• The Port of Dover’s Summer Getaway starts Thursday 18th July, 2024.

Ahead of the peak holiday getaway period, the Port of Dover announce their extensive Summer Getaway plans, working with their partners, ahead of what traffic forecasts predict to be a demanding summer period.

Partners that make up the summer getaway system include the Police Aux Frontières, Border Force, the Port’s three ferry operators DFDS, P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries, and the Kent & Medway Resilience Forum, all of which have put measured plans in place to support the collective goal for an efficient summer operation as possible.

The operational plan includes:

• Working closely with coach customers and ferry operators to spread travel demand during peak times.
• The introduction of a new, freight permit system in Brock on the surrounding Kent roads
• Utilising the designated Coach Processing Facility on the approach to the ferry terminal to conduct the Advanced Passenger Information (API) checks and smooth movements to the Port
• Installing additional border control infrastructure at the French border for tourist traffic, from seven positions to 11 (+57%) whilst retaining 2 freight and 5 coach positions
• Sharing hour-by-hour projections for every day of the summer getaway with operational partners, to enable them to plan their resources and processes
• Leveraging the Port’s team of Passenger Champions who will be located ahead of border controls and on hand to assist passengers during peak periods
• Providing regular operational updates on the Twitter/X account, Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) and the website, portofdover.com/summer
• Providing additional facilities, including pet welfare, ahead of border controls, which will further supplement the existing retail and amenities available after check-in within the Passenger Services Building

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, says: “Summer Getaways are always exceptionally busy periods for airports and ports alike as families set off on their holidays. Much like at airports, where processing time can be around 2 hours, the Port of Dover will see processing times that mirror this as we at the popular port of choice, with a quick route to the continent.

As well as having even more tourist traffic coming our way this year, we have the added challenge of having to implement our infrastructure works required by France and the EU to support the EU’s new Entry / Exit system due to go live in October.

On arrival at the port this summer, our customers will see the contractors we have on-site, working around an already busy 24/7 operation to construct these facilities. The effect of these works that are required to house the process means that our Buffer Zone, where traffic waits for French border clearance, will have a reduced capacity.

In addition to these vital works, we must also factor in an anticipated increase in traveller numbers of 30%, who will be making their way to Paris for the Olympic Games, starting later this month.

We know that these external factors will have an impact on customer’s journeys to and through the port, but we will continue to work hard with our partners to prioritise their experience.

We have added in as much capacity as we can to compensate, but we have a duty of care to be responsible. On that basis, we are advising those who will be using the Port of Dover this summer that it will be exceptionally busy and therefore it is vital that they do not arrive any earlier than the 2 hours stated – just as if you were planning on flying from a UK airport. However, in the case of any issues with the sailing they are booked on, they will simply be placed on the next available sailing at no extra cost as sailings will be continuous throughout the day.

The addition of the new freight permit system will assist with the reduction of non-compliant traffic on the surrounding Kent roads, an issue that we know often impacts local residents and businesses, as they try to go about their day-to-day activities.

Our current modelling indicates that processing times inside the port will be up to 2 hours during the peak hours of 6am to 1pm on Fridays, through to Sundays every weekend of the summer holidays, due to the extreme popularity of these days.

We value all of the customers who choose to use the Port of Dover. We anticipate some busy times ahead this Summer and are undoubtedly appreciative of their patience and support whilst we get them on the way to their holiday.”

The Port of Dover has also recently invested in new, AI technology and utilising this can predict future traffic in 15-minute intervals, two weeks in advance. The platform has been operating at >95% accuracy and enables the port to be able to plan resources accordingly.

Toby Mills, CEO of Entopy said: “Our AI-enabled Digital Twin platform integrates multiple, highly focused AI models predicting traffic at different parts of the strategic road network as well as more random events such as incidents and road works in real-time, to deliver dynamic predictive intelligence regarding future traffic flows, helping the Port of Dover and their partners to make informed decisions regarding their traffic management”.

The Port of Dover’s travel advice to passengers, to ensure they have the best start to their holidays this summer is as follows:

• Allow plenty of time for your journey, but please do not arrive more than 2 hours before your allotted sailing. If you do experience any issues, rest assured, you will be placed on the next available sailing, at no extra cost.
• Travel to the Ferry Terminal via the recommended main routes only
• Please do not turn up at the port without a booking
• Ensure you have sufficient food, snacks and entertainment with you to provide a comfortable journey for your family
• Have passports open and ready before border controls to ensure the quickest possible transit and reduce the waiting time for other vehicles
• For more information and summer travel advice: portofdover.com/summer