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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.

Port of Dover Calls on Stakeholders to Help Shape Future of the Port 

The Port of Dover is today launching a 6-week public engagement period to hear from local communities, visitors, Port users and wider stakeholders on the outcomes and ideas they think the Port should pursue to 2050.  

This is the latest phase of ‘Port of Dover 2050’, the programme by Britain’s busiest port and ARUP to develop a long-term plan to become the UK’s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled port, entrenching the Port as a symbol of national trade resilience well into the future.  

In our ever-changing world, patterns and behaviours of travel, business, commerce, and leisure are rapidly changing too – driven by societal shifts, technological advances, economic change, and our climate and environment. The Port of Dover itself faces challenges as it looks ahead to the future, from the critical need to decarbonise maritime and road transport and rising sea levels, to skills gaps and rapid advancements in digitalisation. However, through its 2050 plan and the identification of solutions, these challenges will become opportunities.   

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, said: 

“The level and scale of change seen by the Port of Dover throughout its history, from Roman times to the award of our royal charter in 1606, to today, is simply vast. To remain an established strategic asset for the United Kingdom to the present day has taken creativity and innovation at every step to adapt to the challenges of the day.  

Port of Dover 2050 is our strategic masterplan project to help us understand the opportunities and challenges the Port faces now and into the future and the changes and potential investments we need to make over the long term. With the launch of the public engagement period today, we are seeking to work with our many stakeholders to identify the best solutions; subsequently driving value for our business and employees, the local community, and the regional and national economy – through economic, environmental, and social benefits.  

So far, through our online engagement hub, we've been delighted to hear from members of the public, community organisations, businesses, and our employees about your memories and aspirations for the future of the Port. These have informed the possible outcomes and ideas for change we are now seeking your views on – and we can’t wait to hear from you during this next stage of the 2050 engagement journey.

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.

It has been over 7 weeks since we internally launched Port of Dover 2050: Empower Exchange! Since then, a considerable amount of work has taken place which some of you would have been involved in, including populating our digital memory map.

Fond reflections

Here at the Port, we are lucky enough to be part of something that is a regional and national asset with rich and iconic heritage. Geographically, as a major international Port we stand as the closest point by sea to the continent on one side and are merely a short distance from the town of Dover on the other.

All your mapping of memories on our engagement hub were great to read and a representation of the uniqueness of Dover. From seal sightings, weddings, and dragon boat racing at the Regatta to the fantastic views from VTS and even bringing in the new P&O Pioneer, these are just some of the contributions shared.

Aspiring for greatness

In today's dynamic world, marked by political unrest on both domestic and international fronts, pressing climate concerns, and the widespread integration of AI technology, it is crucial to recognise the considerable influence these trends will have on the future functionality of our Port.

During our Port Exchange Event in September, employees collectively agreed that climate change, digitisation, and political factors along with ageing assets, were the most impactful drivers of change for our business over the next three decades.

Port of Dover 2050 is all about how we respond to these challenges and strategically plan to achieve our vision to become the UK’s most seamless, sustainable, and tech-enabled Port.

It’s imperative that we continue the conversation and build in your ideas and innovations into the plans as they develop, ahead of our 12-week public consultation in Spring 2024. Your input will help us to effectively plan for change and allocate vital investment in our future.

Innovative ideas

From mapping your memories to pinning your aspirations. Launching today, we would like to invite you to pin your ambitions for the Port on our new map. The map will be live until Friday 22 December and all inputs are welcome.

You may have a solution to an existing challenge or frustration, an imaginative idea for something new, or concepts for a simple success. For a kickstart, here are a few insights and thoughts that have emerged from the Port Exchange and various workshops:

• How can we empower exchange through better connections, should we try and create a better route between the Eastern and Western Docks (for freight, tourists, employees?) and can the links between the waterfront and town be improved?

• To ensure that we are seamless, smart, and sustainable, what ideas are there for minimising congestion, maximising traffic fluidity and throughput, and ensuring we achieve decarbonisation, whilst also enhancing the customer experience?

• Can we close the gap between us and the world by making Dover a top coastal destination for people travelling by ferry of cruise, make the beach more inviting and introduce more shops and amenities on the waterfront?

Please share your pioneering ideas and feel empowered to have your say on how we can achieve this together!

https://mypod2050.commonplace.is/en-GB/map/port-of-dover-2050-aspirations

We’ve launched our project to plan the next 30 years of the Port!

Last week, a fantastic 125 colleagues participated in the launch of the Port of Dover 2050 Plan during the in-person Port Exchange event.

They heard all about the project, why we are embarking on this journey now and most importantly how we can all get involved throughout the year. From pinning memories and aspirations for the Port on maps, to taking part in workshops, colleagues had their say on what matters to them, what they see as opportunities and challenges and what the Port could and should do better.

During these candid workshops, and a bit of mingling afterwards, we read and heard hundreds of comments and suggestions from all who attended. Your commitment to decarbonisation and how we can achieve Net Zero is abundantly clear (thank you too for your ideas on how we can achieve that together). You also raised challenges around future-proofing our infrastructure and around skills gaps - recruiting, attracting and retaining the next generations of employees.

However, this event is only the beginning, and the conversation is far from over – we want to hear from those who could not attend and encourage further participation from those who did.

So we are excited to announce the launch of the Port of Dover 2050 Engagement Hub, a digital space accessible to all of you. Through this platform (https://mypod2050.commonplace.is/) you can not only contribute your cherished memories but also share your perspectives on the most impactful future trends that are likely to shape the trajectory of our Port until 2050.

Your engagement is pivotal in shaping the future we want to see for the Port of Dover, so please do join in and have your voices heard as we navigate this exciting journey towards 2050.

A recording for anyone who missed the launch is provided here (https://youtu.be/v2FDkoKDNhA). Do take a look and provide your thoughts.

We will be launching the project publicly on Thursday 12 October.

If you have any questions, please contact: 2050@portofdover.com