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Over the 28th and 29th of February, the Port of Dover 2050 Project attended a second round of special workshop sessions of the Port and Community Forum (PCF) and Port Users Group (PUG). These gatherings marked the next important stage of our engagement process with stakeholders actively participating in helping to shape the future of one of Britain's most crucial maritime gateways.

The agenda for these sessions was focused on looking at what social, environmental, financial and economic outcomes we all want to achieve and exploring some possible ideas for change that could help in delivering those outcomes. 

One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the particular desire to bolster the Port's capacity to accommodate future traffic projections and growth opportunities whilst reducing congestion in and around the Port to ensure unimpeded local community and business activity. 

Acknowledging the global challenge of climate change and the urgent drive to decarbonise, among the prioritised outcomes chosen by the PCF was the provision of clean electricity to power hybrid or fully electric ferries, cruise ships, and cargo vessels. Beyond the outcomes already suggested, there was a desire to consider ways in which the Port can deliver industry-specific skills, including to prepare the local community for future jobs and opportunities. There was also a strong recognition of the importance of collaboration with the town and wider stakeholders, recognising the desire and importance of working in partnership to deliver shared outcomes.

Within the ideas for change, there was overwhelming support from both groups for using digital technology to improve the safety, security, and especially flow of traffic through border controls, around the Port, and on the public highway. 

The Port User Group emphasised the importance of ensuring that the local community benefits from the Port as a 'good neighbour', as well as suggestions to incentivise cruise passengers to visit the town through improved public transport connections.

There was also a call for greater flexibility of land use across the Port estate to respond quickly to changing customer and business demands.

Interested in participating? Make sure to check Commonplace frequently for updates or visit the Marine Office's feedback station to share your thoughts before 31^st March.

The Port Users Group (PUG) met on Tuesday 5 December, contributing expertise from a broad range of customers, operators, partners and users into a workshop that not only studied and rationalised the vital global drivers that will affect the future of the Port, but also revealed mutual aspirations for a shared, positive future that aligned with views expressed at the Port and Community Forum (PCF) a week earlier.

At the heart of the Group’s discussion were considerations on how to best maximise traffic fluidity in order to enable future growth and opportunity for the port whilst alleviating negative impacts on the local community and businesses. Importantly, this led to a discussion on how to foster a long-term step change in the positive perception of the port and Dover more widely.

Trade, Travel and Community

At the heart of the PUG’s focus was the need to continue successfully adapting to post-Brexit challenges whilst responding to the continuation of express online purchasing demand and the impacts of de-globalisation that may result in more goods moving between the UK and Europe. Echoing the PCF, Port and town cohesion, with a focus on developing experience and leisure opportunities suggested increasing collaboration with local partners would be required.

Sustainability and Environment

The Group stressed that electrification of the route was the way ahead, from the ferries and other vessels to lorries and cars, meaning the Port will need to be in a position to provide for this. Rail was not deemed suitable for Dover’s operations, with road freight remaining the dominant form of transportation for goods into the long term. Devoting time, energy and resources to driving sustainability and resilience was deemed of paramount importance for the Port, its users and the people of Dover.

Assets, Technology and Operations

The Group was keen to discuss the practical applications of technology to help streamline operations across the Port. The need for a better understanding of where lorries are on the network was discussed, with ideas such as virtual lorry queues and electronic notifications to call drivers to the Port in order to proceed onto the ferry. A dedicated inland facility for processing lorries away from the Port (including for queuing, driver welfare, refuelling and border processing) was a popular idea, emphasising the need to reduce congestion leading up the Port.

The overriding message from the PUG was the desire for more collaboration between the Port and its stakeholders to provide a seamless exchange of ideas and drive the long-term development and success of the port and its users.

There was a great sense of anticipation in the room as to where the future could take us together.

The Port and Community Forum (PCF) gathered on Monday 27 November, for a special workshop that not only dissected the key global drivers that will affect the future of the Port, but also revealed common aspirations for shared future success.

At the heart of the forum’s dialogue was the Port’s impact on the town of Dover, and how the two share a symbiotic relationship. Amidst these discussions, a common theme emerged of a desire for a more connected, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.

Sustainability and Environment

The forum echoed a resounding commitment to environmental stewardship within the Port. By nature of being a port town, the PCF was concerned about the effects of sea levels rising, severe weather conditions, and the resultant risk of flooding in Dover. Adaptive infrastructure and sustainable practices to increase climate resilience were raised as key aspects of overall climate change preparedness.

Assets, Technology and Operations

A key theme of leveraging technological advancements to streamline port operations also arose. Discussions revolving around increased efficiency and traffic fluidity led to a desire for innovative automation, digitalisation of processes, and optimisation of logistics across the Port. The clear aspiration was that cutting-edge technologies would not only reduce traffic congestion but also showcase Dover as a hub of modernisation and innovation.

Trade, Travel and Community

One of the most captivating community themes was the wish to fortify the connection between the town of Dover and the waterfront, particularly across the wider waterfront to the historic Cruise Terminal 1 building in the Western Docks, the former Dover Marine Railway Station There was a strong desire to provide better connectivity both into the town for Cruise Passengers linked to an enhanced leisure offer and for Dovorians across to the waterfront for activities and events.

Ultimately, the PCF expressed a desire for the forum to realise its full potential, bringing the right key local organisations together to collaborate in order to maximise the scale of impact of the 2050 programme for the port and community of Dover.

We look forward to going on that journey together.