The Port of London is at the centre of one of Europe's most prosperous market, with over 23 million people living wihtin a three-hour drive of the port. London continues to play a crucial role in the economy and wellbeing of the south east region, as well as regions further afield. Not only isit the UK's largest port and the largest in the south-east by volume but it is the largest port in the UK for non-fuel cargoes.
Volumes through the Port of London are estimated to have increased in 2005 to a total of 53.8 million tonnes. Year-on-year, this represented a rise of one per cent – growth on a more modest scale than in 2004, but this was achieved despite a drop in volumes in some key sectors and shows the strength in the diversity of the Port’s trade.
The Port of London plays a pivotal role in thousands of supply chains, with a huge variety of cargoes handled by more than 70 independently operated wharves, terminals and port facilities along the tidal River Thames.
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is a Public Trust – primarily responsible for the safety of navigation on the Thames from Teddington in west London out to the sea, a distance of 150 kilometres, where there are more than 30,000 commercial vessel and 200,000 leisure craft movements a year. The PLA does not operate any of the cargo handling facilities that make up the Port of London but supports the operations of others in its role as statutory harbour, pilotage, navigation and conservancy authority for the tidal Thames.
The PLA works in the interests of all stakeholders – including commercial port operators, shipping operations, leisure users, the local community and all those with an interest in the tidal Thames.
By the end of 2005 the PLA employed a total of 360 staff. Included in this total are pilots, Vessel Traffic Services operators (VTS) and personnel employed afloat in marine and harbour services. The workforce includes professional support and administrative staff.
Last year saw investment and expansion by many terminal operators along the Thames, with the PLA also making major investments in order to maintain and improve its services and facilities.
A recent report highlighted the huge economic contribution made by the Port of London to the capital and surrounding regions, showing that the Port generates over 35,000 full-time jobs and contributes £3.4 billion to the economy each year.
London is now looking forward to the development of the London Gateway Port at the former Shell Haven refinery site, following conditional approval of P&O Ports’ plans by the Secretary of State. This development has the potential to double volumes through the
Port of London.
The PLA and Port community are also preparing to play their part in the London Olympics in 2012. In advance of the Games, the Thames provides the ideal way to move materials and bulk soil involved with the construction of the Olympic facilities. In addition, during the event itself the River offers the opportunity of accommodating cruise ships as ‘floating hotels’ near the key event sites, and transporting spectators, and others between Olympic venues by passenger boat.