Animal export berthing trials to take place at Port of Dover

Dover Harbour Board has released the following statement regarding live animal exports from the Port of Dover.

"Dover Harbour Board (DHB) has received a request from Barco de Vapor to operate its ship, mv Joline, from one of the Port's main vehicle ferry berths in the Eastern Docks.

The High Court has made it crystal clear that ports, and DHB in particular, must facilitate this legal trade but DHB will be rigorous in demanding through the relevant authorities that all aspects of animal health and welfare agreed with those authorities whilst in the Port are fully complied with and that the vessel meets all mandatory and operational requirements. DHB will therefore be liaising closely with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its regulating agency, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, throughout this process.

Furthermore, because the Port's main ferry berths are specialised and DHB sets safety at the heart of its harbour operations, it has, as is normal for all new vehicle ferries, required Barco de Vapor to bring its vessel for an initial trial to ensure that the moorings and vehicle loading bridge connections are fit for purpose prior to commencing any ferry operation. The ship will be subject to stringent operational rules and a full evaluation of the berthing trial will be carried out before any final decision is made as to the suitability of the vessel to operate from the Port of Dover.

DHB understands that Barco de Vapor intends principally to carry livestock transporter vehicles to and from Calais."