A north-east company has provided a key flood prevention pump for one of the country’s biggest ever engineering projects.
Sunderland-based Grundfos won the contract to provide a water pumping station for the £1.5bn DP World London Gateway , a deep-water port development on the banks of the River Thames which accepted its first ship last year.
The port is capable of handling the world’s biggest container ships and Europe’s largest logistical park will be integrated with the port.
The water pumping station will drain water into a collection chamber, the level of which will be monitored by an ultrasonic level controller before then being pumped way.
Lee Carlin, general manager at Grundfos, said the contract had presenting an interesting challenge representing an important part of the London Gateway project.
“It’s obviously a bespoke piece of engineering, and moving forward we’re looking to do more of this sort of work in Sunderland, to create fully-integrated solutions for customers as well as continuing to excel at high-volume manufacturing,” he said.
The company, which has had a presence in Sunderland since 1973, is the world’s leading pump manufacturer and employs 185 people at the site with more than 18,000 people globally.
The London Gateway contract is part of what will become one of the UK’s largest ports, operating six berths, and with a total of 24 quay cranes.
London Mayor Boris Johnson claims the “gargantuan” site, where construction began in March 2010, will put London back on the map as a truly international port.
“London is set to regain its position as one of the world’s greatest ports, and establish itself once again as a gateway to world trade.
“This gargantuan site will create tens of thousands of jobs, whilst helping to drive continued prosperity for the UK.”
