FBJ


FREIGHT BUSINESS JOURNAL ISSUE 3 2020


www.f j-online.com


Freight Software Guide: CDS, EU Exit and Coronavirus p.12


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The port of Dover is straining every sinew to ensure that the UK stays open for business, chief executive Doug Bannister told FBJ in an interview. Ferry freight traffi c is near normal levels, and is being handled with minimum congestion and hold-ups, he says. “I would say that ferry freight


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traffi c is down by only 20%, and it’s showing signs of stabilising,” he said. “Our general cargo business has also been doing very well.” However, with ferry passenger


traffi c reduced to a trickle and cruise passengers non-existent, Dover was facing some tough business decisions, and discussions were taking place with government


about possible fi nancial support. Unlike some other businesses, the port had not been able to furlough signifi cant numbers of staff , as most of these were still required to keep it operational. Bannister explained: “For this


reason, Dover cannot take full advantages of schemes such as furloughing, but we are talking to government about more general programmes.” Staff absenteeism was in fact


very low, with an estimated 1% or less off sick due to the virus or self- isolation. P&O Ferries and DFDS are now


carrying only small numbers of passengers and cars on their Dover-


Calais routes. However, they were maintaining normal


schedules,


said Bannister, and indeed were keeping up to three vessels on “warm stand-by” to fi ll in any gaps in the schedule that may arise. Meanwhile, the extra space


released by passengers on board the ferries was proving useful for freight drivers to spread themselves out and observe social distancing rules. Currently, freight drivers are


not generally being subjected to temperature checks or other health monitoring in Dover, which has helped ensure that traffi c remains free-fl owing and that average import dwell time


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Northwest England: Extraordinary times p.16


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for accompanied trucks remains below fi ve minutes, says Bannister. The port also has ample personal protective equipment (PPE), having stocked up in January when it fi rst became apparent that a major health crisis was brewing. Doug


Bannister added: “I’m


immensely proud of how, during this crisis, everyone has rallied behind us – not just the port’s own staff , but Border Force, Police, security staff , cleaners – everyone. People realise just how vital Dover is to the prosperity of the whole nation.”


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