Derek, your welcome.
The war of words is already starting as to who is best and for this and that reason, both Ports have good and not so good points. London Gateway (LG) isn't physically in the best location, Felixstowe (PoF) is much better located geographically, despite what the hype says, however LG has an automated stack, that's a technology leap over Felixstowe, but automated stacks are slow and quiet inflexible, you cannot beat driver driven cranes for speed and flexibility. On the other hand automation has no staffing costs and they don't take tea breaks so you can offer shipping a cheaper box rate due to your lower overheads.It will be interesting to see how LG copes as opposed to PoF high density RTG operation and Southamptons low density straddle operation.
One other factor that people seem to forget is Thamesport, whilst it's virtually withered away, it wasn't like that initially, initially it was going to take all of Tilburys traffic, it never did, they had capacity to take a lot but shipping lines do seem shy of the Thames and the extended transit times. Thamesport was also poorly located for inland operations as the majority of boxes head for the Midlands. Thamesport also had automated stacking and even cheaper box rates, but it did not attract further shipping lines after the honeymoon rush. I think LG may well do better, but they will have to work very hard at it and if they do succeed then all good and well to them as they will have earned it and not had it gifted to them.
To be fair by the end of 2015 if predicted box rates are correct, there will be more than enough work for both Ports and by 2020 we will have a large shortfall in the whole of the UK, even after you take into account Southampton, Liverpool, Felixstowe and London Gateways current expansion plans.
Felixstowe will loose some services, it is inevitable, to think otherwise would be naive, they may even gain some, but it'll take 18 moths to all shake out and quite frankly competition is generally good, it keeps people honest and on their toes and drives innovation and technology.
Ironically, MSC Rita is already at the Sunk and has been all day and will be until called for berthing tomorrow at LG, so they haven't really saved much at all, the vessels has still had to moor at the Sunk for nearly two days to get a berth once MOL Caledon sails, what the shuffle has allowed is following MSC vessels to remain on target for their rotation.
Both Ports are also going to suffer from Sunday night onward and through most of Monday with high winds if the predicted weather fronts materialize, so poor MSC Rita isn't going to save much of her rotation by swapping ports, it's all just one big weather mess right now.