Port of Dover should be source of national pride says CEO Doug Bannister
The Port of Dover is the DNA of the people who live and work around it and this, according to CEO Doug Bannister, is the secret to how it overcomes the challenges that come with being one of the world's busiest logistical hubs.
Over 800 people, employed directly and indirectly, help keep Europe's busiest port ticking over as it deals with the one billion pounds worth of goods that move through it each day.
Doug Bannister, who took on the role of CEO three years ago, said the port's culture centred around keeping things moving.
"This port is in the DNA of people down here, they identify with it and it goes down the generations, he said.
"There is this shared heritage and core belief in what we are doing.
"Everyone's focus is on keeping traffic moving and keeping everything going despite impressions that we are stopping every vehicle to check paperwork.
"Everyone and everything is geared towards letting the traffic roll and not stopping it unless we have to."
National pride
The Port of Dover CEO said that this was being achieved day-in-day-out at the port should be a source of national pride.
He said: "We had a summit of politicians here and I said we have to change the lens here. Dover is not the problem. Look at what we have been able to achieve.
READ MORE: Plans revealed for £90m Portsmouth Port upgrade
"Two Christmases ago when the French shut the border for two days and there was traffic chaos, we had 2,500 lorries stationed two days before Christmas and by the 28th we were down to 50.
"My challenge to that room was how do we pivot national ridicule of the problems that can be down here towards national pride and celebrate this jewel that we have, this asset and help everybody to find pride in it."
People who have worked at the port retain an affinity and interest with it, according to Doug, who says it remains in their blood.
He said: "I came into the front of the building and there was a guy at reception who wanted to organise a meeting.
"He had worked back in the caves back in the day . The caves were used for oil storage and are now blocked off.
"He had taken some pictures of it during his time there and wanted to get access to them so that he could replicate the photo he had taken.
"There is such huge pride in this place and not just for the people that work here now but for the generations that go back and including all their family and friends."
READ MORE: Ship repairer SMS Group has best year in company's history
Career history
Doug was Group CEO for Ports of Jersey which operated the island’s harbours, coastguard, marinas and airport before arriving at Dover.
He has held senior positions in the maritime sector around the globe and was previously managing director of UK and Ireland for Maersk Line.
What is it that drew him to the industry and has kept him on board since?
"This industry is very physical and you can see the effects of what you are doing very quickly, he said.
"In some other businesses, such as insurance for example, it is harder to see that tangible effect.
"People's livelihoods are dependent on what we do and it is great to be connected to an industry which is so vital for global prosperity."
Pandemic
Dover is the UK's second biggest cruise port after Southampton therefore its finances were hit hard by the pandemic with the industry coming to an abrupt halt and the volume of freight being moved through the port dropping dramatically due to Covid restrictions.
Doug said: "Our business outlook is looking more robust than it has been over the past two years which have been pretty painful for everyone.
"In January we saw a good volume of freight returning compared to last year and we are anticipating a good tourist season following the removal of restrictions.
"We are now able to think a lot more about what the year might look like."
Growth areas
The Port of Dover CEO said he was anticipating a return to market norms with the cruise industry over the next two to three years with the number of cruise ship visits already markedly up on last year.
Doug said: "We should hopefully see a good rebound in tourist travel since Covid .
"The ferry makes a good way to travel and allows you to stay in your car through the whole port and when you get on the ferry there is plenty of space to spread out.
"You are only on board for about 90 minutes so it is very fast."
Cargo is a growth area for the port and this has been aided by the £250m Dover Western Docks Revival programme which is the largest investment in the port's 400 plus year history.
Construction started in 2015 with the new cargo terminal opening at the tail end of 2019 alongside two deep water berths.
The port is seeing a growth in the import and export of construction materials.
Western Docks Revival
Doug said: "The Western Docks have been operational since 1606 however activity has swung towards the ferry terminal since the 1950s.
"One of the anchor reasons for doing the Western Docks Revival programme was to relocate our cargo operation out of the ferry terminal and into its own dedicated spot in the western docks.
"Our core business when it was on the other side of the port was fresh produce - a third of all bananas consumed in the UK come through Dover - however we are now seeing growth in construction materials.
"We now have more space to take these commodities and can really grow this area."
Marina
The Port of Dover marina is set to open in September following a delay after it was completed three years ago due to a "rogue swell".
Plans to install an outer wave screen to ensure the waters remain calm is currently undergoing consultation.
Doug said: "We have got a bit of work to do around unintended swell which affects the marina at high tides particularly in spring.
"It's not very comfortable for people using the marina and if it is really bad then it is quite unsafe. We have put an inner wave screen in place and that has had the desired effect but we know that wasn't going to be able to cut it alone.
"We have also got the outer wave screen that we need to install on the harbour which is currently going through consultation.
"Our boat owners are itching to get into it."
Property ambitions
While tourism and cargo are driving growth, the Port of Dover CEO sees potential in the port's sprawling estate.
Developers are already moving in with a development of luxury flats completed and planning permission submitted for a new hotel targeted at Electric Vehicle owners.
Doug said: "We have the whole waterfront area with these gorgeous buildings which tend to be more of a liability than an asset due to the cost of maintaining them.
"If there was something we could create that would unlock a bit more economic value of those properties while creating some more regeneration opportunities then I think that's a good strategy for us."
