ports

Dover Warns of Freight Disruptions as EU Passport Processing Strains Port Capacity

Dover Harbour Board is sounding the alarm over potential freight congestion as the EU's Entry Exit Scheme creates bottlenecks at the UK's busiest short-sea ferry terminal. The port handled a critical incident in May when EES processing delays caused gridlock after just 8,500 tourist vehicles passed through on a single Saturday. With daily summer volumes expected to exceed 12,000 vehicles, logistics executives fear disruption to freight flows through Dover, which processes roughly 30% of UK-Europe maritime trade. Despite Dover's £40 million investment in 84 new passport kiosks at its Western Docks facility, French authorities are restricting tourist vehicle processing to the Eastern Dock area due to capacity constraints beyond the port's control. Port leadership has escalated concerns to Parliament's business and trade committee as peak summer season approaches.