Britain’s newest and largest unaccompanied freight ro-ro terminal at Tilbury2 took a step closer to opening with the successful completion of ship trials. The terminal is planned to start operating next week.
Two of P&O’s chartered freight ferry fleet arrived at the new ro-ro terminal on the Thames on Sunday 17 May where the port team carried out a full test of the marine facilities including
- manoeuvring and tying up the ship to test the berth;
- lowering the ship’s ferry ramp to test the pontoon facilities,
- and carrying out a full risk assessment.
The ship trial was deemed a success with the smooth execution of all the test points being achieved.
Tilbury2 will be the UK’s largest unaccompanied freight ferry port
The ferry terminal, which is due to open next week, has a capacity of 500,000 units and will operate in partnership between the port and P&O Ferries importing and exporting containers and trailers with food, drink, medicines and other vital supplies to-and-from Europe.
Tilbury2 is a new port at the former Tilbury Power Station on the north bank of the River Thames on the outskirts of London. When fully operational, Tilbury2 will be the UK’s largest unaccompanied freight ferry port, the country’s biggest construction processing hub and will see the creation of a new significantly larger railhead which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775metres.
The new ro-ro port will comprise:
- A roll-on/roll-off ferry terminal for importing and exporting containers and trailers to northern Europe, in partnership with P&O Ferries
- A facility for importing, processing, manufacturing and distributing construction materials
- A strategic rail terminal which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775m
- Storage areas for a variety of goods, including exported and imported cars.
- The site will be a trusted trader Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accredited and will employ the latest border technology, such as number plate recognition.
