ABP doubles vehicle storage capacity at Solent Gateway in Southampton

The multi-million-pound investment expands Southampton port’s automotive activities in a sustainable vehicle logistics facility that accommodates growing demand for import volumes. In total, Southampton has over 100 hectares of vehicle storage and distribution compounds. The first spaces of the latest phase of expansion are now being allocated to OEM customers. The new space is built on reclaimed land between Marchwood village and the town of Hythe.  

The high-spec automotive compound includes supporting infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) volumes, imports of which have been growing through the port as sales of Chinese EVs in the UK increase. Import volumes through Southampton have tipped the balance at the port, which has traditionally handled more exports (and continues to do so for major UK-based OEMs, including BMW, Mini and JLR). However, for the first time last year ABP processed more imports (248,000) than exports (203,000) through Southampton, according to Paul Reeves, head of commercial at ABP Southampton. In the first six months of 2026 the port processed 233,000 vehicles, with 133,000 of that number imported. 

Berth for bigger vessels 

The completion of the additional storage capacity for both imported and exported vehicles follows the development of Berth 3, which is now 240 metres long and has a vessel draft of 11 metres. That enables ABP to accommodate the biggest deep-sea, quarter-ramp ro-ro vessels, according to Reeves. In July this year, the Glovis Lighthouse delivered 4,750 EVs from Chinese carmaker BYD. The pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) was the largest such vessel by capacity to have called at Southampton port.  

With the doubling of vehicle storage capacity at the Solent Gateway site, ABP now has scope for the development of an additional pre-delivery inspection (PDI) facility on site, offering a range of services, including accessorisation and repair. Work continues on road and rail links inland.