The £350m project, which builds on DP World’s £2bn investment in Britain over the last decade, will lift London Gateway’s capacity by a third, giving it more room to handle the world’s largest vessels.

Seamus Devlin, McLaughlin & Harvey civil engineering director, said “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract with DP World and to begin delivering this vital piece of national infrastructure.

“We look forward to engaging with our local supply chain and creating jobs locally.”

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said: “Over the next 10 years we have earmarked a further £1bn of investment in this country.”

“The construction of the new fourth berth is creating 1,000 jobs and London Gateway’s rapidly growing logistics park will employ 12,000 people when it is completed in five years’ time.

“Our investment is a catalyst for the regeneration of one of the most deprived areas in the UK, which is currently in the top decile of deprivation.”