l to r:Tim Waggott, Chief Executive Port of Dover, David and Jenny Young, Andy Gross, P&O Ferries; and PC Paul Skinner, Port of Dover Police.
1 September, 2014 – 2.3 million tourist passengers passed through the Port of Dover this summer, making it a fantastic year for Europe’s leading ferry port with 2.5% extra passengers using the ferry services compared to last year.
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.”
- 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.
