THE Port of Tilbury has launched the London Paper Terminal – a terminal that will specialise in the handling of paper and packaging.

The terminal, the largest paper handling port in the UK, will act as a distribution centre and handle more than 400,000 tonnes of the product each year.

The first key customers are paper giants UPM, Sappi and Kotkamills who’ll use the new terminal as their UK base.

The launch of the terminal comes on the back of a multimillion pound investment in the terminal by port owners Forth Ports.

The company has invested over £3.5million in equipment including intelligent clamps for safe handling of paper rolls, and in the IT systems to ensure the terminal has the latest paper handling technology.

Sam Stewart, asset manager at the paper terminal, said: “We are proud of the facility we have created at London Paper Terminal. With the significant investment made in both equipment and IT systems along with our highly skilled workforce, LPT is a vital strategic link in the supply chain.