DP World and Thames Freeport have acquired the foundation for the GBP13 million (US$17.4 million) Hive at London Gateway Logistics Park.
The resource and innovation hub is the latest investment in Thames Freeport’s mission to drive skills, innovation, and opportunity across the Thames Estuary, a 29,000 square meter facility that will serve as a new focal point for local businesses, workforce training, and community engagement.
It will provide flexible meeting rooms and a dedicated skills center for training and innovation, alongside a state-of-the-art gym, two sports pitches and food and beverage outlets.
The investment in the local community will provide more than 100 days of industrial skills and employability programs per year, supporting around 1,125 apprentices annually in Freeport and marks the latest collaboration between DP World and Thames Freeport.
Thames Freeport has been funded to build a shared infrastructure for skills and innovation across its three council areas – Barking & Dagenham, Havering, and Thurrock. The Hive will be an integral part of the joint venture with DP World to deliver a long-term positive impact on society.
Construction work on The Hive began in October and will be completed by March 2026. Built by Goldbeck Construction, it will have an ‘A+’ EPC rating and an ‘outstanding’ BREEAM certificate.
Alan Holland, Chief Executive Officer, DP World London Gateway Logistics Park, said: “Once completed, The Hive will transform businesses across the Thames Freeport, bringing together employers, regulators, investors and the wider community to create a vibrant skills and innovation hub around London Gateway.
“It will not only address the need for flexible and connected shared space at the heart of the Logistics Park, but will also support new jobs and continued economic growth in the region, enhancing our vital transport infrastructure.”
Stuart Rimmer, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Thames Freeport, added: “The Hive is an early investment in our wider plan to attract new global investment, create quality jobs, and develop the skills needed in the industries of the future.
“By combining world-class facilities with targeted training and innovation programmes, we are building the foundations for a successful, sustainable economy across Thames Freeport and we are delighted to be working with DP World to build this new facility.”
The Hive will sit at the heart of London Gateway’s 9.25 million square foot Logistics Park, part of which has now been developed and is supported by a 10-year LDO from Thurrock Council.
The continued growth of the Logistics Park is accompanied by a GBP1 billion (US$1.34 billion) expansion of the port and rail terminals. With two new power terminals and a second rail terminal currently under construction, it supports DP World’s vision to make London Gateway the UK’s largest container port.
