Port of Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR)
Dover, Kent, UK · 2014–2019 (main construction phase) · £250m (estimated total investment)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchStrategic investment to future-proof the Port of Dover, enhancing its capacity for cruise, cargo, and ferry operations. - The project achieved a high CEEQUAL (now BREEAM Infrastructure) rating, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability. - The revival transformed the Western Docks into a multi-purpose waterfront destination, benefiting both port operations and the local community. - Complex coordination required to manage construction alongside continuous port traffic and environmental sensitivities.
Key engineering challenges
Constructing new deep-water berths and reclaiming land in a busy tidal port environment while maintaining existing operations. - Extensive dredging and reclamation works to create new port facilities and a marina. - Designing and building robust marine structures, including combi-piled quay walls and a marina pier, to withstand harsh coastal conditions. - Integrating new port infrastructure with existing road networks and urban areas.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Dover Harbour Board
- Lead contractor
- VolkerStevin (main contractor for marine civil engineering works), Graham Construction (for some elements)
- Lead designers
- Tony Gee and Partners (civil and structural engineering), VolkerStevin (design and construction of berths and marina pier)
- Project type
- upgrade | new build
- Scale
- Two new deep-water berths; new cargo terminal with 13 hectares of reclaimed land; 550m-long marina pier; over 2km of combi-piled quay walls; 1.2M m³ of dredging; 900,000 m³ of reclamation.
- Disciplines
- Marine; Civil; Structural; Geotechnical; Environmental; Dredging; Urban Planning
- Standards & frameworks
- UK port regulations, CEEQUAL/BREEAM Infrastructure, environmental impact assessments, relevant British Standards.
Sources: Port of Dover: About Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) (https://www.portofdover.com/corporate/about/corporate-about-dover-western-docks-revival-dwdr/) - VolkerStevin: Dover Western Docks Revival – Transforming Dover’s Waterfront (https://www.volkerstevin.co.uk/en/projects/dover-western-docks-revival-transforming-dovers-waterfront) - ICE: The Dover Western Docks Revival: Port Expansion (https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/the-dover-western-dock-revival) - Tony Gee: Dover Western Docks Revival (https://www.tonygee.com/our-work/dover-western-docksrevival) - BRE Group: Dover’s Western Docks Revival project gets CEEQUAL (https://bregroup.com/case-studies/dover-western-docks-revival-ceequel-excellent)