DP World's London Gateway container volumes surged by more than 50% in 2025, setting a new annual record and marking a watershed moment for the UK’s fastest-growing deep-sea port.
The dramatic rise confirms DP World's London Gateway and Southhamption terminals complex as a central hub for global trade at a time when shipping lines and cargo owners are reshaping supply chains to improve reliability and cut costs.
Operators said the increase reflects a combination of new services, higher vessel call frequency, and sustained demand from retailers and manufacturers seeking direct access to the UK market.
The port handled its highest-ever number of three million containers over the calendar year, comfortably surpassing the previous record and accelerating a growth trend that has been building since the pandemic years.
Stephen Whittingham, Executive Vice President – North Europe, DP World, said: “Every container that moves through our terminals at London Gateway and Southampton is moving goods that underpin British business and daily life, from food on our shelves to products keeping manufacturers and high streets running.
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"Our UK infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping these supply chains running quickly and efficiently, especially during the busiest times of the year.
“Surpassing five million TEUs at our UK terminals demonstrates how investment in capacity, technology and resilience is allowing DP World to move goods more reliably, sustainably and efficiently from ship to shop, continuing to raise the standard for end‑to‑end logistics.”
Industry sources point to London Gateway’s ability to accommodate the world’s largest container ships as a key factor behind the surge. Its deep-water berths and high levels of automation have made it increasingly attractive to major shipping alliances, many of which expanded or upgraded services into the port during 2025.
The record year was also supported by improvements in landside connectivity. Rail volumes rose sharply, with a growing share of containers moving inland by train rather than road. This helped ease congestion, improve turnaround times, and appeal to customers under pressure to reduce carbon emissions across their logistics networks.
Retail imports were a major contributor to the growth, driven by strong consumer demand and inventory rebuilding after several years of disruption. At the same time, exporters increased usage of the port for outbound cargo, including food, drink, and manufactured goods, benefiting from more frequent sailings and better schedule reliability.
Port officials said productivity gains played a crucial role. Investments in new cranes, yard equipment, and digital systems allowed London Gateway to handle higher volumes without compromising service levels. Average vessel turnaround times improved over the year, even as throughput climbed sharply.
The strong performance comes against a backdrop of wider change in UK port traffic patterns. Cargo owners have increasingly favored ports offering scale, automation, and direct access to mainline services, rather than relying on feeder connections via continental hubs.
London Gateway’s location, close to the UK’s largest consumer markets, has amplified that advantage.
In further investment in its UK operations, DP World Southampton is scheduled to receive the first of its new quay cranes later this year, which will form the tallest quay crane fleet in Europe, as part of a £60m investment to futureproof operations at the Solent terminal.
Looking ahead, further growth is expected. Additional capacity is planned, and discussions are ongoing with shipping lines about new services and expanded calls. If demand holds, 2025 may prove to be not just a record year, but a turning point in London Gateway’s evolution from a fast-growing newcomer into a cornerstone of UK container logistics.
For now, the numbers tell a clear story: London Gateway has arrived as a major force in global shipping, and 2025 will be remembered as the year it firmly set a new benchmark.
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