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Port of Dover

GBDVR🇬🇧United Kingdom

Also known as: Dover Ferry Terminal, Dover Harbour

This cross-channel port is located in Dover, Kent, on the English Channel. It serves as a major hub for passenger ferries, cruise ships, and maritime cargo. The port handles significant volumes of lorries, cars, and coaches, and is the closest English port to France.

Background
The Port of Dover is a cross-channel ferry, cruise terminal, maritime cargo and marina facility situated in Dover, Kent, south-east England. It is the nearest English port to France, at just 34 kilometres (21 mi) away, and is one of the world's busiest maritime passenger ports, with 11.7 million passengers, 2.6 million lorries, 2.2 million cars and motorcycles and 80,000 coaches passing through it in 2017, and with an annual turnover of £58.5 million a year. This compares with the nearby Channel Tunnel, the only fixed link between the island of Great Britain and the European mainland, which now handles an estimated 20 million passengers and 1.6 million trucks per year.
Loading current conditions…
Channel Depth
8ft
Tidal Range
6ft
Elevation
5m
Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile, Floating
Drydock
U
Repair Code
C
UN/LOCODE
GBDVR
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
PRT (Port)
Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal breakwater
Shelter
Fair
Subdivision
GB-KEN
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
English Channel
Body of Water
English Channel
Latitude
51.1225°
Longitude
1.3298°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Dover?+
The approach to Dover is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Deal Pier Lighthouse at 2.1 NM to the ENE. Other aids include St. Mary's of Reculver (15.8 NM NNE), Herne Bay (17.5 NM NNW), Calais Arrondissement Lighthouses (19.6 NM ESE), Rye East Arm (24 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Dover?+
The Port of Dover is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Dover?+
You can track vessels near Dover (GBDVR) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for GBDVR on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Dover?+
The Port of Dover operates in the UTC+0 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.