiting their businesses and sustaining a burgeoning net zero economy. CEVA Logistics is using the river to serve NHS customers in London, taking lorries off London’s busy roads The Freeport combines unique partners, an unparalleled mix of logistics and marine expertise, and world class manufacturing capability, on a low carbon superhighway into a capital city of more than eight million people