Port of Dover Cargo Ltd has recently received its third industry recognised accreditation since July; the 360 Quality Code

360 Quality is an international shipping association focusing on perishable products such as fruits and vegetables. The award recognises the excellent techniques and processes involved in the handling of cargo at the Port of Dover, and consequently its major role in the food supply chain.

Nik Scott-Gray, General Manager at Port of Dover Cargo Ltd said:

“With a hugely successful and established trade in perishable cargo, we are delighted to have received this important accreditation from 360 Quality which recognises our exceptional standards.

The facilities available in our brand-new cargo terminal, combined with our unrivalled location next to the world’s busiest shipping lane provides Port of Dover Cargo with some of the best business opportunities in the industry.”

Herman de Knijf, Secretary General at the 360 Quality Association added:

“360 Quality is pleased to have certified Port of Dover Cargo based on their rigid quality code and we welcome them as an official member of the association. We cover reefer terminals and container depots all over the world, plus more than 60% of the specialised reefers in the world wide perishable trade.”

The accreditation means that the Port of Dover is one of only ten depots and terminals across the world to be certified by 360 Quality. In addition to this award, Port of Dover Cargo Ltd was granted full AEO status (Authorised Economic Operator) in customs and security in July 2019, plus organic accreditation for the new terminal in March 2020 from the Organic Food Federation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Port of Dover Cargo Limited:

• Handling fresh produce, containers, project cargo, general cargo, breakbulk, grain and Ro-Ro
• Offering minimal ship deviation by operating at a strategic location next to the world’s busiest shipping lane
• Quickest sea route to European motorways via Calais and Dunkirk

The Port of Dover welcomed Hurtigruten’s brand new hybrid battery powered expedition cruise ship MS Fridtjof Nansen into the Port for the first time this morning for a special showcase call ahead of her inaugural voyages.

Above – MS Fridtjof Nansen

MS Fridtjof Nansen is packed with green technology and large battery packs and is, alongside her sister ship MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ship.

Her call comes ahead of next year’s official launch of the Port’s brand new venture with Hurtigruten. For the first time in their 127-year history, Hurtigruten will offer winter sailings from Dover, with the Port becoming the UK homeport of the MS Trollfjord for her 2021/2022 Norway Expedition programme.

Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Hurtigruten here today and host such an extraordinary cruise ship ahead of her inaugural voyage. With their environmentally friendly and sustainable approach, Hurtigruten represent everything that Port of Dover Cruise champions.

I’m really excited that we have had a glimpse of what is to come, as we prepare to launch our new adventure with Hurtigruten next year, welcoming MS Trollfjord for 13 turnaround calls over the 2021/2022 season. Her visits will mark the first ever official winter season here.”

Anthony Daniels, UK General Manager for Hurtigruten said:

“We are delighted to have been able to include the Port of Dover in our UK Showcase Sailings for the MS Fridtjof Nansen. Sustainability is at the core of our operation and with the introduction of our second hybrid ship we hope to continue to set the benchmark in the cruise industry as leaders in sustainable cruising.”

From cliffs to fjords – Hurtigruten’s Norway Expedition from Dover will commence in October 2021 and be available through to March 2022.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Driven by huge investment, Dover is one of the most popular and innovative cruise ports in the country, and continues to attract more cruise calls. Its state-of-the-art terminals, combined with an inspirational heritage and stunning backdrop, make Dover the port of choice for over 20 individual cruise lines and around 200,000 passengers each year.
• The introduction of the world’s first hybrid powered cruise ships is the latest in a number of Hurtigruten green initiatives. Hurtigruten celebrated its 125th anniversary by banning all single-use-plastics. In another industry first, Hurtigruten is completely rebuilding existing ships to run on a combination of large battery packs, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biogas (LBG) – produced from organic waste such as dead fish.

360 Quality is an international shipping association focusing on perishable products such as fruits and vegetables. The award recognises the excellent techniques and processes involved in the handling of cargo at the Port of Dover, and consequently its major role in the food supply chain.

Nik Scott-Gray, General Manager at Port of Dover Cargo Ltd said:

“With a hugely successful and established trade in perishable cargo, we are delighted to have received this important accreditation from 360 Quality which recognises our exceptional standards.

The facilities available in our brand-new cargo terminal, combined with our unrivalled location next to the world’s busiest shipping lane provides Port of Dover Cargo with some of the best business opportunities in the industry.”

Herman de Knijf, Secretary General at the 360 Quality Association added:

“360 Quality is pleased to have certified Port of Dover Cargo based on their rigid quality code and we welcome them as an official member of the association. We cover reefer terminals and container depots all over the world, plus more than 60% of the specialised reefers in the world wide perishable trade.”

The accreditation means that the Port of Dover is one of only ten depots and terminals across the world to be certified by 360 Quality. In addition to this award, Port of Dover Cargo Ltd was granted full AEO status (Authorised Economic Operator) in customs and security in July 2019, plus organic accreditation for the new terminal in March 2020 from the Organic Food Federation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Port of Dover Cargo Limited:

• Handling fresh produce, containers, project cargo, general cargo, breakbulk, grain and Ro-Ro
• Offering minimal ship deviation by operating at a strategic location next to the world’s busiest shipping lane
• Quickest sea route to European motorways via Calais and Dunkirk

Scarlet Lady is the first ‘Lady ship’ of four in Virgin Voyages’ new adult by design, luxury fleet, which aims to redefine the cruise industry by bringing the luxe of a boutique hotel to the seas. Scarlet Lady boasts dazzling contemporary design and experiences to reinvigorate the cruise industry in the same way Virgin Atlantic Upper Class did for aviation.

Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:

“We are so excited to be aboard Scarlet Lady’s first epic adventure, and for her to be officially unveiled here for the very first time at her inaugural port of call. It’s amazing seeing her berthed here today, spreading some of Virgin Voyages’ fun and curiosity around Dover! Scarlet Lady brings something truly unique to the history of cruising here.”

Barbara Buczek, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Dover added:

“2019 heralded a new era for Port of Dover Cruise, as we officially unveiled the Port’s biggest ever transformation and showcased our amazing partnerships with some of the world’s biggest cruise lines.

Scarlet Lady’s inaugural call celebration shows why Dover is and continues to be a leading port – we are absolutely delighted to host her here for the weekend. Huge events like this shine the spotlight on the Port’s exceptional location and facilities and show how important we are for the local economy.”

• Sir Richard Branson today launched his luxury new Virgin Voyages cruise ship in Dover
• Scarlet Lady is the first ship in the fleet, which aims to redefine the travel industry by bringing the luxe experience of a boutique hotel to the sea
• Adult-by-design, the ship welcomes 18-plus travelers to its sanctuary at sea with stunning interiors created by designers such as Roman and Williams, and Tom Dixon for an elevated passenger experience
• Scarlet Lady travels from Dover to Liverpool before sailing to the US for her Maiden Voyage around the Caribbean in April

With the UK entering a transition or implementation period while its future relationship with the EU is negotiated, current arrangements remain in place and nothing changes until at least 31st December 2020.

Speaking on behalf of the Port and the two ferry operators, Doug Bannister, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “To our tourist customers, whether it is for Easter, summer or Christmas getaways, weekend breaks or day trips, I would like to reassure you that nothing changes this year, so you can book your ferry tickets and travel with confidence.”

“For our freight customers, it’s business as usual throughout 2020 with no new documentation needed. With over half of the freight using Dover heading beyond London, we continue to support businesses and consumers across all parts of the nation.”

Mr Bannister added: “As the negotiations move forward, we will be working hard to ensure we are prepared for 2021 and beyond so that customers can continue to enjoy the benefits of choosing the Port of Dover and ferry services provided by P&O Ferries and DFDS on the shortest sea crossing.”

“The investment in new dedicated ships being committed by both ferry operators to the cross-Channel route also demonstrates long-term confidence in Dover.”

Kasper Moos, Vice President and Head of Short Routes & Passenger, DFDS, said: ‘We are confident we have done all we can to prepare and ensure that trade continues to flow between the UK and Europe. The Port of Dover continues to be very important to DFDS and our support for Dover can be seen with our introduction of a new vessel, the Cote d’Opale, on this route in early summer 2021.”

David Stretch, Managing Director – Short Routes at P&O Ferries, added: “We have consistently said that as long as there are families and freight travelling between Britain and Europe, P&O Ferries will continue to provide a comprehensive ferry and logistics service to and from the continent. I am confident that our hugely experienced team will maintain a punctual, reliable and efficient service for our customers throughout the coming years, whatever the final relationship between the UK and EU.”

Mr Bannister concluded: “In the meantime, enjoy sailing over from Dover with confidence in 2020.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

To support the fact that there are no changes to the practical arrangements for travelling via Dover throughout 2020, the Port and ferry operators will be running an #IsailDover competition from 11pm on Friday 31st. Follow @Port_of_Dover, @POferries @dfds_uk

VisitBritain has some key travel information on its website (also available in different languages), sharing a message of reassurance that nothing is going to change after 31st January.

The largest ships ever to sail between Dover and Calais, the first of the 230-metre super-ferries will be operational by 2023.

David Stretch, Managing Director – Short Routes at P&O Ferries, said: “These remarkable images provide a glimpse of the transformation which our customers will experience when they travel between Britain and Europe on the most sustainable, most reliable and most customer friendly ships ever to sail on the route.”

“This major investment will be a vital part of Europe’s transport infrastructure into the 2040s and symbolises our commitment to making trade flow for our customers.”

Major innovations of the new super-ferries will include:

• Cutting fuel use by 40 per cent through a combination of fuel and battery propulsion.
• The heat recovery system saves fuel which reduces the vessel’s carbon footprint.
• Future proofing anticipates the ‘zero carbon emissions ship’.
• A double-ended design and two bridges on the ship, meaning that there is no need for it to turn around.
• Outside deck areas to provide viewing platforms of the White Cliffs of Dover.
• Panoramic sea views for passengers.
• A power management system to efficiently close down parts of the ship when not in use.
• A revolutionary new shape of hull for the English Channel and azimuth thrusters which increase manoeuvrability of the ship.

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing 27,000 times a year on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units every year.

Together with its logistics business, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road. P&O Ferries is part of DP World, the leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain.

ENDS

Contacts:

P&O Ferries – Dan Bridgett – +44(0)1304 863308

New Century Media – Tony Lodge & Alexander Walker +44(0) 207 930 8033

To top it off, the Port said goodbye to 2019 as Cruise Critic’s Best UK Departure Port.

As it starts counting down the days until Virgin Voyages’ debut cruise ship, Scarlet Lady arrives into Dover in February, the Port looks back at an incredible year.

Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:

“I’m so proud of what we have achieved this year – we’ve celebrated moments in history with our long standing partners and formed fantastic new relationships with some of the world’s leading cruise lines. Our new facilities, environmental practices and the iconic scenery of the White Cliffs and Dover Castle make us really excited to welcome everyone in the future.”

The Port welcomed 131 cruise ships, over 20 individual cruise lines and around 200,000 passengers in 2019. With its new multi-purpose berth open, the Port now has the capacity to accommodate four cruise ships at once for the first time ever.

In April, the Port took a stand on environmental sustainability by building a booth entirely from waste plastic collected from the world’s oceans and beaches during 2018. It was the first stand of its kind and the most sustainable ever to be exhibited at Seatrade. This is an example of the good environmental practices that the Port is championing now and in the future.

In June, it hosted a special event for the Royal British Legion’s D-Day 75 Voyage of Remembrance to Normandy aboard Fred Olsen’s Boudicca. Around 300 D-Day veterans were waved off from Cruise Terminal 1 by the Sea Cadets, a convoy of historic military vehicles, and a serenade of wartime and swing songs.

On the 28th June, Saga’s Spirit of Discovery sailed into Dover for the first time, ready for her official naming ceremony with Godmother HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on 5th July. She became the first ship to be named in Dover for over a decade and was christened during a garden party hosted at the Port by Saga.

Another milestone for Port of Dover Cruise – Hurtigruten announced in August that for the first time in its 126-year history, it will be offering winter sailings from the UK. From October 2021, the Port of Dover will officially be an all year-round cruising destination.

Glancing over what 2020 has in store, Dover is set for another milestone year….

After welcoming the epic Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady in February for her inaugural call, the Port will host Azamara Pursuit and Celebrity Reflection for the British Golf Open championships.

It will also see the return of Carnival Cruise Lines ship, Carnival Legend and prepares to welcome other stars of the cruise ship world to Dover for the first time next year. Ponant Le Dumont-D’Urville, Le Boreal, the National Geographic Explorer and Saga Spirit of Adventure will all be making their way to Dover.

Bookings are also coming in fast up to 2023 – an exciting future is in store!

ENDS