THURROCK, UK--Edelman has secured a broad marketing communications brief to support London Gateway, the £1.5bn development that aims to dramatically expand the Port of London.

The firm prevailed against as many as 14 other contenders in the pitch, including PR and advertising agencies. It is understood that the final round of the tender saw Edelman go up against Ketchum Pleon. The review was revealed by the Holmes Report last year.

Sources involved in the process told the Holmes Report that Edelman will provide a broad range of B2B marketing services to DP World, which owns the project. The company is aiming to build a compelling proposition to both its direct customers (such as shipping and transportation companies), and to end users - the large retailers that hold considerable influence over supply chain decisions.

Located on the banks of the River Thames in Thurrock, London Gateway will comprise the UK’s largest deep-water port along with one of Europe’s largest logistics parks. The development will significantly boost the Port of London’s competitive offer against the UK’s first- and second-ranked ports: Felixstowe and Southampton, respectively.

Slated to open in 2013, construction of the port began in 2010. Its arrival will significantly increase the UK’s deep-sea port capacity, which has been identified as a priority by the Department of Transport. London Gateway's communications were previously handled by Weber Shandwick.

Representatives from both DP World and Edelman declined to comment.