This is one of a series of articles to commemorate our 40th Anniversary year. Here we look back at our third decade, the first decade of the new millennium in the 2000s, through the themes of the people, places, events and technology of the world around us during that year and covering music, movies and cars.
2000
The first year of the new millennium witnessed some long-awaited changes. The most far-reaching for trade in Europe was the official introduction of the Euro currency, starting in 1999 and fully underway on 1st January 2000, as 11 European countries swapped their historic currencies for the new common currency.
Some eye-catching historic and sometimes controversial infrastructure projects were completed and opened in 2000, such as the Millennium Wheel (London Eye); Millennium Dome; Millennium Bridge in London and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, along with others.
Around the ports, the first Simon Group berths opened at Killingholme, with new freight ferries also launched. More sadly, on 1st October the last commercial hovercraft sailing (‘flight’) departed from Dover amid much fanfare.
The top two cars sold in 2000 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa, with UK car sales overall breaking previous records at nearly a quarter of a million. In music the best-selling single in our 17th anniversary year was Bob the Builder with ‘Can We Fix It’ and ‘Toy Story 2’ was the year’s top movie.
2001
In 2001 we entered our 18th year of successful operations. Looking back there are a surprisingly high number of people who already had many years of service even by 2001, and who are still working at Harbour Shipping to this day. They form the Harbour Shipping Hall of Fame. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Steve Applebee, Steve Cummings, Shaun Newell, John Griffiths, Nicki Johnson and Phil White.
Of course the single most historic event of 2001 was the day of 4 suicide terrorist attacks in the United States culminating in the destruction of the World Trade Center on 11th September 2001 (9/11). The attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3000 innocent people.
The top two cars sold in 2001 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. In music the best-selling single in our 18th anniversary year was Shaggy with ‘It Wasn’t Me’. Two big franchise movies dominated cinemas that year: ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ just pipped ‘Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring’ for the top box office hit of the year.
2002
The great Nicki Read started with Harbour Shipping in 2002. Thanks Nicki! The same year our Customs Clearance team moved downstairs in Lord Warden House to begin operations in what has been our main office at Dover Western Docks ever since. In the UK 2002 was notable for ‘smart’ phones becoming more widespread, ie mobile phones connected to the internet and using apps, rather than being used for just calls and SMS.
The top two cars sold in 2002 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 19th anniversary year was Will Young with ‘Anything is Possible’. Two big franchise movies dominated cinemas that year: Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers just pipped Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for the top box office hit of the year.
2003
We celebrated our 20th anniversary with a generous dinner for colleagues from every company in the Star Cargo group of companies.
Elsewhere 2003 was historic for the momentous decision by the US and UK governments and others to invade Iraq. This huge land invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and led to 7 years of increasingly difficult military occupation after the country’s civil administration and economy collapsed.
LinkedIn was launched on 5th May 2003. What happened to that?
The top two cars sold in 2003 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 20th anniversary year was The Black-Eyed Peas with ‘Where is the Love’. The year’s top movie was ‘Lord of the Rings: Return of the King’.
2004
Two of our great colleagues began at Harbour Shipping in 2004. European toll and tunnel expert Michael Ford began at the Eastern Docks office and customs clearance expert Ray Hunter began at Lord Warden House. We’re delighted to say both are with us to this day. Thanks Michael and Ray!
Around UK ports, Felixstowe completed its post-panamax stages. The European Union made its largest expansion to date on 1st May 2004, incorporating the so-called ‘A10’ countries of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
A small website called Facebook was launched on 4th February. Whatever happened to that?
The top two cars sold in 2004 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 21st anniversary year was Band Aid 20 with ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’. The year’s top movie was ‘Shrek 2’.
2005
With business continuing to expand, 2005 was the year our Deep Sea Team became a fully-fledged team within the customs clearance arm although still working in parallel with the road-freight customs clearance operation.
The year was marred by the terrible terrorist bomb attacks in London on 7th July (7/7). The four bombs on crowded buses and tube trains killed 52 people and injured hundreds more. They were the UK’s largest single terrorist attack on British soil.
The top two cars sold in 2005 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 22nd anniversary year was Tony Christie (with Peter Kay) with ‘Is this the Way to Amarillo?’. The year’s top movie was ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.
2006
The great Meike Jones started with Harbour Shipping in 2006 and is an indispensable member of the finance team to this day. Thanks Meike!
A small website called Twitter was launched on 15th July and people started hearing about ‘tweets’.
The top two cars sold in 2006 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. In music the best-selling single in our 23rd anniversary year was Gnarls Barkley with ‘Crazy’. The year’s top movie was Daniel Craigs first outing as 007 James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’.
2007
With our customs clearance office at Lord Warden House very well-situated to support freight drivers and customers, in 2007 we opened our own Bureau de Change that continues to operate successfully today. Read more here.
The Labour government introduced legislation in England so that, on 1 July 2007, it became illegal to smoke in any pub, restaurant, nightclub, and most workplaces and work vehicles, anywhere in the UK, as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already had similar laws in place. It’s hard to believe now that until that point people could smoke in offices, pubs and taxis and it had been normal for years!
The top two cars sold in 2007 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. In music the best-selling single in our 24th anniversary year was Leona Lewis with ‘Bleeding Love’. The year’s top movie was ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’.
2008
We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a generous dinner for colleagues from every company in the Star Cargo group of companies. This took place on 21st June at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel near Meriden.
The great Dorothea Doyle started with Harbour Shipping in 2008 and has been an indispensable member of the Ferry Booking team at the Eastern Docks ever since. Thanks Dorothea!
The top two cars sold in 2008 were the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 25th anniversary year was Alexandra Burke with ‘Hallelujah’. The year’s top movie was feel-good Abba tribute musical ‘Mamma Mia’.
2009
The great Michael Tschirsch started with Harbour Shipping in 2009 and has been an indispensable member of the Ferry Booking team at the Eastern Docks ever since. Thanks Michael!
The top two cars sold in 2009 were the new Ford Fiesta Mark 6 and the Vauxhall Corsa. In music the best-selling single in our 26th anniversary year was Lady Gaga with ‘Poker Face’. The year’s top movie was ‘Avatar’.