UK COASTLINE CHANGES SHAPE
TO CREATE NEW LONDON GATEWAY WILDLIFE RESERVE
London, UK, Dubai, UAE, July 5, 2010: The UK’s coastline is being changed to create a new wildlife reserve as part of the London Gateway port and logistics park being developed in the Thames Estuary.
DP World is today creating a new wetland 30 times the size of Trafalgar Square by breaching part of the Essex coast’s flood defence wall. The new wildlife reserve will provide feeding areas for thousands of birds flying south for the winter. New habitats will also be created for adders, newts, lizards and water voles, which are being re-homed as part of the development works for the new deep sea container port.
DP World has worked closely with many environmental authorities to deliver the new wildlife reserve including the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, the Port of London Authority, Natural England and the RSPB. A new pathway has also been created to allow recreation activities to continue around the site.
Before the site construction work could begin, archaeologists were sent to check for any historical remains. In 2009, as part of one the UK’s largest archaeological digs, they uncovered Roman ruins including salt production houses dating back 2,000 years.
Simon Moore, chief executive of London Gateway, said: “This breach is an important milestone for us, as it allows us to complete the marine infrastructure required for the new port, which continues on schedule.”
Tim Bismire, engineering director, added: “DP World is creating a net increase in the amount of wetlands around London Gateway. This project is one part of a wider engineering and environmental management strategy. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and we will remain committed to the protection of wildlife.”
Steve Bewers, the Environment Agency’s project manager for London Gateway, said: “The creation of this inter-tidal mud flat will compensate that lost through the building of London Gateway Port. This will ensure that important feeding grounds for birds will continue to exist and not be lost through commercial development.
“Furthermore, this addition to the marine environment of the Thames will provide sheltered areas for fish, increasing the opportunity for fish growth and diversity. The varied terrestrial habitats created on the fringes of this compensation area will allow a diverse population of animals to thrive.”
The new wildlife reserve is part of the Mitigation, Compensation and Monitoring Agreement for London Gateway Port.
Through the unique combination of what will be one of Europe’s largest logistics parks and one of the world’s most efficient deep sea container ports, London Gateway will take an estimated 2,000 trucks per day off UK highways. This equates to 65 million miles of annual lorry movements, saving some 148,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Construction of essential infrastructure that lays the foundation for the project started in March this year.
About DP World
DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminals and 12 new developments across 31 countries(1). Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.
DP World aims to enhance customers’ supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.
The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 16 consecutive years.
In 2009, DP World handled more than 43.4 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 95 million TEU over the next ten years. www.dpworld.com
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(1) As of June 2010
DP World Limited, press release