U.K. inland container service operator Pentalver opened a new five-acre site at the U.K.’s newest deep sea container port, DP World London Gateway, the London Port Authority announced.
Plans for the site – which will be built in two phases – were revealed in January and position Pentalver as the largest container service operator at the port. The new yard, located adjacent to the port’s main gate, can be expanded to nine acres over the coming years.
Pentalver has been providing empty storage, dry repair and reefer services at its temporary premises at DP World London Gateway since April 2014.
From its new site, Pentalver will offer a full range of services to vessels being handled at the terminal, including cargo handling, transport, loaded storage, empty storage, reefer services, maintenance and container refurbishment.
Chris Lawrenson, managing director at Pentalver, said, “The opening of our permanent facility at DP World London Gateway is a significant development in the strategic future of Pentalver. With phase one now officially open, the facility will play a key role in boosting our national service offering and fulfilling our obligation to respond to the needs of customers at U.K. locations of their choice.”
Lawrenson continued, “Throughout the development of our new premises we have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship with DP World London Gateway and look forward to working in partnership with them as our business grows and we enter the second phase of our development plans.”
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World, said, “We have been impressed by the efficiency and service provided by Pentalver and we are delighted that the permanent site is now ready for business.
“DP World London Gateway’s port has been open for 22 months and last week we officially opened the DP World London Gateway Logistics Center, the first distribution center on our logistics park.
“Being the closest deep-sea container port to two-thirds of the U.K. market, DP World London Gateway is already in a prime location. With the combination of the world class port with cutting edge technology, adjacent to what will become Europe’s largest logistics park, we are delivering new standards in efficiency and reliability. Since opening our landside operations, we have never stopped serving trucks due to bad weather; this is just one example of how we are setting new standards for supply chains.
“Pentalver provides important services to our customers and their commitment to opening a permanent base here emphasizes the strategic importance of this port and its role in streamlining and de-risking supply chains.”