---
title: "Dover Harbour Board - Provisional Harbour Towage Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DOVER HARBOUR BOARD"
published: "2026-03-06"
---

# Dover Harbour Board - Provisional Harbour Towage Services

Buyer: DOVER HARBOUR BOARD  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020197-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Sep 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 2 Sep 2027 - 4 Sep 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DOVER HARBOUR BOARD |
| Locality | DOVER |
| Post town | Canterbury |
| Postcode | CT17 9BU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ44 East Kent |
| Local authority | Dover |
| Electoral ward | Town & Castle |
| Westminster constituency | Dover and Deal |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

### Codes

- 63721000 - Port and waterway operation services and associated services
- 63726600 - Ship-operating services
- 63726610 - Ship-launching services

## Release History

- 6 Mar 2026 at 09:23 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020197-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020197-2026
  6th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0663ae.json.