THE Port of Tilbury has this morning announced the creation of 75 new jobs at its London Container Terminal.

The jobs will include straddle carrier drivers who currently work as contractors at the port but who will now have permanent employment at LCT.

The investment will also see a major training programme get underway to enhance the skills of straddle carrier and crane drivers both for the new positions and the terminal’s existing staff through the port’s dedicated onsite training academy which will lead on the training programmes for LCT.

The Port is a significant employer with a workforce of over 1,100. The company is investing millions of pounds across the port in the areas of infrastructure, equipment and people.

Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer of Forth Ports, who own the LCT, said: “We are delighted to announce these new jobs for London Container Terminal. At Tilbury we are committed to helping our customers to achieve their ambitions which in turn, lead to job creation.

"Furthermore, through our skills development programme we aim provide our employees with the skills they need to perform their roles to the highest standard. These new jobs give security to the men and women who work at LCT and will further enhance our customer service.

"As London’s major port, we pride ourselves on our first rate customer service and these jobs are part of the significant investment we have undertaken across the port, including new crane and straddle equipment and ICT systems to ensure an unrivalled experience. We will continue to invest in our people and our port in the future."

LCT handles in excess of half a million containers per year, and is the only UK port truly servicing both deep sea and short sea customers.