A state-of-the-art food distribution centre opening later this year could create more than 500 jobs at Tilbury port. The planned 230,000 sq ft building, which could become one of the biggest temperature-controlled facilities in Europe, is a long-term investment partnership between the port and the NFT, a market leader in chilled food distribution. It will be built next to London Container Terminal, which already handles more than 500,000 containers every year. The distribution centre will have room for 25,000 pallets and be able to handle more than 2.5 million cases per week. Tilbury-owners Forth Ports

Limited say the new centre will benefit from the latest distribution technology and be a perfect fit for operations at the port.

Charles Hammond, Forth Ports group chief executive, said: “This is a very significant announcement for the Port of Tilbury and we are delighted to be working with NFT to create one of the largest temperature-controlled facilities in Europe at our port. This new distribution centre will be at the heart of the logistics process and support NFT’s goal to ensure a seamless experience for their major customers in the UK.

Television’s Gloria Hunniford officially names Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Magellan cruise ship at an onboard ceremony.
The Loose Women star Christened the ship after it arrived at London Cruise Terminal, Tilbury. It has room for 1,250 guests and has two

restaurants, as well as lounges, a spa, gym and on-deck pool.

Guests at the naming event were treated to a spectacular Latin American dance display, meal and fireworks at the port event in March. A day or so later, Magellan set off on her maiden voyage to Iceland.

A new intercontinental container service route hints at encouraging growth in the UK construction market – according to shipping chiefs.

The agreement, which involves the shipment of steel and paper products between London, Spain and Belgium was launched by JSV Logistic and London Container Terminal (LCT) last month. The plan will include a weekly port rotation of Pasaia, Tilbury, Europe’s third-biggest port Antwerp and Pasaia again.

Welcoming the new service, LCT head of commercial Angela Black said: "We are delighted to welcome JSV and their new service to London Container Terminal. This announcement signals growth in the UK construction market with the import of steel to the port and we are delighted to be forming a new strategic alliance with the Port of Pasaia.

“As London's major port, we are unrivalled in our connectivity in the south east of UK and provide strong supply chain services to our customers at the Port.”

Antonio Herzog of JSV Logistic said his company was focusing its growth on the British market. “The link between Tilbury and Pasaia offers new opportunities to the companies in both hinterlands, who will benefit from our wide array of equipment”, he added.

Port of Pasaia president Ricardo Pena described Tilbury Port welcomed the news, describing Tilbury port as a “major gateway” to the south east and London.