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Port of Tilbury (UK) - Port of Tilbury London Ltd (ID: 14245)
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Forth Ports's PLC acquisition of Tilbury in 1995 took the company outside its Scottish base and transformed it in a single stroke into one of the powerhouses of the British private port industry. Tilbury is one of the key gateways to London and the Southeast and boasts transport links which throw a shadow over a large section of hinterland Britain. It has many advantages - its location in the prosperous South East, close to London, with 30 million people living within a 140-kilometre radius, its direct links to the UK's motorway network, its wide customer base, broad range of cargo handling operations and highly skilled workforce. What is more, the many shipping lines which call from all over the world have for a number of years established Tilbury as a hub of international dimensions. Tilbury has benefited from an investment of more than 70 million since joining the Forth Ports PLC Group in 1995. Containers, forest products, bulk grains: all have seen the benefits of the capital investment which a large port group committed to growth is prepared to make. Among the high profile investments is the establishment of Tilbury's new Finnish Terminal for the import of newsprint and other paper products. Nowadays, simply 'being a port' is no longer enough. Customers are looking for a complete logistics solution - sea, road and rail links backed up by top quality warehousing, consolidation, re-packing, stock control, distribution, just-in-time delivery, real-time information and total service packages. Tilbury is developing swiftly into a genuine freight distribution hub, offering cost-effective total distribution packages to its customers. It is achieving that through a pro-active, customer-orientated marketing strategy and close liaison with haulage companies and other sectors. The aim is to work in partnership with potential and existing customers to create overall cost savings while still offering a quality service. A clear advantage to customers seeking northern, e.g. Grangemouth and Leith, and southern distribution points is that they can make arrangements with just one company - a sort of 'package deal' - to cover both areas. Sophisticated information technology systems are a key part of an efficient port in the 21st century, and the Port of Tilbury continues to invest heavily in hardware and software to keep ahead in this fast-moving discipline. In this regard Tilbury has probably become the only port to give its container customers the choice of using either of the UK's two major customs clearance systems - Community Network Services (CNS) or Felixstowe's Maritime Cargo Processing System (MCPS). Delivering a quality service requires not only the best facilities and equipment but also a highly skilled, properly trained and well-motivated workforce. At the Port of Tilbury, there is great emphasis on training and updating of skills, and comprehensive training programmes are in place. Tilbury's Freeport status continues to offer important advantages to many importers. The entire port complex at Tilbury, totalling over 325 hectares, falls within the Freeport boundary. Companies storing goods at Tilbury under Freeport rules can enjoy significant cash-flow benefits. They can defer the payments of VAT and duty until those goods are removed from the Port by vehicle, at which point they officially become imports. In this way, stock can be held tax-free and secure within the port until they are needed, often ready for delivery on a just-in-time (JIT) basis. This also avoids the need for double handling into a separate storage area. Goods can be processed or handled within the Freeport without incurring customs duties, so opening up opportunities for value-added activities within the port area. Freeport status offers an excellent solution to the problems of seasonal fluctuations, where cargoes are subject to quota. Cargo owners can also import a consignment of goods into the Freeport and later re-export these without paying duty or VAT; Freeport status makes transhipment easier, thanks to a simplified paperwork procedure agreed with UK Customs. A simple Freeport user's guide is available to explain all the steps necessary to take advantage of this facility. Tilbury's Freeport status continues to offer important advantages to many importers. The entire port complex at Tilbury, totalling over 325 hectares, falls within the Freeport boundary. Companies storing goods at Tilbury under Freeport rules can enjoy significant cash-flow benefits. They can defer the payments of VAT and duty until those goods are removed from the Port by vehicle, at which point they officially become imports. In this way, stock can be held tax-free and secure within the port until they are needed, often ready for delivery on a just-in-time (JIT) basis. This also avoids the need for double handling into a separate storage area. Goods can be processed or handled within the Freeport without incurring customs duties, so opening up opportunities for value-added activities within the port area. Freeport status offers an excellent solution to the problems of seasonal fluctuations, where cargoes are subject to quota. Cargo owners can also import a consignment of goods into the Freeport and later re-export these without paying duty or VAT; Freeport status makes transhipment easier, thanks to a simplified paperwork procedure agreed with UK Customs. A simple Freeport user's guide is available to explain all the steps necessary to take advantage of this facility. Information on Containers and Rail Access is found below. Rail Access Containers Tilbury is London's only container port handling in excess of 566,000 teus per annum. It is a thriving dynamic business which has expanded rapidly over recent years, forged a number of strategic alliances and working in partnership with a number of customers to create growth. The aim is to deliver a cost-effective total package at the same time as quality service. A huge range of shortsea and deepsea destinations is covered by the regular container services, increasing transhipment opportunities. All major trade areas are represented, with regular services to Mediterranean and Scandinavian countries, CIS and the Baltic states, South and West Africa, South America, North America (US and Canada), Australia and New Zealand. In addition, there are 10 sailings per week to Rotterdam via the UK's two major shortsea operators plus direct calls to Duiburg. Once at Tilbury, shipping lines benefit from the range of ancillary services and other core activities offered at the port which allow customers to broaden their own businesses and target new markets. Computers play an essential part in the efficient running of Tilbury's container operations. Significant investment has been made in IT systems linking into customers and tailored to their specific needs. Rail Access As environmental awareness has grown in the UK, governments have begun to promote the delivery of goods by rail as an alternative to road transport. Shippers are also looking at rail as an economical alternative, particularly for long distance, large quantity, high-density cargoes. Tilbury has moved with this trend, and already offers inland distribution services via its rail terminals. Back to Containers Port of Tilbury is approached via the River Thames and is some 40 km from Sea Reach No 1 Buoy. Pilotage The Port of London Authority's London Port Control Centre is responsible for all aspects of navigation and pilotage on the River Thames. Compulsory for all vessels of 50m L.O.A. and over navigating within the Port of London Authority pilotage area - in this instance between Sea Reach No 1 Buoy and the Port of Tilbury. Pilotage is also compulsory for vessels over 80m L.O.A. navigating between Sea Reach Buoy No 1 and the Sunk and North East Spit pilot stations. Pilotage exemption certificates are available on application to the PLA. Radio The harbour radio is manned 24 hours a day and listens on VHF Channel 16, with Channels 14 and 12 as the working channels for Port Control and Channel 4 for Port of Tilbury. Tides There are no tides within the enclosed dock. The tidal range in the River Thames is up to a maximum rise and fall of 7m. Towage Through towage is provided by Adsteam Ltd. Based at Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, the fleet of tugs is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Security The Port has its own dedicated Police Force, on duty 24 hours a day, backed up by an extensive closed circuit television camera system. Back to Index Anchorage Vessels for Port of Tilbury may anchor in any one of a number of areas, including: Sunk Pilot, Southend and North East Spit Pilot Station off Margate. Bunkers Bunkering services supplied by barge and arranged through ship's agent. Back to Index Container Terminal Separate facilities exist within the Port for handling deep sea and short sea containers. Back to Index Cruiseliners London International Cruise Terminal Location: Tilbury, 22 nautical miles downstream of Tower Bridge. Up to 2 vessels can be handled simultaneously. Minimum water depth: 10m Tower Bridge Upper Location: Central London, 200m upstream of Tower Bridge Maximum vessel size: 158m L.O.A. Minimum water depth: Approx. 6m Tower Bridge Tower Location: Central London, 200m downstream of Tower Bridge Maximum vessel size: 158m L.O.A. Minimum water depth: Approx. 6m Greenwich Ship Tier Location: 5 nautical miles downstream of Tower Bridge Maximum vessel size: 205m L.O.A. Minimum water depth: Approx. 8.5m General Cargo Quay length: over 3km Storage capacity: 53 hectares of which 23 hectares are covered. Depth of water: 10.8m - 11.6m. Equipment: A wide range required to handle each product. Hours of working: 0600 Monday - 2200 Friday. (Outside these hours by special arrangement) Back to Index Grain Terminal Main deepwater jetty Quay length: 275m Depth of water: 12.8m Equipment: x2 - 1,000 tonnes per hour marine legs, with supplementary pneumatic booms. Grain weighed automatically at discharge. Inner loading berth Quay length: 137m Depth of water: 9.0m Equipment: x6 - loading spouts of which four feed from silos at two X 1,000 tonnes per hour each and/or two directly overside from marine towers. Outer loading berth 1,000 tonnes per hour to deepsea bulk carriers Coaster discharge jetty Grain is transported from the Terminal Jetty using a system of conveyor belts. Cargoes can be loaded and discharged at rates of up to 2,000 tonnes an hour. Silo storage capacity is 100,000 tonnes. Hours of work: 0700 Monday - 2100 Friday. (Outside these hours by special arrangement.) Port of Tilbury is approached via the River Thames and is some 40 km from Sea Reach No 1 Buoy. Port of Tilbury (UK) - Port of Tilbury London Ltd