The Port of Dover recorded its highest levels of freight traffic since 2007 with throughput in 2014 reaching 2,368,182 vehicles as of Wednesday (16 December 2014). As the Port handles £89bn worth of trade each year, traffic is expected to maintain the present rate of increase between now and the end of the year, meaning 2014 will be a record breaking 12 months for the Port with a total in excess of 2.4 million freight vehicles.
In 2007, Dover recorded record freight traffic volumes with 2,363,583 vehicles using Europe's busiest 24/7 roll-on-roll-off ferry port. This year has already seen more freight than 2007, is predicted to see at least 2% more traffic than the previous record and on any one day the Port of Dover now handles up to 160km of freight.
With major construction works completed in the Eastern Docks and the Dover Western Docks Revival project commencing in 2015, this new volume of freight shows how important the Port is to the local, regional and national economy.
Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "This record number of freight vehicles using the Port of Dover in 2014 proves that it is a port with a recognised operational expertise, reliable schedules and an infrastructure to support high volumes of freight traffic. There is no gateway closer to Europe and no port in the UK that can offer a faster ro-ro service to the European mainland.
"With our major project to regenerate the Western Docks due to start next year, we have no doubt that the Port of Dover will continue to be the mainstay of European freight traffic crossing the Channel. This is a tremendous endorsement of our operational expertise and staff putting the Port at the top of the Freight Chart this year, proving that most customers still prefer the ferry experience!"
