Planning

Dover Harbour Board - Provisional Harbour Towage Services

DOVER HARBOUR BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Mar 2026 at 09:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Dover Harbour Board is currently at the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Provisional Harbour Towage Services." This initiative falls under the services category within the private utility industry, specifically targeting port and waterway operations, ship-operating services, and ship-launching services. Located in Dover, United Kingdom, the procurement involves a preliminary market engagement scheduled to conclude on the 24th of April 2026. This engagement aims to inform long-term harbour towage arrangements and is in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Although the discussions are for information-gathering purposes only, the board plans to initiate procurement proceedings by September 2026, with the provisionally planned contract period set for 3rd September 2027 to 4th September 2031. The initiative anticipates renewal post this contract period with a maximum extension date up to 2035.

This tender represents a significant growth opportunity for businesses specialised in maritime operations and services. Harbour towage operators with experience in delivering 24/7 services and well-versed in negotiating Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) may find themselves well-suited to partner with the Dover Harbour Board during this engagement. The board seeks discussions with a maximum of five operators, which allows for a more focused and potentially beneficial partnership opportunity for the businesses involved. Consequently, companies looking to expand their operations in UK ports and leverage strategic partnerships in maritime services stand to benefit substantially from participating in this engagement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Dover Harbour Board - Provisional Harbour Towage Services

Notice Description

The Dover Harbour Board (DHB) intends to undertake preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to further inform its ongoing review of long-term harbour towage arrangements as identified in Find a tender notice identifier: 2025/S 000-000055 dated 3rd January 2025. This engagement is for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a procurement exercise. DHB will be seeking to hold discussions with a maximum of 5 experienced harbour towage operators under an NDA, to allow DHB to better understand current market capability and typical delivery models for a 24/7 harbour towage service.

Planning Information

The Port of Dover intends to undertake preliminary market engagement under the Utilities procurement regime to inform its ongoing review of long-term harbour towage arrangements. Supplier discussions will be held at the end of April 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020197-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

63721000 - Port and waterway operation services and associated services

63726600 - Ship-operating services

63726610 - Ship-launching services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 20267 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Sep 2027 - 4 Sep 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DOVER HARBOUR BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Dover
Electoral Ward
Town & Castle
Westminster Constituency
Dover and Deal

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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