DP World invests $217m in automated container system at London

DP World is investing $217 million in advanced container handling technology at its London Gateway logistics hub, marking a significant step in port automation and digitalisation. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to driving innovation across its global network, including its growing operations in India.

The centrepiece of this investment is the new Empty Superstack, developed by BOXBAY, a joint venture between DP World and Germany’s SMS group. Using High Bay Storage (HBS) technology, the system can store 20- and 40-foot empty containers up to 16 tiers high inside a fully enclosed, automated facility. This technology is expected to improve yard capacity, safety, and efficiency while reducing rehandling and truck turnaround time, an advancement that could influence similar upgrades at Indian ports where DP World operates.

The BOXBAY system is fully electric and operates through automated stacker cranes that retrieve and deliver containers with precision. Integrated seamlessly into existing port systems, the modular Empty Superstack eliminates the need for changes to landside or seaside interfaces. By removing multiple tiers of empty containers from the stacking yard, the system allows automated cranes to perform more efficiently and sustainably.

The facility, being installed at London Gateway’s all-electric Berth 4, will hold up to 27,000 TEU and is expected to be completed in just over two years. According to DP World, the technology will deliver substantial gains in safety, operational performance, and environmental sustainability.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said the BOXBAY technology represents a leap forward in container storage, combining scalability, automation, and sustainability. Stephen Whittingham, Executive Vice President, North Europe, added that the investment would boost reliability, reduce truck visit times, and create a safer, smarter working environment.

Proven during extensive trials at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, where nearly 500,000 TEU were handled, the BOXBAY system’s modular and energy-regenerative design positions it as one of the most advanced container handling systems in the world.

As DP World continues to strengthen its logistics network in India and other markets, the introduction of BOXBAY’s Empty Superstack at London Gateway highlights the company’s broader vision to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety across the global port industry.