DP World London Chooses CUF Operator

DP World London Chooses CUF Operator

DP World London Gateway has chosen Import Services Ltd. to be operator and manager of the Common User Facility (CUF) now being built at London Gateway Logistics Park.


The steelwork for the first phase of the 386,000 sq ft multi-purpose cargo handling centre is nearly complete and the development is on target to open in Q2 2015.

Southampton-based Import Services will initially take on a portion of the new development and provide a menu of logistics services and activities on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. Services will range from basic devanning to cross-docking, storage and value-added activities such as pick-and-pack, labelling, pre-retail and distribution.

“While household retail names have the option to develop their own dedicated buildings on the 9m sq ft logistics park, we intend to make sure that the port-centric and market-centric benefits of using London Gateway are accessible to all, irrespective of size, including cargo owners, freight forwarders and 3PLs.

However, even the larger operators have recognised the benefits of using the Common User Facility because it enables them to further optimise their supply chain by back-loading into their existing networks,” said Peter Ward, DP World London Gateway’s head of supply chain.

DP World London Gateway and Import Services have been working together to develop the fit-out of the CUF building and establish the day-to-day processes such as internal shunting of containers from the port’s quayside to the logistics park.

In a video interview announcing the development, Mike Thomas, client services director, Import Services, said: “Operating the Common User Facility will enable Import Services to launch a twin port strategy, replicating our port-centric logistics model in Southampton to facilitate growth for both our existing and new clients at DP World London Gateway.”

[mappress]
Press Release, October 03, 2014