Growth plans have been unveiled by the Port of Tilbury’s owners, Forth Ports, to further expand the Thames-based port and industrial complex as it submits an outline planning application to Thurrock Council to redevelop a 100-acre brownfield site located immediately adjacent to Tilbury2 (T2) to support its major markets.

The 100-acre site (the size of 70 football pitches), will create a new port area, to be called Tilbury3 (T3) which, as part of the Thames Freeport, will benefit from tax site incentives to bring investment, trade and jobs to the area.

The planning proposals for T3 can accommodate a range of activities including general industrial storage, warehousing and processing; a construction material and aggregate terminal; container handling and storage; and vehicle storage.

This section of brownfield land is part of the old Tilbury Power Station site and sits adjacent to T2 allowing T3 to share the same vehicle access as T2, connecting to the strategic highway network, and access to the existing river and the rail freight network.

If approved by Thurrock Council, the Port of Tilbury will submit a detailed planning application and will provide the layout, scale and appearance information in further detail, as well as building on the current EIA submitted with the outline consent application, considering the specific environmental aspects of the area. As with other local developments at T2 and the London Distribution Park (LDP), the Port of Tilbury has identified the specific areas of ecological interest in the site area and will implement a similar habitat creation strategy for protected species. This will build on the Port/s success in delivering biodiversity net gain through its developments.

Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports Group, said: “This is an exciting time for the Port of Tilbury as we submit our plans for Tilbury3 which form part of our growth investment strategy to expand our operations in support of our customer’s growth markets in renewable power, recycling and logistics. T3 will sustain existing roles and create many new jobs; contribute to the local economy; and future proof the Port of Tilbury in supporting the economies of Greater London and the South East.”

Martin Whiteley, CEO of Thames Freeport said: “The Port of Tilbury is a central economic site in the Thames Freeport and its plans to expand Tilbury3 will boost growth and create new good value jobs for local people.  The new development at Tilbury will further support the Thames Freeport ambition to attract international investment and enable regeneration of local communities.”

The proposed delivery of T3 would be phased, with works starting in 2026 with a target of being fully operational by 2030.

15 May 2025                                 -ends-