Harbour Shipping 1-minute Timelapse Video
Harbour Shipping Embraces Change
When Harbour Shipping was founded in 1983 the world was still paper-based. Cross-Channel traffic travelled via ferries from Folkestone and Ramsgate as well as Dover and the Channel Tunnel was still just a proposal.
There were paper tickets for cross-Channel traffic. There were also numerous paper forms for customs purposes that made it necessary to have direct contact with drivers, so it made sense for customs agents and ferry agents to be as close to the port traffic as possible.
That’s why Harbour Shipping began in 1983 at offices within Dover Eastern Docks and also spread to offices within Dover Western Docks.
In recent years however, digitisation and modern technology have revolutionised ferry travel and customs arrangements for imports and exports. The inland border moved to Sevington, Ashford, and reasons for drivers to carry paper documents have become fewer and fewer. This process continues.
Looking to the Future
By 2023 it was time to leave the old Dover port buildings behind and look to the future. So Harbour Shipping began the process of building our own brand-new state-of-the-art HQ at Whitfield Business Park in Dover.
Planning permission took many long months of negotiation, but finally construction began in January 2024 and was largely complete in December 2024 ready for the first teams to move into the new building in January 2025. As the customs clearance team operate 24/7 around-the-clock it will be the final team to transfer in February 2025.
The new Harbour Shipping Headquarters building heralds a new era for the company and our many colleagues. For staff, we will no longer be caught up in port traffic, and will have easier access to our workplace with a much greater choice of leisure and shopping within walking distance.
For clients, this is a major step forward in Harbour Shipping’s renowned round-the-clock customer service. The move will be seamless so the only difference our clients will notice is they get even better service. That is entirely the point.
You can watch how the building work progressed throughout 2024 in this quick animation, from the garage that was there to the stylish new 2-storey building.
Get in Touch
Our track record of 40 years of skill and experience means Harbour Shipping can help your business move freight around Europe and the rest of the World. So whatever reason you’re shipping goods to or from the UK it makes sense to get in touch with us.
Use the contact form here
Phone +44 (0) 1304 211919
Email: [email protected]