London Container Terminal stands on the north bank of the River Thames just 22 nautical miles east of central London and is the closest deep water container port to the city. The Terminal’s strategic location is ideal for connecting the UK and London with the rest of the world. The terminal is just minutes from the M25 orbital motorway and offers daily rail freight links to strategic freight hubs enabling UK wide connectivity. Our proximity to 18 million people within 75 miles also means connections with customers can be made with fewer lorry miles and reduced carbon emissions. LCT handles both deep-sea and shortsea containerships across berths inside the dock and at the deep-water riverside berth, which have depths alongside to 13.7m. The terminal has total of 1.72km of berthage and will accommodate vessels of up to 10,000 teus.
Directions
SAT NAV: RM18 7HX
- From M25 join A13
- Use the left lane to take the A1089 slip road to Tilbury Docks
- Continue onto Dock Approach Rd/A1089
- At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto St Andrew’s Rd/A1089
- Take next right and pass through Port of Tilbury Main Gate
- At the roundabout, take the second exit and follow road around the port to London Container Terminal gate
- Follow signage and traffic light system through canopy security to reach terminal grid and terminal offices
Terminal Layout
Marine Information
Max Vessel:
10,000 TEU with 19 container bay width
Water Depth:
Outer quay has a 13.3m upper, 10.8m middle and 11.9m lower max depth alongside
Inner quay allows max 8.8m draft at 41 berth – for latest depth contact London Container Terminal
Lock:
Max 262m LOA, 32.3m beam and 10.5m draft
Quay:
1,720m total length
Tides:
No tides within the enclosed dock. River Thames tidal range is max rise and fall of 7m and max current of 3.5 knots.
Bunkering:
Services are supplied by barge and arranged through ship’s agent, permission must be granted by the Port of Tilbury Duty Harbour Master.
Radio:
Manned 24 hours a day and listens on VHF channel 4 – call sign ‘Tilbury’, with channels 15 and 17 as the working channels.
Anchorage:
Sunk pilot, Southend and North East Spit Pilot Station off Margate.
Pilotage:
Compulsory for all vessels of 50 metres LOA and over navigating within the PLA pilotage area – in this instance between Sea Reach No1 Buoy and the Port of Tilbury. Pilotage is also compulsory for vessels over 80 metres LOA navigating between Sea Reach No 1 buoy and the Sunk and North East Spit pilot stations. Pilotage exemption certificates, subject to exclusion are issued by the Port of London Authority. Tel: +44 (0)1474 562200
Towage:
Available 24 hours per day, seven days a week
1. Svitzer Towage Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)3456 081346
2. Kotug Smit
Tel: +44 (0)1375 641288
Equipment
Rail
Our railhead located within London Container Terminal provides efficient turnaround of intermodal freight trains offering 24/7 capacity to handle maritime and domestic rail traffic in several modes: standard, refrigerated, bulk and tank containers. The integrated railhead enables seamless handling of cargo between vessels, storage yard and freight trains. The rail sidings are compatible with a straddle carrier operation which delivers the fastest train turnaround time obtainable. We have the infrastructure to handle the UK’s largest trains with a pad consisting of 4 rails ranging from 250-282 metres in length and extensive reception sidings for stabling and manoeuvring. The LCT rail terminal is a multi train operator open access facility. LCT offers scheduled services to the Midlands, Wales and Wakefield, as well as the ability to connect to continental Europe and the international rail network through the Channel Tunnel. For customers looking for rail connected warehousing the LCT railhead is adjacent to a 55,000 sq ft facility operated by Maritime Transport and is able to offer cross-docking and storage solutions. LCT is committed to facilitating greater take-up of greener transport links to and from the port which is why rail infrastructure will remain at the centre of terminal operations. LCT’s location, equipment and rail connectivity all adds up to a more sustainable supply chain solution.
Reefer Care
London Container Terminal is an essential trade hub for foodstuffs and temperature controlled cargos due to its specialist cold chain infrastructure at the centre of the UK’s largest consumer market. It is estimated that over 40% of everything eaten in the UK is imported so at LCT we recognise the importance of keeping food and drink cargo protected and moving. The terminal is recognised as a nationally significant import hub for fruit and vegetables shipping from Iberian and West African growing regions. As such LCT is equipped with over 1,400 reefer points and a specialist reefer team operating 365 days a year, using the latest temperature monitoring technology. We know that high quality cargo care and skilled staff are the important factors in successful fresh produce logistics. Adjacent to the terminal is the UK’s largest temperature controlled quayside warehouse operated by Culina providing fast, cost-effective handling for chilled produce including fruit juices and dairy products. London’s three iconic food markets – Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields are all moving to a new combined site for wholesale food on LCT’s doorstep in Dagenham, which ensures LCT will continue to be relied upon by the UK cold chain sector.
Border Control Post
London Container Terminal is equipped with an extensive and high-tech Border Control Post (BCP) for the examination of cargoes by Port Health, UKBA, Special Branch, Forestry Commission, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate and Trading Standards. Whilst assisting statutory bodies with outturns, we also offer services to our customers in loading and unloading of containers with through numerous cross-docking bays. The BCP operational area has extensive temperature controlled storage for the handling of frozen and chilled cargo and our staff work closely with the authorities to ensure that customer goods are attended to with the utmost care and speed.
OUT OF GAUGE CARGO HANDLING
London Container Terminal has vast experience with all types of Flat Rack (FR) and out of gauge (OOG) cargo including construction modules, yachts, military equipment, large industrial machinery, generators and heavy plant. We work with our customers to fully understand their shipments, then advise the best solution for handling the cargo. There are lashing and securing services available on site and an extensive support network with experience of preparing OOG cargo for transport. The terminal is also fully licensed to handle dangerous goods including classes 1 & 7. Our team places safety for all at the core of our operations and embrace this to the highest standard so be assured your cargo and transport providers are in safe hands.
HAZARDOUS CARGO HANDLING
London Container Terminal is licenced to handle all classes of dangerous goods in container form including ISO liquid bulk tank containers and Class 1 explosives. The terminals IMO licence details NEQ (class 1 quantities) acceptable on which berth and all Class 1 cargo shipments must be direct delivery to/from vessel via Police Escort. Ammonium Nitrate Derivatives shipped via container will also require direct delivery to/from vessel. All Dangerous Goods must be declared prior to their arrival at Port Limits in line with the requirements laid out in DGHAR 2016 and the IMDG Code.
For contact details click below:
Resources & Downloads
