DP World Launches £170M High-Tech Container Hub in UK

DP World is set to transform container handling in the UK with a £170 million investment at its London Gateway logistics hub. The project will introduce the cutting-edge BOXBAY Empty Superstack system, a breakthrough technology first proven at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port.

The BOXBAY system is a High Bay Storage (HBS) solution designed to store empty containers with unprecedented efficiency. Using fully electric stacker cranes, it can store 20- and 40-foot containers up to 16 tiers high within a fully enclosed, automated facility. This approach dramatically increases yard capacity, reduces manual handling, and enhances safety, marking a significant step in the automation of global port operations.

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How BOXBAY Works

The system operates with fully electric stacker cranes that retrieve and deliver containers automatically. Its modular design allows it to integrate seamlessly into existing port operations without requiring changes to landside or seaside infrastructure. By removing multiple tiers of empty containers from traditional automated stacking crane (ASC) yards, BOXBAY reduces rehandling and housekeeping, allowing ASCs to operate more efficiently. The result is faster truck turnaround times and improved overall terminal productivity.

Installed at London Gateway’s new all-electric Berth 4, the Empty Superstack will have a storage capacity of up to 27,000 TEU. Its energy-efficient design and automated processes are expected to boost operational efficiency, improve safety for staff, and reduce the terminal’s environmental footprint. The project is scheduled for completion in just over two years.

Proven Technology with Global Reach

BOXBAY is a product of a joint venture between DP World and Germany’s SMS group. It has already handled nearly 500,000 TEU during extensive trials at Jebel Ali Port, proving its efficiency and sustainability. Its modular structure allows it to scale according to port requirements, while energy regeneration features make it one of the most advanced container handling systems worldwide.

With global trade constantly evolving, the adoption of BOXBAY at London Gateway highlights DP World’s commitment to modernizing port operations, boosting efficiency, and supporting safer, greener logistics solutions in the UK.