Port of Dover

Multi-Chamber Drive-In Racking Solution

Port of Dover needed a solution which would allow them to offload and store fruit products from incoming cargo ships, to be held prior to dispatch. The fit-out of this new warehouse facility is part of the wider, Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR). Within this new build facility there was a mandate to achieve as high a capacity as possible, and a drive-in racking system fulfils this exact goal by making full use of the warehouse cube.

In a drive-in pallet racking system, the pallets are stored on top of cantilevered rails and configured on a (LIFO) last-in-first-out basis, which makes the loading and retrieval of pallets much simpler, whilst also minimising the risk of damaged goods.

The system that SEC Storage installed features bull nose lead-ins and guide rails for use with a single deep, articulated forklift truck setup. Also, given the goods that they are set to store, e.g. fruit-based products, specifically bananas, the racks are also galvanised to make them more durable to lower temperature environments.

The other reason for the choice of a drive-in racking system was the need to maximise space, due to the high turnover of cargo that is moving through the facility at any given time. Overall, SEC Storage was delighted to be involved in the fit-out of this facility and the wider Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR); a development that will play a massive part in the UK’s shipping and logistics infrastructure for years to come.

SEC Storage is delighted to announce that it has been selected as a finalist for the Supply Chain Excellence Awards for their racking solution within the new, 103,656 ft² refrigerated cargo terminal, which forms part of the Dover Western Docks Revival development for their customer, the Port of Dover.

The Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area. With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

• Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre
• Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic
• A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle
• Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people