"Developing the port, providing an important contribution to the regeneration of Dover, growing and adding value to the business, were key objectives for the DHB scheme and will continue to be our focus as we remain as a trustport, " he said.
The Conservative MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, said as an alternative to the privatisation plans the port could be owned by a community trust, made up of local representatives which would lease the port to an operator.