Smart logistics solutions provider DP World has announced it is to fast-track the construction of a speculative 119,000ft2 warehouse its London Gateway Logistics Park to meet the demand for space.
DP World plans to complete this warehouse facility in less than a year to support the logistics and distribution services based at the freeport. The new facility will therefore be ready for occupation at the end of Q3. It has been designed to be sustainable, with a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ classification, delivering a 30% carbon reduction during construction and 40% reduction in operational carbon emissions. At the size of 400 soccer pitches, the expanding port-centric logistics park is expected to become home to a workforce of around 10,000 within the next seven years.
With international trade changing fast during the pandemic, the company intends to take advantage of the financial incentives which, by definition, come with being part of a freeport. These include zero stamp duty on leases, significant savings on employer national insurance contributions, accelerated capital allowances and a five-year business rates holiday. The fast-tracked warehouse follows the announcement that a 108,973ft2 unit at the site had been leased to Oasis Group, which provides information management and document storage services.
Oliver Treneman, park development director at DP World in the UK, said, “We have seen the best year for new business in a decade as demand for premium warehousing space in the southeast of England has reached unprecedented levels. We are very confident that LG119 (Plot 4040), the facility we are announcing today, will be of interest to some of the dozens of retail, manufacturing and logistics businesses looking to expand or establish new operations who have contacted us to take advantage of the unique opportunities on offer since our freeport status was announced.”
Treneman continued, “At London Gateway, we have the space, infrastructure and vision to support customers as they grow. Our partnership approach, logistics expertise, digital solutions and intermodal connectivity, particularly rail, help us to solve logistical challenges and give our customers more control over their supply chains.”