At the begining of the 20th century the Port of London was in trouble. Small profits led to a lack of investment in new facilities.
The port's facilities became increasingly inefficient at a time of rapid advances in technology. In response to these problems the Port of London Authority (PLA) was established in 1909.
The PLA took over the powers of all the existing companies and began a programme of modernisation.
During the 1920s and 1930s the port handled an increasing amount of goods. That was in spite of the major trade depression of the 1930s.
This continued after the Second World War, once the docks had recovered from the damage caused by German bombing. In the 1960s the amount of goods handled in the Port of London reached record levels.
Beginning of decline
After that time there was a rapid decline due to:
containerisation of goods
technological changes adopted by other ports
a switch in Britain's trade following European Economic Community (EEC) membership.
By 1981 all of the docks had closed. At the same time, much of the industry that had grown up along the Thames also declined, leaving large areas of Docklands derelict.
Regeneration
In that year the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was established to regenerate the area. This has since been transformed by new office, housing and transport developments.
Maritime London timeline
1909 - Port of London Authority takes over the docks; although London was still the world's major port, fierce competition between the dock companies had left many in financial trouble
1921 - King George V dock opened
1939 - London still the biggest port in the world, but international trade is disrupted with the outbreak of the Second World War
1940-41 - The Blitz brings severe damage to the docks and the dockland communities
1950s-60s - The heyday of the docks, with record amounts of cargo handled
1960s - Major expansion at Tilbury Docks
1970s - Further expansion of Tilbury with the construction of the Northfleet Hope Container Terminal; as ships got bigger and loading/unloading times became more crucial, Tilbury captured more and more of London's trade while the other docks stagnated
Closure:
1968-71 - St Katharine's, London and Surrey Commercial Docks close
1967-71 - Hay's and all the major wharves close
1976-81 - West India, Millwall and Royal Docks close
1960s-80s - London ceases to be a commodity trading port, but retains its international lead in maritime insurance and other related services
1981 - London Docklands Development Corporation founded to redevelop the derelict dock areas
1984 - Thames Barrier opened to prevent flooding in London
1980s-90s - Isle of Dogs transformed into a new business precinct, symbolised by the tower of Canary Wharf
Britain and the world timeline
By 1914 - Britain's industrial output had been overtaken by that of the United States and Germany, but it remained the chief financial centre of the world and retained a crucial role in international trade
1914-1918 - First World War diminished British power and Britain's role in world trade
1929-31 - The Great Depression led to a collapse of international trade
1939-1945 - Second World War further weakened Britain's international position
1952 - Succession of Queen Elizabeth II
Science and technology
1930-90s - Air and road haulage of goods made increasingly serious inroads into sea-borne trade
1960s - Container ships developed, leading to the closure of small ports
1994 - Channel Tunnel opened
Britain's relative economic decline continued; services overtook manufacturing as the mainstay of the economy
The SS Surat in the King George V Dock, North Woolwich, c. 1955 © NMM