The Port of Dover, which is Europe’s busiest ferry port, has become embroiled in an argument over privatisation that is also threatening the security of several other not-for-profit ports in the UK, including the Port of Tyne and Milford Haven.

The Dover Harbour Board has stressed that the capacity of existing facilities will most probably be exhausted by 2020 and that, in order to fund a proposed £400 million new ferry terminal on the derelict western docks, privatisation is necessary. The coalition Government has encouraged privatisation of the port, not least because a substantial proportion of the proceeds would feed through to the Treasury. However, Charles Elphicke, Dover’s newly elected Conservative MP, does not share his party’s enthusiasm for privatisation.

Mr Elphicke wishes to turn the Port of Dover into a “people’s port” owned by the local community. Dover’s three ferry operators, P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and DFDS Seaways, have also raised concerns over the possibility of privatisation. In particular, P&O Ferries’ chief executive, Helen Deeble, fears that privatisation would not necessarily result in new developments. Ms Deeble also queried what would happen to the £60 million invested by P&O Ferries into the Port of Dover, on the understanding that a new terminal would be built.

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