London Gateway appears to be on course to become the UK’s largest container port within the next couple of years, after setting a new throughput record in 2025 and significantly narrowing the gap with long-time market leader Felixstowe.

According to a recent report, the Essex-based port handled more than 3m teu in 2025, driven by the opening of its fourth berth and the introduction of new vessel calls on the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia–Europe services. Reaching the 3m teu milestone represents growth of more than 52% year on year, compared with 1.9m teu handled in 2024.

While the Port of Felixstowe does not officially publish throughput figures, it is widely believed to have handled around 3.6m teu in 2024. With Maersk switching its Asia–North Europe Gemini services to London Gateway, and MSC adding its own supplementary calls at the port, the difference in volumes between the two ports appears to have narrowed considerably.

Elsewhere, the Port of Southampton surpassed 2m teu in 2025. Together, DP World-owned London Gateway and Southampton handled more than 5m teu in a UK container market estimated at just over 9m teu for the year.

London Gateway is also partway through a £1bn expansion programme, due for completion by the end of the decade. The project will see the port expanded from four to six berths, further increasing its capacity and long-term competitiveness.

However, the rapid growth has not been without challenges. Rising throughput has contributed to increased congestion and longer vessel waiting times. These issues were particularly acute in June and July, when a combination of IT and power outages, alongside a rail incident, resulted in significant container backlogs and operational delays.

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