DC Aggregates has signed a three-year deal with the Port of Dover

Port of Dover builds for the future as construction hub

The Port of Dover's Eastern Docks has famously handled significant unitised freight for the construction industry over many years, but the Port is now handling a range of bulk and general cargo vessel via its cargo business; solidifying the Port as a major hub for the South East construction sector. Dover's cargo terminal facilitates a booming trade in building materials, which has now been strengthened by an agreement between the Port and DC Aggregates. 

Through the provision of deepwater berths and a state-of-the-art terminal, the Port of Dover’s cargo business handles construction-related cargo shipments on a huge scale. Processing materials destined for large UK infrastructure projects, the Port is now positioned as a key construction hub for the South East, London and the near continent. 

The cargo terminal, which opened in 2019, handles a wide variety of goods for the construction industry, including steel, timber, project cargoes and aggregates. The terminal also has the ability to handle deep sea and coaster-size vessels (general cargo, bulk carrier and unitised vessels). This is in addition to the existing roll-on roll-off operation that carries unitised volumes through Dover’s Eastern Docks and boasts an unparalleled ferry service with a scale and frequency unmatched by other UK ports. 

Commenting, Alison Hall, Head of Business Development, at the Port of Dover, said: “We have seen a great level of growth in the construction trade coming through the Port of Dover’s cargo terminal. These construction materials will be used to support regional infrastructure developments, including road enhancements and industrial and housing projects in Kent and across the South East. As well as this, these materials will also support the community much closer to home with our upcoming construction and regeneration projects, including Dover’s Marina Curve and our wider port developments in the Westerns and Eastern Docks.” 

Testament to industry confidence in Dover’s ability to deliver at both scale and pace is the new agreement between the Port of Dover and DC Aggregates, one of the largest producers and suppliers of quarried hard stone and sea-dredged aggregates in Northern Europe. Having already been regular customers of the cargo terminal, DC Aggregates has solidified its commitment to Dover through a three-year agreement, which includes regular calls and supportive onsite storage. 

This agreement cements Dover’s relationship with the company, supporting their continued growth by handling a range of materials – including sea-dredged sands and gravel and quarried Norwegian granite - while growing the Port's own market share within the construction sector. 

With the capability to facilitate self-discharging vessels and process a range of aggregates, the Port currently handles over 100,000 tonnes per annum of aggregate imported by DC Aggregates. 

The new agreement includes multiple regular ship calls, including monthly visits by DC Vlaanderen discharging upwards of 4,000 tonnes of cargo, DC Orisant with upwards of 10,000 tonnes of cargo, as well as a range of ships discharging 5,000-10,000 tonnes visiting at least once a month. 

Commenting, Richard Dunn, Commercial Manager at DC Aggregates, said: “DC Aggregates is delighted to have strengthened our relationship with the Port of Dover through our recent aggregate handling agreement. We will be using the cargo terminal to meet the high demand for aggregate required in the UK and to facilitate key construction projects, particularly in the South East, and we look forward to working closely with the Port of Dover to deliver this.” 

Concluding, Alison Hall said: “With our Western Docks development moving into its third stage over the next couple of years, we hope to expand on the partnership with DC Aggregate and to see our service offer diversify to support market sector demand.”   

Notes to Editors: 

The Port of Dover is the UK's busiest international ferry port, handling more lorries than all other UK ports put together through an unrivalled and fluid operation capable of facilitating 120 ferry movements and 110 miles of freight per day. £144bn worth of UK trade and 33% of all trade with the EU is handled by the Port of Dover. 

Dover is also the UK’s second busiest cruise port, has a marina and property business primed to benefit from a new waterfront and a busy cargo business handling fresh produce, containers, project cargo, general cargo and grain operating from a state-of-the-art terminal.

(Press release issued by the Port of Dover)