Port of Ramsgate's future to be reviewed
Thanet Council will consider disposal options, securing income, and legal risk mitigation
Thanet District Council’s Cabinet will meet on Thursday 18th December to discuss the future direction of the Port of Ramsgate, aiming to address ongoing financial challenges and explore sustainable solutions.
The recommendations focus on mitigating financial risk, securing short-term income, and developing long-term disposal options for the site.
This follows a Cabinet decision in June 2025 not to move forward with the £7.6 million Ramsgate Pathfinder Port Infrastructure project due to insufficient funding.
The proposed measures acknowledge the significant investment required to bring the port’s berths and quayside infrastructure back into operational status—estimated at £17.5 million—and outline steps to address the port’s revenue deficit while reducing financial and regulatory risks to the council.
Proposed actions
- Removing the council’s Open Port Duty
The report recommends beginning the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) process with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in early 2026 to remove the port’s Open Port Duty. This duty obliges the port to remain accessible for shipping and passenger operations, but the lack of income and underinvestment now poses unacceptable legal and financial risks to the council. The HRO process is expected to take approximately four years.
- Exploring asset disposal options
Four disposal options (leasehold or freehold) for the port will be further developed. Cabinet will make a final decision on the preferred route at a future meeting. Disposal is considered crucial to achieving a sustainable solution while minimizing risk.
- Securing interim income solutions
Short-term opportunities to generate income from the port’s underutilized land for the next one to four years are proposed to reduce the port’s budget deficit while longer-term plans are developed.
- Royal Harbour considerations
Cabinet will also deliberate whether to include Royal Harbour in scoping future disposal options. The adjoining harbour, a vital community asset tied to Ramsgate’s maritime heritage, is currently operated alongside the port under the council as Statutory Harbour Authority. Any exploration of future changes at the port would require assessing potential implications for the harbour.
Council leader’s statement
Councillor Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, acknowledged the challenges of restoring the port:
“We understand the deep maritime history tied to Ramsgate, and multiple administrations have shared ambitions to reopen channel crossings. However, the financial commitment required to achieve this is far beyond what a district council can supply.
“These recommendations allow us to protect our council and residents from financial and legal risk while exploring sustainable disposal options. The outdated Open Port Duty presents significant challenges, and addressing it is a necessary step toward long-term viability.”
Councillor Everitt assured residents that while discussions will assess control options for both the port and harbour, selling or leasing the harbour is not supported given its importance to Ramsgate as a community asset.
The report includes an update on Brett Aggregates’ operations at the port.
The company’s temporary licence for two additional acres of land has been extended until June 2026 while discussions continue toward a longer-term lease. Brett Aggregates has also applied for a permit to process aggregate at the site, which will require assessment of dust and noise levels.
For more details and access to the full report, visit thanet.gov.uk.