Port of Tilbury kicks off the summer with local performers at busy open day
Monday 13th May 2024
The Port of Tilbury’s community Open Day, held on Saturday 11th May was a great success with local performers, market stalls and red bus port tours. Hundreds of local people of all ages arrived at the sunny London Cruise Terminal for a day of events.
The event was organised by the Forth Ports team but was supported by volunteers from Thurrock and Tilbury. Over £600 was raised for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as they celebrated their 200th anniversary.
The free events throughout the day included a sold-out vintage bus port tour and a new makers market which proved to be a great addition to the open day. Families also enjoyed face painting, crafts, and a competitive penalty shoot-out!
Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director from The Port of Tilbury said: “We had a fantastic day on Saturday as we once again opened our port doors to the local community. The day was enjoyed by everyone involved including our very own teams and their families. We are so grateful to have such a supportive community around us and would like to thank everyone who attended.”
Labour Leader and Shadow Chancellor visit the Port of Tilbury
Thursday 23rd November 2023
Today (23 November), Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, toured the Port of Tilbury to see first-hand the importance of building infrastructure to generate growth in the UK.
During the overview of London’s major port and its expansion plans, both politicians also received a briefing on the supply chain demands across some of the country’s fast-developing sectors, including offshore wind, hydrogen and sustainable fuels.
The team discussed how government and industry can work in partnership to create sustainable, well-paid jobs across the country through a strong industrial strategy.
As well as hearing the business’ plans for the future, Starmer and Reeves also met a group of apprentices at the forefront of the port’s important work. The port’s ongoing apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes aim to build the skills base to support rapidly growing business areas such as consumer goods, building materials and recyclables.
Forth Ports owns and operates The Port of Tilbury, alongside seven other commercial ports on the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay: Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy. The Port of Tilbury is the number one UK port for forestry products, construction materials, paper, grain and recyclables. The port has a strong market presence in bulk commodities, containers / trailers, cars (import and export) and cruise vessels.
Welcoming Labour’s top team to Tilbury where Forth Ports outlined their net zero mission, Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports Group (owner of the Port of Tilbury and Tilbury2), commented: “Ports are epicentres for the growing green economy. Our multi-million investment plan across our major ports – Tilbury, Burntisland, Leith, Grangemouth and Rosyth – will accelerate the nation’s path toward a decarbonised economy built upon low carbon logistics, low carbon fuels and low carbon power generation.”
Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “Here at Tilbury Port, I was struck by the scale of the operations, the scale of the group’s green ambitions and their commitment to develop young people into the managers of tomorrow. Meeting the apprentices, it’s clear how investment into the area will smash the class ceiling and break down the barriers to opportunity for young people.
“My Labour government will share ambition like the one I’ve seen here today, driving growth and the next generation of jobs through investment in the infrastructure needed to deliver clean power. My mission-driven Labour government will get Britain building to create jobs, and deliver a prosperous economy.”
Port of Tilbury hosts The National Lottery to reveal HMT Empire Windrush sculpture
Wednesday 1st November 2023
On the 30th October we had the honour of hosting the National Lottery to showcase their new HMT Empire Windrush wireframe structure created to celebrate Black History Month and Windrush 75.
The National Lottery raises more than £30 million every week for great causes across the UK, and this year, awarded £1.2 million of this to 140 community groups commemorating Windrush 75. This month they celebrated with a showcase of a wireframe recreation of HMT Empire Windrush right where Windrush arrived at the Port of Tilbury.
The structure which is called ‘The Life We Hold’ was created by Liam Hopkins of Lazerian Studios, in collaboration with abstract artist and creative designer Jade Pearl. The design incorporates portraits of five individuals who have been able to do amazing things for the Windrush generation with funding from The National Lottery.
The team at The Port of Tilbury were privileged to host this event with singer and presenter Scarlette Douglas revealing the amazing structure on our docks, alongside representatives from the various beneficiaries of the National Lottery Funding.
This year we have pulled out all the stops to recongise the 75th anniversary of Windrush and we continue to support anyone who wishes to do so.