CMA CGM to Set Up Cold Storage Facility at London Gateway

The CMA CGM and DP World teams after the agreement for lease is signed at a ceremony in London. Photo credit: DP World

French shipping giant CMA CGM has reached a long-term agreement with DP World London Gateway on the lease of a 107,155 sq ft climate-controlled warehouse to be built at the logistics part located on the Thames River outside of London.

CMA CGM says development of the facility will help it better serve its customers through the addition of new services such as quality control.

Under the agreement, CMA CGM will occupy a 1 hectare (2.47 acres) multi-temperate cold storage facility to be constructed on a 2.4-hectare plot development close to main road access into the London area.

The state-of-the-art facility will be fitted with IT traceability and management systems as part of CMA CGM Group’s strategy to develop not only a global range of products for the maritime transportation industry, but also for inland solutions and logistics, the company said in a statement.

“With this unique cold store, the Group will not only feature chilled and frozen chambers to handle a large variety of temperature-controlled products but it will also offer customers a wide range of added value services such as, product quality controls, packing, sorting, labeling, palletization or bagging. It will also offer customs clearance, shunting (transfer from the quay to the warehouse) and delivery transportation (last-mile delivery),” according to a press release announcing the agreement.

CMA CGM Group, the world’s second-largest carrier of reefer containers, is currently bringing cargo through DP World London Gateway Port on seven services, including a large number of refrigerated containers arriving from the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, India and South America. Over the last two months, the shipping company has consolidated much of its UK-bound temperature-controlled cargo, mostly originating in the Southern Hemisphere, to come through DP World London Gateway Port.

“The group is already bringing a significant amount of cargo through the port and this is an exciting next step in the product and service CMA CGM can offer its customers,” said Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of DP World UK. “We’re proud to have worked with such a key customer on a project which will without doubt increase supply chain efficiencies and add value.”

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up