Port operator DP World’s £1bn investment in the UK is set to go ahead, despite a recent controversy involving the company’s subsidiary, P&O Ferries. The announcement follows diplomatic efforts to smooth over tensions after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh urged a boycott of P&O Ferries, calling the firm a “rogue operator” for its controversial firing of 800 seafarers in March 2022.
The investment, which includes the expansion of London Gateway container port, was thrown into doubt after Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World, canceled his plans to attend a crucial UK investment summit.
The cancellation came after Haigh’s comments triggered concerns within DP World’s leadership, potentially jeopardizing the deal.
However, diplomatic intervention by UK ministers, including Sir Keir Starmer, helped to repair the strained relations. Starmer distanced the government from Haigh’s remarks, affirming that the government did not share her views.
This led to constructive discussions between DP World and government officials, allowing the investment to proceed as originally planned.
A spokesperson for DP World confirmed that bin Sulayem would now attend the investment summit, and the £1bn expansion of London Gateway, which includes two new berths and a second rail terminal, will be finalized. The project will double the port’s capacity to nearly four million containers annually and is expected to make it the UK’s largest port by volume within five years.
The investment will create 400 full-time jobs and brings the total amount spent on the facility to more than £3bn. The UK government has welcomed the deal, citing it as a strong vote of confidence in Britain’s economic future.
