Port of Dover Cargo celebrates successful winter perishable season

Dover Cargo has reached a milestone with its winter perishable season, handling its largest amount of fresh produce, with 31 vessel calls altogether between December and March.

Over 22,000 pallets and 700 containers of fruit have been distributed to UK supermarkets from South Africa and Central/South America, proving that the Port is closing the gap between the UK and the rest of the world with its seamless and efficient “just-in-time” operation.

Regular calls from GreenSea and Seatrade have utilised Dover’s state-of-the-art, multi-user cargo facilities to ensure that their perishable products reached the final destination efficiently and in the best condition. The temperature-controlled, highly secure terminal can handle temperatures between 1 and 15 degrees and has refrigerated storage for over 5,500 pallets, so food quality and safety are never compromised.

Alison Hall, Head of Business Development at the Port of Dover said:

“We are delighted to be celebrating this landmark moment for our business – it proves that Dover has trust from across the industry to deliver a fresh product to supermarket shelves regardless of where it originates from in the world.

Our specialised and flexible service situated on the world’s busiest shipping lane connects trade between the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world, bringing communities together locally to globally.”

As a leader in sustainability and a vital gateway between the UK and the Continent, the Port has also ensured that fresh produce CO2 miles have been saved by reducing the length of journeys and the time of onwards distribution.

Justin Szymborski, Chief Executive Officer of Melon & Co said:

 “As one of the main users of the service, Dover has proven to be a trusted and flexible partner providing a quality, reliable and strong customer focused service throughout the season. It has ensured that we have strong availability of stock into the UK melon market and a completely fresh product. We look forward to building on the successes of this season and taking our relationship even further in the future.”

The team is now pressing ahead with another promising and diverse season of further fresh produce, grain, aggregates, breakbulk and project cargo.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is also an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to the most prestigious cruise lines. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a brand-new marina which is a major feature of the exciting waterfront development, and opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.