...firmly established as a leading purpose-built container terminal

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Our Background

Tilbury Container Services (TCS) was originally founded by joint owners Overseas Containers Ltd. and Associated Container Transportation (Australia) Ltd. in 1976. It was the first purpose-built container terminal to be established in the UK.

Improved capacity

The decision by the two companies to operate together facilitated the building of Northfleet Hope Berth in 1978. This offered many advantages, including:-

  • A facility that directly fronted the river, as opposed to the company’s previously enclosed berths
  • A combined quay length of some 600 metres, capable of handling two ships

The four cranes that originally serviced ships have been supplemented by new additions in 2001 and 2003, and we now have eight cranes, four of which have a 60-tonne twin-lift capacity, to meet the requirements of the terminal’s second riverside berth. The facility, air draught and outreach now far exceed earlier capacity.

An evolving environment

The terminal was initially designed to handle the large volume of blown-air reefer containers common to the Australian and New Zealand trade, and was equipped to handle 1000-plus containers at sub-zero temperatures. This capability made TCS the first choice for SAECS (South African Container Service) and the east coast S. American services. Whilst they still call at TCS, large modern ships – with integral reefer plugs and a capacity for 1300 40 ft. high cube containers – have replaced the older blown-air ships.

Adapting to changing demands

To meet these new requirements, TCS introduced a number of significant changes. These included:-

  • Replacing old blown air units with modern reefer installations offering ease of use, greater access and enhanced emergency maintenance
  • The introduction of a second riverside berth and cranes
  • A second enclosed dock berth
  • The replacement of its entire straddle fleet
  • Systematic upgrading terminal facilities and systems

A 21st Century facility

TCS is now firmly established as a leading purpose-built container terminal. Operations have increased in size in terms of volume, square footage and scale of activities, enabling it to compete successfully in a highly competitive market place and remain the first choice for some of the world’s leading container lines.