Go ahead for UK’s first major port for more than 25 years.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a ‘Harbour Empowerment Order’ to London Gateway, which enables official and statutory powers to the new port. Construction work will begin later this year on the 1,850 acre (750 ha) site, just 25 miles (40 km) from central London, near Stanford-le-Hope, South Essex.

More than £1.5bn (US$3bn) is being privately invested by London Gateway’s owners, DP World. The project is currently the largest capital investment initiative in the UK and will become the largest employment creation project in the country.

Mohammed Sharaf DP World’s CEO said, “The UK Government’s approval of the Harbour Empowerment Order represents a significant milestone for the project and will allow us to progress with the development.”