The Port of Dover has received a recognised award for temperature-controlled cargo operations. In full, the “BRCGS Global Standard Storage and Distribution certification for Category 01: Temperature Controlled Storage, covering chilled and frozen goods” is a widely recognised standard for food safety and quality. The certification strengthens Dover’s role in handling perishable cargo in the UK.
Handling approximately 400,000 tonnes of cargo annually, Dover has become an important gateway for temperature-sensitive imports. The port already prides itself on high standards, and now has an additional certificate to back that up. That makes its multi-chamber cold storage warehouse all the more desirable for perishables.
Highest food safety and quality
The certified warehouse spans over 9,600 square metres, with 5,500 pallet spaces and temperature control ranging from +1°C to +15°C. Suitably wrapped up, Alison Hall, Head of Business Development at Port of Dover Cargo, said the certification demonstrates the port’s commitment to high standards in cold chain logistics. “It reflects our dedication to providing our customers with facilities that meet the highest food safety and quality standards,” she said.
BRCGS certification stands for Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards. It was formerly the British Retail Consortium Global Standards, and is widely used across the food and logistics industries as a mark of compliance with operational best practice. Certification is often a requirement for suppliers working with major retailers and food manufacturers.
Reefer capacity remains a key strength for Dover
Standards are all the more important at a port that sees such high traffic levels. UK Food Cert, the certification body, noted the port’s effort in achieving compliance. “We understand the commitment it takes to meet BRCGS requirements,” said Oliver Hynes, Product Director – Food and Packaging. The port handles a range of reefer and breakbulk cargoes and is a key entry point for chilled and frozen goods into the UK. Dover takes advantage of its location on the narrow Short Strait of the English Channel to allow rapid berthing, which reduces transit time for perishable imports.
Port facilities include two deep-water berths capable of accommodating vessels up to 300m in length overall, with a draft of up to 10m. The port is also approved for handling high-risk non-animal origin produce under the UK’s Border Control Post (BCP) framework. The BRCGS certification follows recent investment in infrastructure, including the port’s temperature-controlled distribution centre.
Emissions reduction strategy remains a priority
Since 2007, the port says it has reduced its carbon footprint by 95.4%, driven by a combination of renewable energy usage, electrification of port vehicles, and solar-powered facilities. The Port of Dover has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. They say shipping goods via Dover rather than other UK ports such as Tilbury can save up to 15 tonnes of CO₂ per shipment. They claim they can almost eliminate Emissions Trading Scheme costs (by as much as 98.5%), depending on the operator’s shipping strategy.
Dover expects to benefit from the planned Lower Thames Crossing – a project that has just been given the green light by the UK government. The forthcoming tunnel is expected to improve freight flows to the North of England by avoiding London, easing congestion and improving journey times from Dover to key inland destinations.
Highway for a quick getaway
The port already benefits from direct access to the M20/A20 and M2/A2 corridors, providing onward road connections to London and the Midlands. The port views these developments as critical to maintaining the reliability and efficiency of its cargo operations, particularly for time-sensitive reefer traffic.
Dover is by far the busiest RoRo ferry port in the UK and among the busiest in Europe, as reported recently in our print edition. Up to 2.4 million trucks pass through Dover annually. It handles 33% of all UK-EU trade in goods by value, and facilitates £144 billion worth of trade each year.