Global legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Dubai-based DP World, one of the world’s largest port developers and operators, on the development of London Gateway, the brownfield, £1.5 billion, 1,500 acre port and logistics park on the north bank of the Thames, in Thurrock, Essex.
The first container ship docked during the early hours of Thursday November 7, making London Gateway the first new port to open in the UK for over 20 years. A second berth is expected to open next April, with a third expected to be operational by the end of 2014.
Once fully developed, it will be the UK’s largest container port and the adjoining 700 acre logistics park will be Europe’s largest, capable of handling 3.5 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers annually, and the world’s largest container ships. The facility is 25 miles east of London and will allow importers to land their goods closer to the UK’s largest area of consumption, London and the South East.
The Norton Rose Fulbright team has been advising on the development since its inception, almost 14 years ago, originally advising P&O on the project prior to the acquisition of P&O by Dubai Ports in 2006.
The team has advised on all aspects of the development, led by London head of real estate David Sinclair. Other leading members of the team included Julian Plescia, who was seconded to London Gateway, partners David Hawkins and Neil Biswas, consultant Peter Taylor and senior associate Tom Taylor (real estate), partner Caroline May and senior associate Lucy Bruce-Jones (environment), partner Nigel Hewitson and associate Nick Walker (planning), partners Mark Lloyd Williams and Chris Randall (corporate), partners Nick Pincott and Donald Warnock (power and construction), of counsel Totis Kotsonis (procurement), consultant John Challoner (tax) and partner Philip Roche (dispute resolution).
David Sinclair, London head of real estate, Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:
“We have been advising on this development since its inception, almost 14 years ago, and it has been a tremendously exciting and complex project to support. Now open, London Gateway has the potential to transform the UK logistics market and will bring significant commercial and environmental benefits to the local and wider communities as well as promoting more efficient UK trade.”
London Gateway is one of a number of major development projects Norton Rose Fulbright’s London office is advising on, including advising the Malaysian consortium developing the iconic Battersea Power Station.
