The operators of Alexander Wharf, ELG Haniel Metals Ltd, hope to ship at least 1,000 tons of stainless steel scrap every month from the facility. The company specialises in the recycling of stainless steels and special alloys.

Dredging was necessary in order to reactivate the wharf, to ensure there is sufficient depth in the area for ships to come and go from the berth safely. The Port of London Authority (PLA) worked closely with the operators at every stage of the dredging project to ensure that the local river environment of the Thames was protected.

Jim Trimmer, head of planning & partnerships at the PLA said, ‘We are very pleased to have worked in partnership with ELG Haniel to bring this wharf back into working use. This is part of our work to safeguard the future of working wharves on the Thames and to reactivate a number of currently unused port facilities on the River.

‘Every ship and barge that uses the Thames helps keep lorries off the crowded and congested roads. We will continue to take steps to increase use of the river for cargoes of all types and we see particular potential for growth in ‘green’ cargoes including recycling.’

Paul Brown of ELG Haniel Metals added, ‘The shipment from Alexander Wharf this week has gone very smoothly. Reopening this wharf makes sound business sense for ELG Haniel Metals, our Barking facility is strategically located near the key markets of London, Essex and the wider southeast England economy. And using ships to move these cargoes is not only good business, it is also environmentally sound.’

The PLA also welcomed the Government decision to dismiss plans by a property developer to convert another safeguarded wharf on the Thames in East London into a largely residential development. The decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to dismiss Capital and Provident Limited’s plans for Peruvian Wharf in Newham vindicates the introduction in 2004 of the policy to safeguard strategically placed wharves for cargo handling. Safeguarding of wharves is essential to allow London to make the most of the Thames, the environmentally friendly, ‘green’ highway that runs through the heart of the capital.  PLA chief executive Richard Everitt said, ’We are delighted with this decision, which endorses the ‘safeguarding’ policy. It is the result of over six years work by PLA in partnership with the Greater London Authority. Securing this result was essential to making sure that Londoners will be able to benefit from the enormous potential contribution the river is set to make to the Capital’s sustainable future. ’Bringing Peruvian Wharf back into cargo-handling use is the essential next step. We already have well developed plans for the site to be used for waste recycling and handling building materials.’

Fifty wharves have been 'safeguarded' for Thames cargo handling use by the Secretary of State, following the advice of the Mayor of London and the PLA. Peruvian Wharf is one of three currently disused wharves to be brought back into use. The others are Hurlingham Wharf in Hammersmith & Fulham and Orchard Wharf in Tower Hamlets.

MJ Information No: 22640