The Port of Dover recorded its busiest day ever for freight traffic, with 10,558 freight vehicles handled by the Port on 23rd November. That is nearly 500 more than the previous record and is equivalent to four extra ferry loads or nine kilometres of traffic in one day. 

This freight high builds on a 3% growth in freight during the third quarter of 2016. 

Following 30% growth in freight in just the past three years, freight traffic is once again increasing at Europe’s busiest ferry port, which handles 17% of the UK’s trade in goods. 

As the shortest sea crossing between the UK and mainland Europe, freight wants to use the quickest, cheapest and most efficient crossing but Dover had seen a marginal shift away to other ports in recent times due to the issues at Calais. However those pressures have now eased following the closure of the Jungle and Dover is once again back to breaking records in support of a growing economy. 

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: 

“The Port is busier than ever, with strong volumes projected for the rest of the year. 

“Dover continues to play a critical role in ensuring that the UK’s trading relationships with our European partners remain strong as we move towards Brexit. 

“As we approach the busy festive season for freight and passenger traffic, we will be doing all we can to keep the traffic moving in order to ensure the nation’s shops remain stocked and people get away for their well-earned breaks.”

Crowds filled the Port of Dover’s historic Cruise Terminal One building on Saturday 19 November as Chief Executive Tim Waggott officially opened the Port’s first ever White Cliffs Christmas.

Boasting a real ice-rink, the event also features a stylish Christmas Market, Cockles & Co. Bar, Sugar & Spice Sweet Shop as well as a range of vintage vehicles from the Dover Transport Museum and a host of festive food and drink concessions.

Top class entertainment was provided by forties and wartime singing duo The Swingtime Sweethearts, Kent’s No.1 Michael Buble tribute Mr. Jason Allen Sway, choral group Ladies of the Lake and the unique sound of local band Rudy Warman and the Heavy Weather.

The highlight of the event was the arrival of Father Christmas on his sleigh guided by real reindeers and friendly elves to take up residence in his Grotto until 23 December.

“What a fantastic way to start the countdown to Christmas!  The White Cliffs Christmas event is a first for the Port of Dover and judging by the enthusiasm of the crowds, it will certainly not be the last,” said Chief Executive, Tim Waggott.

“Our White Cliffs Christmas is about bringing friends and family, our community, together.  It is also about showing just what a fantastic destination Dover can be when you have a shared vision.  By utilising one of the Port’s celebrated assets, and at such a special time of year, we are seeing a fantastic union of port and town and are attracting visitors from further afield too.  I would like to thank all of those who have helped to make this a truly special event for Dover.”

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke was a visitor on the day and said: “It was great to go along to the fabulous White Cliffs Christmas at the Old Marine Station.

“It was so good to see families having fun at the ice rink. And the Cockles & Co bar was a delight.

“Well done to the Port of Dover and everyone involved in putting on such an excellent event.”

The White Cliffs Christmas is open at Cruise Terminal One until 2 January.

For all the details and to book ice skating or Father Christmas please visit: www.whitecliffschristmas.co.uk

Image courtesy of The Kent Clickers

There is a packed festive programme in store for the grand opening of the Port of Dover’s White Cliffs Christmas on Saturday 19 November at Cruise Terminal One, Dover Marine Station, Western Docks.

From 10am you can skate on our real ice rink (booking is recommended) or shop at our indoor Christmas Market Stalls including: Kent Dark Chocolate, English Heritage – Dover Castle, Prinny B clothing, Romney Marsh Brewery, Cotton & Reel, Phoenix Greetings Cards, E&D Shabby Chic, The Flower Jar Confectionery, Adorn, Photographer Peter Kesby and handmade gifts from The Student Makers and Intricutz Crafts. There will also be Christmas Workshops for children and adults.

From 11.15am musical entertainment will be provided including the Swingtime Sweethearts, singing songs from their Christmas repertoire and the fabulous Michael Buble tribute Jason Alan Sway. Talented local band Rudy Warman and the Heavy Weather will also be performing their unique sound.

At 2pm Father Christmas will arrive on his sleigh guided by his real reindeers. He will then take up residence in his enchanting Marine Station Grotto every Saturday and Sunday until 23 December, to greet children with his friendly elf helper and give out early presents. Children can also bring their Christmas Wish letters to Father Christmas and place them in the special post box.

The Jubilee Seaways, a record breaking Lego version of a DFDS ferry built to celebrate their 150th anniversary, will also be visiting the Old Marine Station.

Shuttle buses to the event from Dover Market Square in the town centre and Dover Priory Station will be running on most days at £3.00 per adult and £2.00 per child for a return journey.

To book ice-skating and Father Christmas or to view the Shuttle Bus timetable, visit our website www.whitecliffschristmas.co.uk

We hope you can join us for some good old fashioned festive fun.

The last 10 months of work has seen the DWDR project stockpile 46,000 tonnes of reclaimed concrete (aggregate) as the Port creates a sustainable legacy of material processing and recycling.

Jack Goodhew, General Manager – Special Projects of the Port of Dover, said: “We make every effort to send materials from old structures for recycling, rather than to landfill.

“The DWDR project is delivering sustainable development by reducing the volume of aggregate required and we have been obtaining suitable material from local demolition works in order to minimise our requirements from other sources.

“The height reduction and enabling works along the Prince of Wales Pier have resulted in 20,000 tonnes of recycled concrete crush added to the 26,000 tonnes already recycled from the demolition of the former 1970’s office block, hotel and multi-storey car park from Dover District Council’s development.

“This resulted in a reduction of 46,000 tonnes of embodied carbon associated with the extraction, manufacture and delivery of aggregate.

“The DWDR project will make best use of recycled materials wherever possible from local regeneration projects, and this also includes a further 7,000 tonnes from the multi-storey car park in the Eastern Docks which is due to be demolished next year.”

Recycled and secondary aggregates are making an increasingly important contribution to the UK’s needs and are often part of a mixed sourced approach to large-scale construction projects.  Jerry McLaughlin, Director of Economics at the Mineral Products Association (MPA), said: “Recycled & secondary materials now account for 28% the GB aggregates market and the DWDR project is a good example of how sustainability can be integrated into infrastructure development.”

ENDS

Note to editors:

1.  Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle;
• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic; and
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover with c.£250m development committed to deliver the first phase.

The Port of Dover secured a top sustainability award from CEEQUAL for the DWDR project in July. DWDR scored ‘Excellent’ for the Interim Client and Outline Design Award.  CEEQUAL is the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

2.  The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is the trade body for the UK’s aggregates, cement and concrete industries.  Recycled aggregates bring carbon reduction benefits, which include:

• Reduced resource consumption;
• Diversion of waste materials;
• Reduced quarrying and transportation costs; and
• Reduced embodied carbon (i.e. refers to carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture, transport and construction of building materials, together with end of life emissions).

Following the sudden closure of De Bradelei Wharf on 4 October, both the Port of Dover and the new leaseholder, J. B. Armstrong, worked extremely hard to secure the continuation of the business with minimal impact and are thrilled to have completed and reopened in such a short time.

Protecting local jobs and trade was paramount to the Port and the reopening has, secured 90% of the previous outlet’s 80 staff in the new store.

Support from concessions at the Dover branch has been positive, with many returning to the centre, as well as lots of new ladieswear and new casual menswear brands. Talks are ongoing with lots more companies, which is encouraging news for continued trading in Dover.

Port of Dover Chief Executive Tim Waggott said: “Understanding the importance of the outlet centre to the community and economy in Dover, we were determined to ensure its future trading. I’m delighted that we were able to swiftly secure the Armstrong family as the new leaseholders and am excited to see the many improvements they have planned. I would like to wish them a rewarding Christmas trading season and every success going forward.”

The new owners are planning to rebrand the business and will be launching a competition in the next few weeks for local people to get involved in the new identity with the winning entry receiving a £200 shopping voucher for the store. Also planned is an exciting Christmas calendar including a Santa’s grotto.

Co-owner, Venetia Sanders said: “It was obviously a speedy transition from the outlet being locked up and closed to us being up and running. It’s been a hectic few weeks but thanks to the Port of Dover helping us move in quickly we have been able to keep the business alive.”

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “I’m delighted De Bradelei is back open for business. The Port of Dover deserves credit for getting new owners in so quickly and ahead of the important Christmas trading period. 

“This is a really positive move for Dover and for the port – and it’s great to see these shops back up and running.”

The British Torch of Remembrance commenced its 52nd Annual Pilgrimage to Belgium today with a Service of Remembrance to honour our First World War allied forces heroes at the famous War Memorial in the Old Dover Marine Station at the Port of Dover’s Western Docks.

The British Torch of Remembrance is lit annually at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and carried by students from the Duke of York’s Royal Military School on its pilgrimage to Brussels to rekindle the permanent flame at the memorial to the Unknown Warrior in Colonne du Congres.

The service was attended by Port of Dover Chairman, Richard Everitt and Chief Executive Tim Waggott who said: “The Port of Dover has played a major role in both World Wars and so honouring our fallen heroes is hugely important to us. It is a great privilege to host and attend this prestigious, solemn and moving commemoration event this and every year.”

Following the Service, the Torch of Remembrance departed the Old Marine Station and travelled to the Port’s Eastern Docks for its onward pilgrimage to Belgium. It was met by P&O Ferries Captain Steve Johnson who welcomed the British Torch of Remembrance President, Mr Chris Russell and the Honorary Secretary of the British Torch of Remembrance, Major Andrew Nunn CCF. The Torch was then ceremonially marched on board the P&O ferry to Calais, flanked by its Standards.

The Torch of Remembrance 52nd Annual Pilgrimage takes place from 7 – 12 November 2016 with key events and ceremonies taking place in Dover, Oostende, Brussels and the Menin Gate in Leper. Other historic locations include Bredene and Roeselare. Pilgrims come from all over Britain, from all three Services and none.

Mr Slater was recognised today for his work in establishing a chaplaincy within the Port to provide pastoral care for its community – those permanently based in Dover and the crews and passengers of ships visiting from across the globe.

He was presented with the Meritorious Service Award by the Port’s Chief Executive Tim Waggott in the presence of industry leaders who had travelled to Dover from around the UK to attend the annual British Ports Association conference.

Mr Waggott said: “The Meritorious Service Award is only given to a selected few who have made an extraordinary contribution to the Port.

“The support David has given to me personally, to my team and to the Port and its many stakeholders has been exceptional, and I can think of no better way of thanking him than making him a recipient of our flagship award.

”David’s work and that of the wider port chaplaincy team is entirely voluntary and that contribution should rightly be recognised.”

Although supported by Kent Workplace Mission and Christians Together in Dover, the Port of Dover chaplaincy team provides support to people of all or no Faith, and does not restrict its service to spiritual matters.

Mr Slater said: “Workplace chaplaincy is based on the value that every person matters and is worthy of support for their emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.

“People who feel valued and listened to are more likely to achieve higher standards, see value in what they are doing, and add worth to their place of work as well as to their colleagues’ self esteem and their own.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award, which recognises the wider, important role that workplace chaplaincy plays.”

The citation for Mr Slater’s award reads: “For establishing chaplaincy at the Port of Dover, for bringing welfare to the fore in many outside forums and personally providing consistent and caring non-judgemental one to one support to stakeholders, at individual and corporate levels, across the Port, from directors to deckhands and cleaners to clients.”

Mr Waggott, who was hosting the BPA conference on board the cruise ship MV Marco Polo in Dover’s Western Docks, said Mr Slater is just one of a select few to have received the prestigious award.

On Friday afternoon, Dover’s normally tranquil seafront was taken over by hordes of magnificent monsters as the Port of Dover’s Mini Monster Race got underway.

Skeletons, ghosts and vampires were among the many contestants competing for the fastest time and the scariest costume. Monsters and Mums and Dads charged along Marine Parade like a horrible hurricane, scaring everyone in their path.

The contest was split into two heats. The three to seven-year-old’s race was won by James and Sadie and the race for eight to fourteen-year-olds was won by Rebekah and Yad. The scariest costume winners were Lennie and Livvie-Mae for the three to seven-year-olds and Sophie and Daniel for the older competitors. All runners received medals and goody bags and the winners also received a trophy and spookily decorated cakes, all presented by Port of Dover Chief Executive, Tim Waggott.

Port of Dover Director of Corporate Development, Barbara Buczek said; “This year’s community Halloween race was another great success and it was fantastic to see the effort that everyone made. It’s wonderful to see families having fun together and I’d like to congratulate the competitors for helping us all get into the spirit.”

Following the run and presentations, everyone tucked into free hotdogs and drinks generously supplied by Riverside Catering and all proceeds from the event have been donated to local charities.

For details of future Port of Dover events visit our events page:

www.doverport.co.uk/events