Port of Dover celebrates Marina opening

The new Marina, now taking pride of place on Dover’s revitalised waterfront, will become home to over 160 yachts and small leisure boats after opening this month. Around 50 berth holders are already in the new site permanently, with more continuing to move over throughout the first half of 2023.

With the sun beaming down, the White Cliffs and Dover Castle as a backdrop, and some of the most prestigious cruise ships sitting alongside, the Marina becomes a star of Dover’s revived waterfront. Surrounded by the Marina Curve and only a short walk from Dover Priory station, it provides the perfect opportunity for visitors and berth holders to celebrate local culture and history through new leisure experiences and events.

Last year’s events on the Marina Curve already proved extremely popular, and with the Marina now open, the waterfront will provide fantastic entertainment and leisure opportunities this spring/summer season.

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

“The Port is transforming, and the Marina opening is the perfect showcase of our new modern look and identity. My thanks go to the Marina and Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) teams for working so hard to provide this world leading facility for our berth holders.

It’s also a fantastic new attraction for Dover and being perfectly situated next to our cruise terminals, brings communities together from across the nation and globally. We face a bright future, and I am confident that the waterfront will soon become one of the best destinations for exploring the South East coast.”

Chris Windsor, Marina Manager said:

“The official opening marks a milestone for the Marina and Port – I’m delighted that our berth holders have started to settle in their new, permanent base, and can make the most of the brilliant opportunities now available to them.

We take pride in being a seamless and sustainable port, and I have no doubt that the Marina and my team, will continue to provide berth holders with an exceptional experience and service.”

The highlight facilities for berth holders include a dedicated fueling station on its own berth, a hard standing and level boatyard with large capacity, and a new Marina office. All features of the new Marina and waterfront have been built around a sustainable mixed-use scheme.

The Dover Marina showcase will take place on 20th May, with tours, displays and demonstrations, plus boat sales, live music and street food.

A new year-round program of events surrounding the Marina Curve has recently been announced, with more information here. Further details on all the events will be available soon.

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.