The £400m contract, a joint venture with Laing O'Rourke and Dredging International, will see Dubai Ports (DP) World build the UK's first deep-water port for more than 20 years.

The London Gateway container port and business park will be built on the former Shell oil refinery site at Shell Haven in the Thames Estuary, Thurrock.

It will also be the world's most advanced container port and Europe's largest logistics park.

However opponents have said the development would harm agricultural land and wildlife.

The scheme was given the initial go ahead by Government last year after a lengthy public consultation.

It is hoped some 12,000 jobs will be created, helping Thames Gateway South Essex fulfil its pledge of providing an additional 55,000 jobs in the region by 2021.