Tilbury, United Kingdom
Tilbury is a historic Thames port town renowned for its 16th-century fort and strategic gateway to London.
Port Overview
The Port of Tilbury is located on the River Thames in Essex, England, approximately 25 miles downstream from London Bridge. As London's principal port, it ranks as the UK's third-largest port group and the largest on the Thames. The port handles 16 million tonnes of cargo annually across more than 1,000 acres, serving as a crucial multimodal logistics hub for London and Southeast England. Its strategic location provides access to 18 million people within 75 miles and excellent connectivity to the M25 motorway. The port specializes in containers, roll-on/roll-off cargo, grain, paper, construction materials, and automotive imports.
Facilities & Infrastructure
The Port of Tilbury operates across 1,000 acres with 56 operational berths and 10.2km of quay. Key facilities include a major container terminal (SSCT) with rubber-tyred gantry cranes, three rail terminals connected to the national network, and 5 million square feet of warehousing. The port handles containers, ro-ro cargo, grain, bulks, forest products, steel, and automobiles. Equipment includes reachstackers, terminal tractors, and various forklifts. A purpose-built cruise terminal serves passenger vessels with a 348-metre floating landing stage.
Container Terminals
Tilbury, on the River Thames, is one of the UK’s largest container and multi-purpose ports, handling over 20 million tonnes annually. It features around 56 berths, with the London Container Terminal offering a 1,720-meter quay and capacity for vessels up to 10,000 TEU. The terminal is not fully automated, relying on straddle carriers and reach stackers for cargo handling. Major operators include Forth Ports, which manages the overall port, and specialized terminals for containers, Ro-Ro, and bulk cargo.
Port Services
Main Services at Tilbury, United Kingdom
- Container Handling: Extensive container terminal operations with modern equipment and direct rail links for efficient import/export.
- Cargo Operations: Multi-purpose facilities for RoRo, dry bulk, breakbulk, forest products, steel, project cargo, and heavy lifts.
- Ship Services: 56 operational berths, ship agency services, barge facilities, and dedicated cruise terminal for passenger vessels.
- Warehousing: Over 5 million square feet of undercover warehousing, including chilled, ambient, and high-security tax warehousing.
- Customs: Full HM Revenue & Customs facilities, examination areas, and approved procedures for all major commodities.
Global Connectivity
The Port of Tilbury sits on the River Thames, 25 miles east of London, serving as the principal port for the capital. The port features exceptional multimodal connectivity with three onsite railheads connecting directly to London, the Midlands, South West, Wales, Scotland, and Continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel. Road access includes direct links to the M25 motorway network within 8 miles, reaching 70% of the UK's population within a 120-mile radius. The port offers daily Lo-Lo, Sto-Ro, Ro-Ro, and containerised services, plus barging directly into central London.
Port Statistics
Tilbury Port Key Statistics (United Kingdom):
- TEU Throughput: Approximately 1.5 million TEU annually
- World Ranking: Not in the global top 50; prominent UK container port
- Number of Berths: 56 operational berths
- Area: Over 1,000 acres (main port); Tilbury2 adds 152 acres
- Shipping Lines: Serviced by major global and regional lines, including P&O Ferries; routes connect Asia, Europe, and North America
