Dover Harbour Board’s biggest ever investment in Dover starts now 0 comments / Category : Press Release Representing an initial and major part of the biggest single investment that will have ever been made by the Board in Dover and its port, tenders are being invited for construction companies to get involved in one of the most exciting development opportunities in the region. George Jenkins OBE, Chairman of Dover Harbour Board, said: “Today’s positive decision is a bold one that demonstrates the Board’s commitment to deliver for Dover. It is far sighted and reflects the shared vision that has been created by the Port, together with its customers and community to create long term prosperity for Dover and for the nation.” Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “I am absolutely thrilled by this decision. It represents a further investment of up to £120 million in Dover and the employment prospects of current and future generations of local people over the next few years. The message today is that we are 100% for Dover, we are putting our money where our mouth is and we very much hope that this will give others the confidence to do the same. “The studies have been done and the conversations have been had with our customers, with our community and with our staff. Now it is time for action. Now it is time to deliver for Dover.” Ends Issued by Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00) Notes to Editors Further details about Dover Western Docks Revival can be found here http://www.doverport.co.uk/about/port-development/ 600 new jobs for Dover and another 140 safeguarded New cargo terminal and port centric distribution facility Long term port capacity protected Transformation of the waterfront with potential creation of new marina
Community Director 0 comments / Category : Press Release There was considerable interest in the position with a number of high quality applications from some very strong candidates. The interview panel has unanimously agreed to invite some of the candidates to participate in the next stage of the process. This will involve a second meeting, this time with members of the Dover Harbour Board Nomination Committee, before they make a referral to the independent representatives for a final recommendation. The independent representatives who will make the final recommendation include the Leader of Dover District Council, the Deputy Mayor of Dover, the local MP, and the Chairs of the Port & Community Forum and Port Users Group as well as the Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. It is expected that the new Board Member will take office in January 2015. Ends Issued by Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00)
Dover Harbour Board Chairman reappointment gives confidence and certainty 0 comments / Category : Press Release Confirmed by the Minister of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. John Hayes MP, Mr Jenkins will serve a further minimum term of one year. This is being seen as a clear sign of confidence from the Government that DHB is committed to delivering on its transformation agenda for the organisation itself, the development of the Port and its relationships with its customers and the local community. George Jenkins said: “It is an absolute honour to be reappointed. We have started a journey which has only been made possible due to the fantastic people in Dover. “From the refreshed Board to the wonderful team of professional and dedicated staff led by Chief Executive Tim Waggott, we have worked and will continue to work tirelessly at being the best port in the world for the benefit of our customers and community. “There is a gathering momentum in Dover to deliver a shared vision of a place that has the Port at its heart, which can and will be great, a place to come and build a successful career, a place to enjoy with a wealth of opportunities for local people and a global reputation for excellence.” Mr Waggott added: “I am thrilled for George and even more thrilled for Dover. We have, with our customers and community, achieved so much together in a short space of time. We have opened the lid on a world of possibilities, but this reappointment now gives us the mandate to carry on and actually deliver for Dover, turning vision to reality. This is good news for us all.” Ends Issued by Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00) Notes to Editors: Mr Jenkins’ current term ends on 31st December 2014 and his reappointment commences on 1st January 2015. Mr Jenkins is Chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Previously he has chaired a number of NHS organisations, held a number of executive and non-executive positions in the ports industry and was Chairman of the Medway Dock Labour Board and Executive Chairman and Managing Director of The Transit Group. Dover Harbour Board is currently in the process of appointing its first ever Community Director and working to establish a community fund for Dover. Dover Harbour Board announced its Dover Western Docks Revival plans in February, aimed at reviving the Western Docks through the development of a new cargo terminal and port centric distribution facility, creating 600 jobs and safeguarding another 140 positions, protecting long term capacity and enabling the transformation of the waterfront with the potential creation of a new marina.
Port supports community role in national Beachwatch Big Weekend 0 comments / Category : Press Release Last year’s Shakespeare Beach clean was a resounding success with over 7,500 items of litter collected. This year, the organisers hope to welcome even more volunteers looking to play their part in keeping this local beach clean and safe. Paul Sampson, Partnership Ranger, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, said: “The beach clean and survey helps us and the MCS to find out what type of litter is making its way by sea to this part of East Kent as well as give the shingle beach a deep clean.” Enthusiasm is all that is needed to help conserve the local marine environment as all of the necessary equipment is provided. Vicki Jago, Environmental Manager, Port of Dover said; “The beach clean and survey is a fun event for all the family with prizes awarded at the end of the day, but it is mainly about us all showing our commitment to our community in keeping such valued community assets clean and safe for everyone, including the wildlife that calls Shakespeare Beach its home.” This is the fifth year that the Port of Dover, along with the WCCP, will be joining hundreds of other Beachwatch events taking place throughout the country. Ends Notes to Editors: Volunteers are asked to register by 18th September and if bringing children along should complete a parental/guardian consent form. Further details can be found athttp://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/beach/shakespeare-beach/event/2014-09-21 Volunteers are asked to come down to Shakespeare Beach on Sunday 21st September and are asked to meet at the gate to the beach off Lord Warden Square where a health and safety talk will be given as well as advice on how to complete the survey forms. Volunteers are asked to come down at 10.00am and stay as long or as little as they can spare. The event will finish at 2.00pm Volunteers should wear suitable clothing and appropriate footwear to walk along the beach and bring something to eat and drink. Gloves, litter pickers and hi viz tabards will be available. For further information about the event, please contact Paul Sampson on 01304 241806. Further information about the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership can be found at http://www.whitecliffscountryside.org.uk.
Port of Dover Exercise 0 comments / Category : Press Release The exercise is the third and final part of a series of pre-planned exercises designed to ensure that the Port and its partners are best placed to deal with a variety of emergency situations. Due to the nature of the exercise, the Port (Eastern Docks) will be closed between midnight and 5am. Some mock explosions or sounds of gunfire (using blank rounds) may be heard and the Port and Kent Police would like to reassure everyone, particularly the local community and Port customers, that this is part of the exercise and is therefore not something to cause alarm. Tim Waggott: Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “Such exercises, which we conduct from time to time with our partners, are extremely important in ensuring that we proactively prepare for any eventuality. As Europe’s busiest ferry port, it is vital that we keep the safety and security of all those who work in and travel through the Port at the forefront of our operations.” Superintendent Andrea Bishop, Kent Police, said: “Dover is the gateway to the UK and Europe and one of the world’s busiest ports. Consequently, it’s of huge strategic importance. Keeping the port safe and secure for the millions of people who travel through it or work there is a priority for us and our partners. Kent Police has the expertise and resources to ensure that people can go about their business safely but it’s important that we periodically put those to the test. Such exercises are vital to make sure that we can effectively and professionally deal with potential incidents in the best way possible.” The Port, Kent Police and all of the emergency organisations involved would like to thank the media, the local community and the Port’s customers for their understanding and patience whilst such an exercise is conducted. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MEDIA: The exercise will involve the testing of tactics for dealing with a major emergency situation. It is extremely important that such tactics and their success for any potential real life situation in the future are not compromised by any footage of the exercise being taken and/or released either via mainstream or social media outlets. This will therefore be a closed exercise and no-one will be given access to the Port in order to film and no-one will be available for interview. All media are therefore kindly requested to refrain from trying to gain access but are encouraged to advise their audiences that this is an exercise i.e. to reassure that this is a positive action by those involved to be prepared for major emergencies and is nothing that should cause panic or alarm.
A New Community Fund For Dover 0 comments / Category : Press Release We have already been told that nurturing the education and skills of our local young people is really important and we have a fantastic maritime heritage to build on in Dover. How can we capitalise even further on our unique position? What do you think should be the priorities for your community fund? How widely should the fund reach – town or district? How should the fund be administered and by whom? These are all really important questions and we want to give you a chance to have your say – it will after all be a fund for Dover. Come along to the Port of Dover Community Fund workshop at Cruise Terminal 2 on Monday 22nd September 2014 at 6pm and have your say. The event will be independently chaired by the Bishop of Dover, The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott. Let’s ensure that we grasp this opportunity to deliver for Dover. We look forward to seeing you!
Dover farewell to Holland America Lines’ cruise ship Ryndam 0 comments / Category : Press Release This year, the Ryndam made 13 calls at Dover as part of a series of select itineraries including both Baltic and Northern European ports. The 16 year old ship, which carries more than 1,500 passengers, is one of four in the Statendam Class, and will now join the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in 2015. “It has been a pleasure hosting the Holland America Line vessels and passengers over the last few years and we very much hope to welcome them again soon,” said Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover. “With the restoration of Cruise Terminal 1 soon to be completed, it would be great to see such a long-established line with an excellent reputation call again at this historic terminal.” Notes to Editor: The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest international ferry port, the UK’s second busiest cruise port, operates successful cargo and marina businesses and has a diverse property portfolio £89 billion of trade handled per annum £320 million GVA to the UK economy per annum 2.2 million freight vehicles per annum (98% of freight traffic by weight either originating in or destined for the EU) 13 million passengers per annum Over 140 cruise liner calls per annum Cargo tonnage maintained at record levels A major opportunity acting as a catalyst for regeneration of Dover with the potential to create over 600 new jobs, safeguard 140 jobs, develop a new cargo terminal and port centric distribution facility, protect long term port capacity and transform the Waterfront
Passenger Surprise at Dover Ferry Port 0 comments / Category : Press Release To celebrate the last day of a successful summer, one lucky family on the Dover to Calais route was presented with a bottle of Champagne by Tim Waggott, Port of Dover’s Chief Executive. David and Jenny Young and their two children from Bacup in Lancashire were heading off on holiday to the Paris region when they were presented with the bottle while waiting to board P&O Ferries’ Pride of Kent to France. Tim Waggott was as delighted to present the Champagne to a surprised Mr and Mrs Young. “This has been a really strong summer for the Port of Dover’s ferry operations. We are seeing significant growth in the number of passengers using the ferry terminal and this year’s figures are even more satisfying as we continue the revitalisation of the port. Ferries from Dover have been creating the perfect start to family vacations in Europe for generations. It is great to see that they still are.” Ends Notes to Editor: The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest international ferry port, the UK’s second busiest cruise port, operates successful cargo and marina businesses and has a diverse property portfolio £89 billion of trade handled per annum £320 million GVA to the UK economy per annum 2.2 million freight vehicles per annum (98% of freight traffic by weight either originating in or destined for the EU) 13 million passengers per annum Over 140 cruise liner calls per annum Cargo tonnage maintained at record levels A major opportunity acting as a catalyst for regeneration of Dover with the potential to create over 600 new jobs, safeguard 140 jobs, develop a new cargo terminal and port centric distribution facility, protect long term port capacity and transform the Waterfront.
Further Steps Towards Community Director Appointment 0 comments / Category : Press Release Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, Tim Waggott said: “It is very encouraging that we received such a substantial response as we continue the momentum of working together with our community to deliver for Dover. I would like to personally thank everyone who has taken the time to express an interest in the role for their commitment to being part of a shared vision for the future.” Candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited for interview on the 18 or 19 September, and will be met by the panel which includes the Leader of Dover District Council, the Deputy Mayor of Dover and the local MP. Alongside these locally elected representatives, candidates will also meet the independent Chairs of the Port & Community Forum and Port Users Group as well as members of the Board’s own Nomination Committee and the Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. Mr.Waggott added: “Local elected representatives form around one third of the interview panel. We feel the group reflects an equitable distribution of responsibility and input between locally elected representatives, independent community and customer representatives and Dover Harbour Board itself.” ENDS Issued by Port of Dover Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 (ext 4410 from 8.30 – 17.00) Notes to Editors Dover Harbour Board announced it was to appoint the first Community Director at its Annual Consultative Meeting held on 20 May 2014, committing to engaging with community leaders and elected representatives to establish an open and transparent, arms length process.
Port of Dover breaks new ground 0 comments / Category : Press Release The Dover Western Docks Revival project is a multi-million pound port regeneration project. The demolition of the old Seacat berth, to be completed by the end of 2014, is the first stage in a project that will be a catalyst for the regeneration of Dover, the old berth making way for a new cargo terminal and associated waterfront developments over the next few years. Charlie Elphicke: “It is a real pleasure to be here at the groundbreaking of the Western Docks Revival. It’s great to see the commitment of the port to new investment and the creation of hundreds of new local jobs. There’s a real sense of change and partnership with the town. New investment, new community directors and a new fund for Dover too. A partnership that can strengthen Port of Dover’s position as one of the UK’s leading ports and enhance its position as the leading ferry port in Europe.” Tim Waggott: “This demonstrates ongoing momentum for Dover Western Docks Revival that will bring the town and the port closer together as we develop a port that will protect our long-term port capacity and bring new business to Dover. We have spent a great deal of time discussing and debating the plan and this begins our journey to fulfilling those promises. This is a significant milestone as we continue regenerating the port.” ENDS Issued by Port of Dover Corporate Affairs on 01304 240400 Ext. 4410 (8.30am – 17.00pm)
