Harwich International Port, formerly known as Parkeston Quay, is a significant freight and passenger port on England's east coast.

Harbour Shipping clears significant traffic on routes via Harwich, as we do through most ports around the British coast. Through Harwich we do the following for multiple clients:

• Ferry bookings
• Import Entries including Transit documents.
• Export Entries including Transit documents.
• GVMS and Destin8
• Good Movement References (GMRs) - outbound
• Safety and Security Documents (SSDs)

Freight Traffic and Volumes

Harwich International Port is a major UK hub for roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight, handling over 1.5 million units annually, including trailers, containers, and vehicles. The port features a large dry bulk terminal accommodating various cargoes such as grain, fertilizers, and aggregates. It boasts four Ro-Ro berths with linkspans and over 105 acres of operational land, including parking for over 1,000 trailers. ^1,2

Freight Routes and European Connections

Harwich offers up to 25 weekly Ro-Ro connections to the Netherlands. Stena Line operates twice-daily passenger and freight services to the Hook of Holland, complemented by freight-only services to Rotterdam Europoort. ^1,3

Historically, the port also maintained services to Esbjerg (Denmark), Cuxhaven and Hamburg (Germany), and Gothenburg (Sweden), though these routes have been discontinued. ¹

Freight Documentation and Border Control

For freight passing through Harwich, the following documentation is typically required:

• Certificate of Origin
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Customs Clearance ^1,2

As of January 31, 2024, certification is mandatory when importing medium-risk veterinary and phytosanitary products into the UK. From April 30, 2024, physical inspections of these products commenced at Border Control Posts (BCPs). Harwich's BCP is located on the terminal, operating Monday to Thursday from 6:30 to 22:00, Friday from 6:30 to 21:30, and weekends from 6:30 to 14:30. ⁴

History and Parkeston Quay

Harwich International Port originated as Parkeston Quay, officially opened in 1883 by Charles H. Parkes, Chairman of the Great Eastern Railway Company. The quay was constructed on reclaimed marshland to accommodate increasing trade with continental Europe. Over time, it became one of Britain's most important passenger ports, linking England with Belgium and the Netherlands. ^5,6

Throughout the 20th century, Parkeston Quay played significant roles during both World Wars, serving as a naval base and research station. In 1998, the port was acquired by Hutchison Ports and renamed Harwich International Port, marking a new chapter in its development. ^6,7

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contacts:

For more information about using Harbour Shipping's services via Harwich please contact:

• Customs Clearance (Operations): Telephone  +44 (0) 1304 200926 / Email: [email protected] (24-hour service)
• Ferry Bookings (Michael): Telephone +44 (0) 1304 200935 / Email: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harwich_International_Port
2. https://clearfr8.com/customs-clearance-harwich/
3. https://www.harwich.co.uk/our-service/ro-ro
4. https://stenalinefreight.com/border-control-post/
5. https://worldtravelreview.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-short-history-of-harwich/
6. https://www.harwich.co.uk/about-us/history
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkeston%2C_Essex