Search for new port operator unsuccessful

No contracts have been offered in the search for an operator for the Port of Ramsgate

A search for an operator for a port in Kent has been unsuccessful.

A procurement process undertaken by Thanet District Council began in August last year with the aim of attracting a concession operator for the Port of Ramsgate.

An operator would be responsible for running a substantial part of the port, including 17.8 acres of port land and the two roll-on roll-off ferry berths.

However, despite an initial successful tender stage in November, the council said no contracts have been offered.

Bidders were invited to submit an initial tender for consideration, but the council was unable to take discussions beyond the dialogue stage, it said.

The Port of Ramsgate hosted scheduled cross-channel operations between 1981 and 2013, and more recently hosted the ad hoc arrival of trade car vessels from Zeebrugge until 2020.

Although there are currently no cross-channel services from Ramsgate, the port remains open with established wind farm and aggregates operations based there.

Thanet District Council began the search for a concession operator for the port in August last year

Following a cabinet decision in March 2023, the council said it had been actively seeking a concession operator.

"This is to establish a multi-purpose port, allowing the existing wind farm and aggregates operations to continue alongside a new cross-channel port operator and the planned Green Campus building," a council spokesperson said.

"This set up would give the council control over how the port is managed by each of the commercial entities operating from the port, whilst reducing the levels of risk and responsibility."

Levelling up funding has been allocated to improve the infrastructure at the port. Of this, a grant of £4.5m was to be made available to the prospective concessionaire, as a contribution to the delivery of capital works at the port.

In the immediate future, the council said it would explore the options for establishing a port operator concession and would renew discussions with government about potential funding opportunities.

A further report is to be brought to cabinet in the coming months to formally agree future plans for the port.

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