Channel 4 will take viewers inside one of the UK’s most critical transport hubs, the Port of Dover, in the series Dover 24/7: Britain’s Busiest Port. The six-episode documentary, produced by ITN Productions, will introduce viewers to people hard at work in Dover, and is being filmed this summer during the busiest and most challenging time of the year.
Simon Lee, Commissioning Executive at Channel 4:
“This is an exciting opportunity to see first-hand the integral, complex and highly skilled workings of this bastion of all ports. I am certain that viewers will be captivated by the challenges the staff face as they ensure this vital transport hub is kept open for business 24 hours a day.”
This new series will take viewers inside some of the key port control centres to meet frontline staff and shine a light on the teamwork, expertise, operational challenges, and crucial minute-by-minute decisions that impact millions around the UK to reveal some of the huge 24/7 operation that keeps the nation’s most important transport hub open for business. From the terminal and port control teams to the Port of Dover Police and the ferry and cruise companies, viewers will get to know the individuals keeping the port moving around the clock.
Caroline Short, Head of UK Factual at ITN Productions:
“We are thrilled to have our crews filming in such a vibrant and exciting location and bring to life the incredible work done by the Port of Dover to keep Britain moving.”
The Port of Dover is Britain’s gateway to Europe and, with the Olympics in Paris following the Euros in Germany, it is set to see the highest number of visitors since 2019. During the summer months, Dover processes upwards of 10,000 freight vehicles and 15,000 passenger vehicles a day, whilst the port is responsible for handling 33% of all trade in goods with the EU, operating 24/7. It is also an award-winning cruise port, welcoming 25 different cruise lines and hundreds of thousands of guests every year. The new Port of Dover marina is one of largest public marinas on the south-coast, with around 400 berths across two sites.
Filming at the Port of Dover took place in August 2024, and the series will air on Channel 4 from Monday June 2nd at 8pm.
Richard Christian, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Port of Dover, said, “Following several years of discussion regarding a potential TV series to showcase the diversity and scale of activity at the Port of Dover to a national audience, we’re incredibly proud to have partnered with ITN Productions. They are a trusted company, both with TV networks and the people whose stories they share, and it was important for us to find a partner that would ensure our fantastic people feel comfortable, whilst we create this series together. Being our busiest time since before the pandemic and one when we are preparing for future challenges and opportunities, it seemed like the perfect time to show the nation the full extent of what we do, and so we are thrilled that Channel 4 has agreed to come and take a look in Britain’s busiest port.”
