Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 2287

  Sea News, Dover

The Port of Dover and Ferries in Fine Action.


Port of Dover and its ferry partners deliver one million passengers in five weeks
_________________________________________________________________


In the period of just five weeks and despite the ongoing challenges in Calais the Port of Dover, together with its ferry partners, facilitated a journey of one million passengers out of the UK. With over 200,000 cars and 6,000 coaches, the Port of Dover was able to send one million holidaymakers on their way to the Continent between 29th June to the 4th August.

Tim Godden, General Manager of Strategy and Risk Management, Port of Dover, said:

"The team at the Port of Dover has been working incredibly hard to deliver our customers to mainland Europe by making sure families make that all important summer break. Amidst an extremely challenging backdrop, the Port has stayed open for business throughout and played its part to keep the traffic, Dover and the UK economy moving."

The Port and its ferry customers have been delivering the most reliable shortest-sea crossing as Eurotunnel suffered frequent disruption to its services during the period. As a result, the Port was able to maximise available capacity for the additional traffic, whilst maintaining a first class service.

The Port of Dover, together with sister ports in France, handles £100 billion of UK/European trade each year and represents a principal trade route between the UK and mainland Europe.


ENDS



An absolutely terrific performance in the past five weeks as we can see above. These were difficult times for all of us, but the sheer 24-hour workload of the Port and the Ferry Companies delivered, it wasn't easy. PB


A couple of pictures now of the AIDA Cara from yesterday...showing her arrival. She appeared to be late into port but as ever great to see her arrival.





Hello Bill...another welcome visitor from Australia.
The Ramsgate idea has been suggested in various quarters but expert opinion seems to suggest that it isn't suitable there. Too small for the big ships now, plus the all round infrastructure isn't the best. As you can see from the release above the Port of Dover can handle the volume. It most certainly can in normal times but exceptional circumstances can occasionally overload even the best performance. Good to hear from you Bill. PaulB.





Tuesday, 11 August 2015 - 07:04

 

Post 2286

  WILLIAM JOHNSON, AUSTINS FERRY ,TASMANIA (williamjohnson@netspace.net.au)

G'Day all , I have been reading some of your comments ,in regard to using Manston as a temporary truck park ,but in doing so why not open Ramsgate back up to help ease the congestion at Dover, that way you can Ramsgate ferry's run to Bouloigne sur mer or Dunkerque .
cheer's Bill J

Tuesday, 11 August 2015 - 01:29

 

Post 2285

  Sea News, Dover

The Nederland Reefer in various stages of arrival yesterday morning sunday.
See also Ed's pic in post 1830.

Monday, 10 August 2015 - 07:18

 

Post 2284

  Sea News, Dover

Traffic Jam!
Both cruise liners leaving Sunday evening within moments of each other...

The Ocean Princess heading for St Helier and the Braemar heading northwards...it wasn't giving a destination at the time. Time of departure was about 17.15.

Well done with that list again Colette. Excellent.. some further excitements to look forward to there. Yes indeed Kevin.

That's a smashin' picture of the Nederland Reefer this morning Ed. Very nice shot indeed.
I have a couple to add to that tomorrow..showing her arrival.

Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 19:50

 

Post 2282

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Hebridean Princess is popular with HM The Queen and has been chartered by her in the past. As a maritime nation it's a shame in my opinion that we no longer have a Royal Yacht!

Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 19:43

 

Post 2281

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
______________

Fabulous photos and up to the minute news aplenty again on Sea News

And here's another exciting week of cruises

Tomorrow, Monday 10th August the AIDACara is back in Dover again at CT2, POC. She was last here in April this year.

On Wednesday 12th August the Saga Sapphire returns to CT1, TR.
The following day Thursday 13August, Saga Pearl II is also back at CT1, TR.

On Friday, 14th August, another lovely treat, the luxurious Hebridean Princess cruises into CT1, POC. She will be half way through her Historic Maritime Discovery cruise and was last seen in Dover in August 2011. She is operated by Hebridean Island Cruises and is an all inclusive cruise with 38 crew to look after only 50 guests .......... Bliss

Then on Sunday August 16th, the Artania arrives back at CT1, POC, she was here in May this year.

The following day, Monday August 17th, the Ocean Princess is back at CT2, TR.

Then I'll be back again with more BOF!!!!!



Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 18:04

 

Post 2280

  Ed Connell, Dover

Nederland Reefer at the DCT in the sunshine this afternoon.



Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 15:44

 

Post 2279

  Ed Connell, Dover

Calais Seaways bunkering from LS Concorde on the Eastern Arm today, as did Malo Seaways yesterday. The three D class vessels bunker in Dunkerque West over the weekend.



Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 10:04

 

Post 2278

  Sea News, Dover

And with mentioning Honfleur in the previous posts.. if readers want to see what it looks like...well here we are...
You can see why the cruise liners go there..
Yours truly took this picture about 4/5 years ago. The harbour is an 'al fresco' delight for sure. PB.

Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 07:56

 

Post 2277

  Sea News, Dover

Another shot of the super Crystal Serenity leaving last night, heading to Honfleur as we said. You can see the pilot boat and indeed pilot right next to it.
All in the blinding late-in-the-day sunlight.

A bit of news reached me last night that this is probably the last we will see of the Crystal ships as it looks like they are moving to Tilbury next year. Now - this is disappointing news. Hopefully the Port here has not lost out in this instance because of the awful Operation Stack. As we said previously, all local business will be hit if commercial and tourist and indeed local vehicles cannot move about freely. Disappointing.

Below we have a couple of pictures from Friday evening...Trinity House vessel Alert returning to harbour after another busy day out in the Channel.



Both Ocean Princess and Braemar in with us today.
Nice one below Ed!

Sunday, 9 August 2015 - 06:57

 

Post 2276

  Ed Connell, Dover

Bunker barge LS Concorde on the Eastern Arm during the afternoon.



Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 23:28

 

Post 2275

  Sea News, Dover

The Crystal Serenity leaving a short while ago...heading for a favourite destination...Honfleur. Wow!! France is basking in terrific weather we believe, so all will have a great time for sure down there. Get that Champagne on ice!


Pic below early morning - she languished gently on CT2. the ships are coming in so early that its not possible to photograph them as before.
It could ruin a chaps beauty sleep so it could.
PB


Well done with that pic of the fab ship Ed, great to get that angle. Terrif view.
You picked a nice day for it Vic.

Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 19:03

 

Post 2274

  vic matcham, dover

Yes we went to the end had a nice cupper and food in the cafe this morning also had some seafood on the way home went and had a look at all the photos in the tower yes it was all very nice.

Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 12:58

 

Post 2273

  Ed Connell, Dover

Crystal Serenity on CT2 today taking bunkers from LS Concorde.



Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 12:34

 

Post 2272

  Sea News, Dover

Vigilant returning home after another busy day in the Channel. In the background we can see the resting Albatros, wild bird of the seas.
The Albatross left in the colourful evening sun about 6.30pm ( or 18.30 if you wish ) heading northwards. It was a gorgeous evening in a sunny and very warm Dover. You can see her just moving off in the pic below and below that there she is just outside the harbour and beginning to gather pace.



ADDED EXTRA: A20 Traffic Management Measures implemented at 0800hrs (8.8.2015)

The Port of Dover has announced that due to high volumes of freight
traffic, traffic management measures have been implemented on the A20
at Aycliffe in Dover. The action is to prevent disruption to local
traffic and to keep the road network through Dover town free flowing.

Freight traffic heading for the Port of Dover is advised to use the
M20/A20 route and tourist traffic is advised to use the A2/M2 route if
heading for Dover.

Customers are advised to consult the Port of Dover website
(www.doverport.co.uk) or Twitter account (@PoD_travelnews) for the
latest travel information.

ENDS


The gorgeous Crystal Serenity is back with us today.
Nice one again Phil below...another monster Maersk there. Another whopper and no mistake. Well done Howard.

Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 06:50

 

Post 2271

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

One courtesy of Phil Smith, the Munkebo Maersk near the Varne with Bolougne cathedral in the background.





Friday, 7 August 2015 - 15:54

 

Post 2270

  Sea News, Dover

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU...

Yes indeed GOOGLE were checking us out yesterday along the seafront, wondering what we were up to...watching us watching them, as the glaringly colourful car just cant be missed, not with that world cup football on the top. George Orwell was oh so right...beware of the mighty state or indeed nowadays.... those international corporations!


A thundering Chinook went by the other evening, shattering the tranquillity. A fascinating machine. Yours truly was in a different location so the war machine slipped out of view and out of focus before one could say Jack Spratt....but the second picture below is one I made earlier at a previous time and shows it better.
That one was much closer and rattled both the ol' fillings and the bone china! The Royal Albert didn't know what hit it!!?



The Albatros is with us today. Will aim to have pictures later.

Friday, 7 August 2015 - 07:42

 

Post 2269

  Sea News, Dover

Night Falls on the Harbour: These pictures from last evening ( Wednesday ) ..taken late late in the day as the light fades away. The pix show the Pride of Burgundy, it looks like the PofB anyway, reversing into Dover 9. It is mostly though about the big sky... another one of our big sky pictures.
All is calm.

Thursday, 6 August 2015 - 15:07

 

Post 2268

  Sea News, Dover

DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL RESPONDS TO USE OF MANSTON AIRPORT DURING OPERATION STACK
__________________________________________________________________________________

Dover District Council has raised objections to the use of the former Manston Airport site for HGV traffic bound for Port of Dover. "We have major reservations about the practicalities of the proposal and the resources that will be required to implement it," said Cllr Nigel Collor, Portfolio Holder for Access & Licensing.

Effectively, the proposal involves sending HGVs on a 50-mile diversion from Junction 7 of the M20, up the A249 (Detling Hill) and then on the M2/A299 (Thanet Way)/A253 to Manston. As hauliers often have contracts with both ferry operators and Eurotunnel, we believe most will simply choose to stay on the M20. The proposals to filter "quick to market" products on entry to Operation Stack will further complicate this process.

From Manston, HGVs will have to travel on the A256 from Thanet to Dover, much of which is single carriageway. Without effective management and resources, this has the potential to block Dover from both the West (M20/A20) and East (A2), which is also single carriageway into Dover. There is also potential for disruption to local traffic in Sandwich, Deal and rural villages.

We will be monitoring the effects of this proposal very carefully. We have been given assurances by central Government and Kent County Council that they will be monitoring local impacts, and we urge local residents to feedback their experience to community@dover.gov.uk

Cllr Nigel Collor concluded: "This is clearly not a sensible solution and has not been met with any great enthusiasm by the ferry operators. Any short term measures to increase holding capacity should be located close to the existing Operation Stack arrangements.

"What we need is for the Government to commit now to creating a sustainable road network in Kent that balances support for our vital economic cross-Channel trading links with the need for local people to go about their business without hindrance.

"We will continue to lobby for the dualling of the A2 all the way to Dover and a third Thames crossing as the only viable long-term solutions."

- ends –


See also the statement from Helen Deeble of P&O Ferries below in post 1816
See also the statement from Tim Waggott Port of Dover below in post 1814
Much thanks to all for sending the info through.

* *


Clearly there isn't a whole lot of enthusiasm for HMG's Manston idea...
just a reminder below of the awful stack situation. For hour after hour after hour this convoy of Honda Cars ( and there were yet more just out of shot ) inched for six hours/nine hours towards continental Europe. Clearly this isn't an ideal situation for the super-efficient Honda Motor Corp. A long term solution must be found.



Thursday, 6 August 2015 - 06:46

 

Post 2267

  vic matcham, dover

And they are right, would be good only if they open the port of Ramsgate .

Wednesday, 5 August 2015 - 17:39