Planning

Port of Dover Ferry Charging

DOVER HARBOUR BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

31 Jul 2025 at 09:42

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

31 Jul 2025 at 09:35

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Dover Harbour Board is undertaking a planned procurement process for a project titled "Port of Dover Ferry Charging," focusing on high voltage installation work within the industry category of electrical installations. This procurement is in the planning update stage as of 31st July 2025, with an expression of interest deadline set for 30th September 2025. The project's location is Dover, UK, and aims to establish a Green Corridor between Dover, Calais, and Dunkirk by enabling ferry shore power charging. Strategic funding partners are being sought for this initiative, with necessary alignments with the Port Boulogne Calais and the Port of Dunkerque. The process follows a selective procurement method featuring a competitive flexible procedure, and the award period is expected to conclude by 1st April 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in high voltage and electrical installation works, especially those with capabilities in developing infrastructure for sustainable energy solutions. Companies specialising in high voltage cable, electrical engineering, and electrical distribution apparatus installation would find this project particularly appealing. By partnering with the Port of Dover and potential ferry operators like DFDS, which plans to electrify their fleet by 2035, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation, supporting the UK’s move towards the Net Zero 2050 goals. This project not only supports environmental objectives but also opens doors for long-term strategic partnerships, advancing innovation and investment in maritime technology.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Port of Dover Ferry Charging

Notice Description

The Port of Dover are seeking expressions of interest from strategic funding partners to work with us on an exciting new project to develop and enable the Port to facilitate green straights between Dover, Calais and Dunkirk, which will allow the port to offer ferry shore power charging. The port system generates approximately 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 annually (which is equivalent to 8% of UK maritime emissions as a whole), shipping being the largest contributor representing 75% of those emissions, the electrification of these ferries will drastically reduce these carbon and air quality emissions. The electrification of the ferries would mean that this vital trade route would also become a high-volume Green Corridor which would directly support DfT's Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, COP26 and the Clydebank Declaration objectives progressing the nation's move to Net Zero 2050. This work would demonstrate a large-scale, real-world application for net zero shipping corridors, opening the door for similar investments and innovations across both the UK and the world, cementing the UK's position as a leader in maritime decarbonisation. Whilst the works will be for the Port of Dover there is a requirement for strategic alignment with both the Port Boulogne Calais and the Port of Dunkerque. There are currently three ferry companies operating from the Port of Dover of which DFDS have made a public commitment to electrify their channel fleet by 2035, starting with 2 fully electric ferries joining the route as early as 2030. Due to the complexity, scale and capital requirements of these power demands the Port of Dover sees significant benefits in developing a strategic partnership approach. This approach would be a partnership with the Ferry operators and an appropriate 3rd party provider to deliver this step change in power for shore side ferry charging under a long-term power purchase agreement with appropriate commercial terms between parties. The intent is that the strategic funding partner will develop the following; - A new internal High Voltage (HV) network within the Port, dedicated to ferry charging, to facilitate an estimated 160MW inline with the requirements of the Ferry Operators (with on-site BESS and/or harmonisation of the ferry schedule this could reduce). - The necessary transformers, switch gear, on site BESS and cable infrastructure to allow the port to manage the power demand profile and locate power on multiple berths at the port. - Partner with a suitable supplier of the "plug" solution to allow the vessels to re-charge or connect to shore power when in berth, including power conversion equipment. Expressions of interest must be via our In-Tend Procurement Platform - available for enrolment here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portofdover/aspx/Home

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0569db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044622-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

31321300 - High-voltage cable

45232220 - Substation construction work

45310000 - Electrical installation work

45315100 - Electrical engineering installation works

45315300 - Electricity supply installations

45315400 - High voltage installation work

45317300 - Electrical installation work of electrical distribution apparatus

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Jun 2026 - 1 Jan 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DOVER HARBOUR BOARD
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
supplier.support@portofdover.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DOVER
Postcode
CT17 9BU
Post Town
Canterbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Dover
Electoral Ward
Town & Castle
Westminster Constituency
Dover and Deal

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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