It is officially announced that the first high-bay storage system solely for empty containers commissioned for DP World at its London Gateway terminal.

DP World already operates one of the highest performing container terminals in England. The addition of BOXBAY’s technology will allow DP World to boost its efficiency even further. BOXBAY high-bay storage technology will be seamlessly integrated along with existing operations as a retrofit to an existing empty storage area.

In the High-Bay storage for empty containers, modules are 15.6 m wide with double-deep storage, enabling even more stored TEU per hectare. Even so, about 23 modules fit behind a 360 m berth, each performing 20 moves per hour / 1.3 moves per hour per metre—amounting to roughly 460 waterside moves per hour, or three times the ASC benchmark.

BOXBAY’s high performance stems from its geometry: narrower modules allow a higher density of active spreaders along the quay, creating a compact, high-throughput interface that traditional ASC systems — originally designed for heavy full containers — cannot match. When ASCs were developed in the 1990s, such capacity for empties was unnecessary because global trade flows were more balanced and repositioning minimal.

In this environment, BOXBAY’s “EMPTY SUPERSTACK” provides as a “powerhouse” the intended solution: a high-density, high-throughput vertical storage system that accelerates empty-container exchange, relieves congestion and shortens vessel turnaround times — while fitting seamlessly into the operational DNA of any modern container terminal.

The BOXBAY installation at London Gateway demonstrates that ASC terminals need not be static in capacity or performance. By integrating BOXBAY as a modular extension, operators can retain existing operating concepts while unlocking materially higher waterside throughput and dramatically increased storage density — especially for empty containers. This capability addresses a pressing operational challenge for modern container terminals and, in a world where far more empty containers circulate globally than a decade ago, offers a pragmatic path to future-proofing automated terminal infrastructures.

»This contract marks a pivotal moment for BOXBAY as we transition from concept to real-world application. For the first time we will implement our system specifically for empty containers. We believe this segment holds enormous potential: almost every port in the world deals with empty containers, yet few have efficient solutions for them. Our Empty Superstack system is tailored to solve exactly this challenge—by saving space, cutting operating costs, and enabling full automation. With this project, we are opening a new chapter for terminal design and setting a strong foundation for further growth.«

Christoph Roth, BOXBAY CEO

BOXBAY to implement High-Bay storage system at London Gateway

DP World counts on BOXBAY technology

  • BOXBAY to implement a high‑bay storage system dedicated to empty containers at London Gateway
  • The 16 high HBS reduces land use, handling times, emissions and costs
  • From the pilot project to scale: strengthens DP World's expansion to the UK's largest container port and fosters automation and sustainability

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