Port of Dover streamlines with Oracle cloud to boost efficiency
Port of Dover has chosen Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite to unify its finance, human resources, and supply chain processes in pursuit of more efficient operations and improved employee experiences.
The Port of Dover, in continuous operation since 1606, currently handles GBP £144 billion of trade in goods and welcomes over three million freight and tourist vehicles annually. As it moves towards its goal of increasing capacity by 20 percent and building what it calls the most seamless, sustainable, and technology-enabled port in the UK, the management has replaced ageing business systems with Oracle's cloud-based suite to address growing operational complexities.
Operational overhaul
Port of Dover's migration to cloud applications is intended to boost productivity and cost-effectiveness, particularly by consolidating and automating finance, HR, and supply chain systems. The shift also allows access to AI-driven features designed to eliminate manual processes, streamline workflows, and improve data insights.
"We play a critical role in enabling travel and trade between the UK and Europe - which has become increasingly complex with dynamic trade conditions. To better manage this complexity, we needed to eliminate manual processes and embrace automation in the cloud. Oracle Fusion Applications Suite has enabled us to streamline critical business processes and harness embedded AI capabilities to increase productivity, reduce costs, and better support the flow of trade across the UK and beyond," said Chris Hughes, Business Transformation Director, Port of Dover.
Key to the port's digital transformation is the deployment of Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). This application has allowed Port of Dover to reduce reliance on manual operations and accelerate the delivery of financial insights, leading to enhanced efficiency, improved decision-making, and stronger financial controls.
Oracle reports that the implementation has resulted in an 85 percent reduction in purchasing process queries, as well as a 20 percent decrease in the time required for month-end reporting, following the streamlining of finance in Oracle Cloud ERP.
Employee experience and supply chain
The move to Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) has centralised the port's HR operations, consolidating employee information within a single platform. This change is aimed at bolstering staff experiences and generating improved workforce analytics for more informed management decisions.
On the supply chain side, Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) has facilitated the automation of the port's procure-to-pay and supplier management routines. According to Port of Dover, this shift has led to greater operational efficiency, reduced costs and risk, and improved overall profitability.
Addressing trade complexity
"In an era of growing trade complexity and supply chain disruptions, ports cannot afford to be weighed down by time-consuming manual operations. With Oracle Fusion Applications, Port of Dover has standardised on a single integrated suite that enables it to embrace the latest AI innovations to increase productivity, expand insights, and improve workforce management as it facilitates travel and trade on behalf of the UK," said Guy Armstrong, Senior Vice President of Applications, Oracle UK and Ireland.
The port's implementation project involved support from Mastek and Shape Associates, who have aided in delivering the cloud-based solution and adapting Port of Dover's operations to new software and processes.
As the busiest international ferry port in the country and a significant gateway for cross-Channel travel and trade, the Port of Dover is a strategic asset, representing around 33 percent of UK trade in goods with the European Union and accommodating more than 11 million passengers each year. In addition to its role in freight and tourism, the port features a cruise terminal that serves over 20 cruise lines annually and maintains a growing cargo business supported by modern facilities and ongoing waterfront development.
The selection and deployment of Oracle's suite follow the port's wider efforts to adapt to modern trade dynamics, streamline its internal operations, and maintain its role as a central point in UK-European logistics and tourism networks.
