Thamesport, United Kingdom

Port Overview

Thamesport is a deep-sea container port located on the Isle of Grain, where the River Medway meets the Thames Estuary in Kent, southeast England. Covering 85 hectares, it is one of the UK’s busiest container ports, with an annual capacity of approximately 635,000 TEU. Strategically positioned for direct access to London and the South of England, Thamesport serves as a key hub for feeder and short-sea services, supported by deep-water berths and strong road and rail links. Its modern, automated facilities enhance its role in UK and European trade.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Thamesport features a deep-water dock with a 655-metre quay equipped with eight ship-to-shore gantry cranes, supporting vessels with draughts up to 14.5 metres. The port handles container and bulk cargo, offering semi-automated container handling with manually operated tugs. Temporary storage accommodates up to 26,000 TEU, and annual throughput capacity is around 635,000 TEU. The site includes road and rail connections, but does not operate AGVs.

Container Terminals

Thamesport, United Kingdom, features 2 container berths with a total quay length of 655 meters and a maximum depth of 15 meters. The terminal has an annual handling capacity of approximately 635,000 TEU and storage for 26,000 TEU. Container handling is semi-automated, with manually operated tugs and automated yard cranes. The major operator is Hutchison Ports, through London Thamesport Ltd.

Port Services

• Container handling: Automated secure container yards, deep-water berths, and high-speed ship-to-shore cranes for efficient container operations.
• Cargo operations: Handling of containers, dry bulks, hazardous cargoes, and ro/ro capabilities.
• Ship services: Towage, bunkering, pilotage, and stevedoring provided by private operators.
• Warehousing: Modern warehousing with 18,500 sqm covered storage and 320,000 sqm open storage.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection facilities for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Thamesport, United Kingdom, is a key deep-water port on the River Thames, serving as part of the Thames Freeport cluster. It connects to major UK regions via rail and road, and offers direct shipping routes to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and global markets. The port handles container, bulk, and short-sea cargo, linking with ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, and supports efficient distribution to London, the Midlands, and beyond.

Port Statistics

Thamesport, United Kingdom – Key Statistics

• TEU throughput: Approximately 800,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Not in the global top 50 container ports
• Number of berths: 3 main deep-water berths
• Total area: About 0.87 km² (87 hectares)
• Shipping lines: Served by major carriers including CMA CGM, COSCO, Eucon, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, and Hatsu Marine

Thamesport primarily handles regional and feeder services, with strong connectivity to Asia, Europe, and North America.