Feature, Freight News, Sea


Successful citrus season for Dover

[ December 22, 2025   //   ]

Port of Dover Cargo says it has had a successful citrus season this year. Working closely with the Reefer Alliance service, operated jointly by Seatrade and Cool Carriers, the Port of Dover handled weekly citrus import shipments between June and October.

In 2025, the South Africa (SAF) service expanded its schedule, extending into October with UK calls for the first time.

Dover Cargo is the only port-based warehouse in the UK to hold the BRCGS certification for Temperature Controlled Storage, and it offers quayside multi-temperature warehouses, allowing it to move  chilled products directly from vessel to storage.

Dover is now preparing to welcome regular Reefer Alliance calls beginning in December for the start of the South African grape season with the first vessel set to arrive in time to help stock shop shelves ahead of Christmas.

Gina Smith, UK commercial director at Seatrade, part of the Reefer Alliance, commented: “The Port of Dover continues to demonstrate exceptional efficiency, reliability and responsiveness throughout the citrus season. Their capability to handle time-sensitive perishable cargo ensures we can deliver consistently high-quality fruit to UK retailers and juice producers. The extension of the SAF service into October this year was a significant milestone, and Dover’s support was instrumental in making it a success.”

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