© Port of Dover
Summer peak border processing time improved by 75% from 2023.
In the same year that the Port launched its ambitious plans for 2050, with a goal to become the UK’s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled port, it has today announced major successes across all areas of the business for 2024, plus a strong focus on community support projects.
Despite the challenges and uncertainty faced by the delayed launch of the Entry-Exit System (EES) and the Paris Olympics, which brought higher volumes of traffic, the Port was prepared and delivered its quickest summer average processing time for ferry passengers. This was with 1/3 less space due to the construction work required to plan for the new process.
Passengers waited for only ten minutes on average at border control, compared to 40 minutes in 2023. As the year draws to a close, 8.6 million people travelled through the ferry terminal before the Christmas period, a 5% increase from 2023.
Dover Cruise welcomed 21 different cruise lines and six inaugural calls, with three cruise ships docked at once on multiple weekends. During high season, up to 8,000 cruise guests explored the local area and attractions on the busiest weekends. An exciting future is ahead, with plans for cruise terminal improvements through the 2050 programme to reflect Dover as a leading global tourist destination.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, said:
“I’m delighted to see us well on our way to delivering the first chapter of our journey to 2050. There are some shining examples across the whole Port showing operational excellence, support for the skills of tomorrow, and us spearheading the reduction of carbon emissions in the maritime industry through our environment and sustainability initiatives.
“There was a huge improvement in border processing time this year, which meant that our community remained clear of queuing traffic all summer and our ferry customers enjoyed a quicker journey and better experience. Plus, our ever-growing waterfront brought local, national and international communities together to experience the wonders of the Kent coast, with new events and attractions added.
“2024 has highlighted our vital role in supporting national growth in many ways. My thanks go to our team, partners, local community and customers for helping us to deliver a brilliant year and shaping our future.”
The Port of Dover Cargo delivered a strong performance, supported by strategic investments in infrastructure, including enhancements to the cargo handling process. This has enabled the Port to meet growing demand from industries such as building supplies, including steel and aggregate, grain, and fresh produce, such as grapes and citrus fruits.
The Outer Marina, which opened in April 2023, was rated as one of the top 300 marinas out of 15,000 worldwide in 2024 by Navily, the most innovative cruising guide and home to a large online community of boaters. It is at the heart of the waterfront, which more people use to enjoy the Southeast coast.
The Port of Dover Community Fund exceeded £1.3 million in donations in 2024 after launching in 2015, marking nine years of enriching social, cultural, and environmental life in and around Dover. The Employee Volunteering scheme saw 69 people and 483 hours allocated to important local charity projects, which was the highest level recorded. The Port also awarded eight sponsorships to support under-18s with sporting goals.
For developments on the Port of Dover 2050 plans and for the latest news, go to www.portofdover.com
