A Freeport, also known as a Free Trade Zone, is an economic enclave designed by governments to facilitate international trade and boost economic growth. These unique zones offer businesses a range of benefits and incentives, making them highly attractive locations for companies engaged in global commerce.
Thames Freeport is an economic zone located in the Thames Estuary, United Kingdom. It boasts excellent connectivity across the UK via road and rail, and it is also well-connected to European markets. With a number of opportunities for growth, Thames Freeport is a great place to start or expand your business.
Thames Freeport is strategically positioned along the River Thames in London. It offers easy access to Europe’s largest consumer market of 18 million people within 120 km and connects to over 130 ports in over 65 international markets. With its proximity to major transportation hubs and excellent connectivity by river, road, rail and sea, your products can reach consumers quicker and more cost effective than you expect.
The Thames Freeport includes the ports of Tilbury and DP World London Gateway, as well as Ford’s Dagenham plant. The tax sites within Thames Freeport are recognised by law as areas where businesses can benefit from tax reliefs to bring investment, trade, and jobs to regenerate regions across the country that need it most. The Thames Freeport has is expected to draw £4.5 billion of new investment and create 21,000 skilled jobs.
DP World London Gateway
DP World London Gateway is the UK’s largest and most integrated logistics facility, with a container port handling over 2 million units per year, a rail terminal with over 60 weekly services and a 9.25 million square foot, well connected, logistics park.
DP World London Gateway is the UK’s largest and most integrated logistics facility, with a container port handling over 2 million units per year, a rail terminal with over 60 weekly services and a 9.25 million square foot, well connected, logistics park.
Port of Tilbury
The Port of Tilbury is the largest of the Thames ports. Tilbury handles 16m tonnes of cargo per annum across 31 independent working terminals including the UK’s largest grain terminal and paper hub. The port is also a crucial logistics hub for construction, automotive and food & drink sectors. Cargo handling here is fast, smart and sustainable.
The Port of Tilbury is the largest of the Thames ports. Tilbury handles 16m tonnes of cargo per annum across 31 independent working terminals including the UK’s largest grain terminal and paper hub. The port is also a crucial logistics hub for construction, automotive and food & drink sectors. Cargo handling here is fast, smart and sustainable.
Ford Dagenham
Home to Ford Dagenham, the largest manufacturing site in London, this unique location gives access to regional manufacturing clusters, proximity to suppliers, and brings key production closer to the end market.
Home to Ford Dagenham, the largest manufacturing site in London, this unique location gives access to regional manufacturing clusters, proximity to suppliers, and brings key production closer to the end market.
Barking & Dagenham Council
The London borough of Barking and Dagenham Council is an integral partner in the Thames Freeport initiative, actively engaged in shaping several industrial clusters along the Thames Estuary. They are also represented on the Thames Freeport governing board.
The London borough of Barking and Dagenham Council is an integral partner in the Thames Freeport initiative, actively engaged in shaping several industrial clusters along the Thames Estuary. They are also represented on the Thames Freeport governing board.
Havering Council
Havering is a London borough in East London. It plays an active role in the regeneration of the region through its participation in the Thames Freeport as well as on the governing board.
Havering is a London borough in East London. It plays an active role in the regeneration of the region through its participation in the Thames Freeport as well as on the governing board.
Thurrock Council
Thurrock Council is the local authority governing the borough of Thurrock in Essex, England. They play a pivotal role in the Thames Freeport and are also represented on the Thames Freeport governing board.
Thurrock Council is the local authority governing the borough of Thurrock in Essex, England. They play a pivotal role in the Thames Freeport and are also represented on the Thames Freeport governing board.
Thames Freeport HQ
A world-class industrial cluster is taking shape on the banks of the River Thames. Thames Freeport is a beacon for clean energy technologies, added-value manufacturing, and advanced logistics, with unrivalled global connectivity to over 130 ports in over 65 countries.
A world-class industrial cluster is taking shape on the banks of the River Thames. Thames Freeport is a beacon for clean energy technologies, added-value manufacturing, and advanced logistics, with unrivalled global connectivity to over 130 ports in over 65 countries.
THAMES FREEPORT BENEFITS
40% of rent equivalent saved over first five years
0% Employer National Insurance contributions for 3 years on new jobs
10% per annum enhanced structures & buildings allowance
Lean Customs Arrangements, Duty & VAT deferment
1,700 acres (689 Hectares) of development land available
100% Business Rates Relief (5 years)
Incentives now extended to September 2031
0% Stamp Duty Land Tax
Duty exemption on goods re-exported
WHY THAMES FREEPORT?
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Thames Freeport is strategically positioned along the River Thames in London. It offers easy access to Europe’s largest consumer market of 18 million people within 120 km and connects to over 130 ports in over 65 international markets. With its proximity to major transportation hubs and excellent connectivity by river, road, rail and sea, your products can reach consumers quicker and more cost-effective than you expect.
EUROPE’S LARGEST CONSUMER MARKET
London’s three iconic food markets – Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields are all moving to a new combined site for wholesale food on our doorstep in Dagenham. Thames Freeport can facilitate a new era of low-carbon, river-borne logistics, serving a number of consumer markets.
TAX & CUSTOMS BENEFITS
Enjoy a range of tax incentives, making it more affordable to set-up and operate your manufacturing or value-add processing facility within the Freeport. Setting up premises in the Thames Freeport offers simplified customs procedures, reduced tariffs, and access to streamlined logistics, reducing the time and costs associated with imports and exports.
AT THE CENTRE OF A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
We offer partnerships with local educational institutions for specialised training. Innovative skills programmes including degree apprenticeships, a Logistics Academy and Institutes of Technology combine to nurture and retain talented people in the region. Complemented by a multi-million pound Skills Fund.
STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE
Our partners are world leaders in making trade flow and have invested over £2.5 billion in port and logistics infrastructure over the past 10 years, with over £3 billion of further investment planned. The Thames Freeport offers modern infrastructure tailored to the unique needs of manufacturers, including temperature-controlled storage, distribution facilities, and advanced production spaces. Investment in hydrogen and alternative fuel infrastructure will spur the development of a green logistics cluster with enormous growth potential.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
The UK has established itself at the forefront of innovation, collaborating with leading research institutions and industry experts to drive innovation in food processing and packaging, smart homes, retrofitting and hydrogen. In collaboration with South Korea, we will establish a Smart Homes Hub in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to research homes fit for the future. This will provide R&D opportunities for the Thames Freeport.
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