Warehousing & Logistics in London
Find and compare verified warehouse, 3PL, and transport providers across London / South East England — where the M25 (orbital), M1, M11 meet.
About London
London is the UK's largest consumer market with over 9 million residents and the economic engine of the South East. The city's logistics operations run from world-class port infrastructure on the Thames Estuary to dense urban last-mile networks.
DP World London Gateway is the UK's largest integrated logistics facility. Its deep-water container port handled more than 3 million TEU in 2025 with a new second rail terminal under construction. The adjacent logistics park spans 9.25 million sq ft. Occupiers include DHL, CEVA Logistics, COSCO, Currys and UPS. A £1 billion port expansion is underway with two new all-electric berths that will make it Britain's largest container port.
Thames Freeport, centred on London Gateway, Port of Tilbury and Ford Dagenham, provides tax breaks, customs benefits and simplified planning procedures. Port of Tilbury handles 16 million tonnes of cargo annually across 31 terminals.
Within Greater London, Park Royal is the capital's largest industrial estate. Enfield, Barking and Dagenham and the Lea Valley corridor provide significant logistics capacity. The western M4/Heathrow corridor supports air freight operations. Urban micro-fulfilment is growing rapidly. The London market is defined by premium rents, constrained land supply and intense competition for logistics space.
Why this region
London Gateway - UK Largest Integrated Logistics Facility
DP World London Gateway combines a deep-water container port that handled more than 3 million TEU in 2025, 60+ weekly rail services and a 9.25 million sq ft logistics park. The park sits inside Thames Freeport, providing customs benefits and tax relief. New builds receive planning consent in under 28 days via a new 10-year Local Development Order approved in March 2025. A £1 billion expansion is adding two new all-electric berths and a second rail terminal, making London Gateway the UK's largest container port by the end of this decade. Tenants include DHL, CEVA Logistics (whose new Chill Hub cold chain facility opened in early 2025), COSCO, Currys and UPS.
UK Largest Consumer Market
Greater London has over 9 million residents, making it the UK's largest and most concentrated consumer market. The city accounts for around 23% of UK GDP and household spending per head is the highest in the country. For e-commerce businesses and brands requiring same-day or next-day delivery, proximity to London is irreplaceable. The capital also hosts the UK's largest concentration of luxury retail, financial services firms, pharmaceutical companies and hospitality groups, each with distinct logistics requirements. Whether you need urban micro-fulfilment, last-mile delivery, refrigerated distribution or bonded warehousing, London is the single most valuable logistics location in the UK.
Thames Freeport - Tax, Customs and Planning Advantages
Thames Freeport covers London Gateway, Port of Tilbury and Ford Dagenham across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Thurrock. Businesses operating within the Freeport benefit from reduced customs duties, enhanced capital allowances and simplified regulatory procedures. London Gateway handles over 50% of the UK's deep-sea temperature-controlled imports. Ford Dagenham is part of the Freeport as London's largest manufacturing site, producing diesel engines for global commercial vehicle markets. The Hive, a £13 million 29,000 sq ft innovation and skills hub at London Gateway Logistics Park, opened in early 2026 and supports over 1,100 trainees annually with industrial and employability skills programmes.
Multimodal - Ports, Rail, Air and Road
London offers the UK's most complete multimodal logistics network. At sea, DP World London Gateway handled more than 3 million TEU in 2025, while Port of Tilbury processes 16 million tonnes per year across 31 terminals. For air cargo, Heathrow is the UK's busiest cargo airport, handling 1.58 million tonnes in 2024, supported by Gatwick and Stansted. The M25, M1, M4 and other radial motorways give road access to all parts of the UK. Rail services from London Gateway and Tilbury connect the port complex to major inland distribution points. HS1 provides a direct Channel Tunnel freight link for European supply chains.
Global Gateway for Trade and Air Freight
Heathrow is the UK's busiest cargo airport, handling 1.58 million tonnes of freight in 2024, a 10.4% year-on-year increase. That cargo facilitated £215.6 billion in trade during the year, with North America volumes up 14.7% and Asia-Pacific up 14.3%. London is the UK's primary gateway for international commerce, connecting to over 200 destinations. For businesses importing from Asia-Pacific or North America, London Gateway and Heathrow offer port-to-warehouse times that no other UK location can match. For pharmaceutical, fashion, luxury goods or time-critical shipments, London's proximity to global air routes is unmatched.
Logistics capacity availability
Overview of warehousing and transport capacity across the region
Warehouse market overview
London's warehouse market is the UK's largest by value but most constrained by land. Within Greater London, Park Royal is the capital's largest industrial estate. Enfield, Barking and Dagenham, the Lea Valley corridor and Croydon provide significant capacity. Competing land uses continue to shrink logistics stock inside the M25. Growth lies in the Thames Estuary. DP World London Gateway has a 9.25 million sq ft logistics park with planning consent, half now developed. Build-to-suit from 20,000 to 1.6 million sq ft, with all new builds completed to BREEAM Outstanding standard. Port of Tilbury handles 16 million tonnes across 31 terminals and expanded its Ro-Ro capacity on the Rotterdam route in 2025. Heathrow and the M4 corridor serve air freight logistics in west London. North London distribution follows the M25/M1 corridor. Multi-storey warehousing is emerging as a response to constrained land supply. Rents are the highest in the UK, particularly inside the M25, where prime logistics space reached £25-35 per sq ft by late 2025. Thames Freeport offers more competitive rates with port-centric advantages.
New developments
- DP World London Gateway expansion: £1 billion investment. Two new all-electric berths. Second rail terminal. Construction started 2025, four-year programme. - London Gateway Logistics Park: 9.25 million sq ft total. Half now developed. New 10-year LDO approved March 2025. Build-to-suit 20,000-1.6 million sq ft in 28 days. - The Hive: £13 million, 29,000 sq ft innovation and skills hub at London Gateway. Opened early 2026. Supports 1,125+ trainees per year. - Port of Tilbury: EV charging hub (5MW, 16 rapid bays). Ro-Ro capacity expanded on Rotterdam route (P&O Ferries, +60% capacity, 2025). - Multi-storey warehousing: Emerging across inner London in response to land scarcity.
Transport capacity
London has the UK's deepest and most varied logistics operator market. Every major global 3PL and national carrier operates extensive London networks. The last-mile delivery market is among the most competitive in Europe, with high demand driving rapid growth in electric vehicle fleets to comply with ULEZ and Low Emission Zone requirements. Port-centric logistics at London Gateway and Tilbury is served by specialist container hauliers, freight forwarders and customs brokers, many of which hold Freeport accreditation. The 3PL market spans global contract logistics to boutique fashion fulfilment, temperature-controlled distribution and pharmaceutical storage. Bonded warehousing and customs management are well served given London's status as a primary UK import gateway. Air freight forwarding clusters around Heathrow, with a full range of express and general cargo services. The market for urban consolidation and micro-fulfilment is growing as retailers seek faster delivery windows across the capital.
Specialist capabilities
port-centric logistics, deep-water container handling, Freeport customs zones, last-mile delivery, urban micro-fulfilment, air freight (Heathrow), cold chain, fashion/luxury logistics, pharmaceutical, bonded warehousing, Channel Tunnel rail freight, multi-storey warehousing
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FAQs
Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions from transport businesses, hauliers & couriers. If you can't find the answer to your question, check out our FAQs page or contact the team.
DP World London Gateway is the UK's largest integrated logistics facility, located 25 miles from central London on the Thames Estuary. Its deep-water port handled more than 3 million TEU in 2025, with 60+ weekly rail services and a 9.25 million sq ft logistics park inside Thames Freeport. A £1 billion expansion is adding two new berths and a second rail terminal.
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