A FERRY firm's bid to move out of Dartford to occupy land at the UK's largest container port in Essex has moved a step closer.

Dart Line, a subsidiary company of Bidcorp, formerly Jacobs Shipping, hopes to move to Shell Haven, Thurrock, the site of a former oil refinery, from Crossways Business Park.

The firm is set to benefit from a larger port area, a stronger workforce, good rail access and shorter crossing times to continental ports in Zeebrugge, Vlissingen and Dunkirk.

Bidcorp's managing director, Stephen Hepplewhite, said: "We are running out of space in Dartford and have just developed the last two and a half acres. The relocation will bring big advantages for us."

On Monday, it was announced that P&O and Shell had submitted applications to develop the site with a scheme that will create 16,500 new jobs when fully complete.

The port will include a 2,300-metre long container quay capable of handling 3.5 million containers per year and a roll-on roll-off facility for vessels.

The whole development involves up to 10 million square feet of commercial space.

The proposals will be subject to extensive consultation and, if agreed, work could start next year.