The approvals are subject to satisfaction on a number of outstanding issues, including the provision of additional highway capacity in the area. Together the two schemes are expected to create up to 16,500 new jobs and help kickstart the Thames Gateway regeneration initiative in the Thurrock area of Essex.

London Gateway Port will be built on part of the site with additional area along the two miles of River Thames frontage being reclaimed by dredging.

Much of the dredged material resulting from deepening the new port's approach channel will be beneficially re-used in the reclamation.

The proposed London Gateway Port will be capable of handling the largest deep sea container ships along a 2,300m long container quay which will have a fully developed capacity of 3.5 million TEU. There will also be a ro-ro freight facility to handle two vessels with stern/bow loading.

P&O's proposals anticipate that the first container berths will be operational by the first half of 2008 and the first business unit occupied by the end of 2007. Both the port and the business park will be built in phases to meet market demand, taking an estimated 10 to 15 years to be fully completed.

The brownfield site has been used as a port since the 16th century and its development is in accordance with Government land use objectives. Since the oil refinery ceased production in 1999, Shell has embarked on a £50m clearance of the site, one of the largest brownfield site preparation programmes in Europe.

With its two miles of river frontage, excellent road and rail links and close proximity to the densely packed markets of the UK south east, the site is well situated for continuing port use.

It is estimated that 25% of the containers currently imported into the UK have a final destination within 25 miles of the Shell Haven site.

MJ Information No: 20905