Dover is the busiest ferry port in the world and provides a vital link between the UK and Europe.
It also operates two cruise liner berths, a cargo terminal for fresh produce and a 400-berth marina.
Demand for the port’s services has begun to outstrip capacity, and in 2003 Halcrow was commissioned by Dover Harbour Board to help shape the port's future. The objective was to develop a vision for the Port of Dover, and provide a master plan for its development over the next 30 years.
As a Trust Port, Dover’s remit is to operate on a commercial basis to best serve the interests of the UK, surrounding communities and users. The intention behind Halcrow’s master plan was to define a development strategy that would address the expected growth in traffic, continue to contribute to the local economy, minimise the negative impacts on the town and ensure that customers continued to receive the high level of service they had come to expect.
The master plan has been developed in two stages. Phase 1 in 2003 included traffic forecasts and assessments of the existing and potential port capacities. It indicated how each trade sector could develop. Phase 2 began in 2004 and involved preparing an incremental development plan which focused on maximising use of the existing harbour (both Eastern and Western Docks). It analysed investment return and prioritised conflicting options.
A key aspect of the planning involved the use of traffic simulation modelling for both road traffic and ship movements. For road traffic, VISSIM micro simulation models were set up to investigate traffic movements in the dock areas and on the surrounding road network. For ship movements, a bespoke model was developed using ARENA to investigate existing and planned operations.
The port continues to grow, and in 2008 it handled 2.8 million tourist car journeys, a record 144 cruise ships carrying 270,000 passengers, and 2.3 million freight units.