Purpose

This report provides Cabinet with the new Vessel Disposal Policy for consideration and adoption. The policy establishes an updated, legally sound procedure for the arrest, detention, and disposal of vessels with outstanding harbour dues at the Port of Ramsgate. The policy confirms the use of statutory powers available under Sections 44 and 45 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:

1. To adopt the Vessel Disposal Policy presented as Annex 1 to the Cabinet report, with effect from 7 September 2026.

Reasons for the decision

To establish an efficient, legally robust framework for recovering unpaid harbour dues and managing seized vessels. Transitioning to Sections 44 and 45 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 enables the Council to sell distrained vessels at market value rather than at discounted public auction rates. This maximises financial recovery for the Council and reduces the recurrence of abandoned vessels.

Alternative options considered

Cabinet considered maintaining the status quo by continuing to rely on current vessel disposal processes under Section 41 of the Council’s general disposal policy. This option was rejected because existing procedures have proven ineffective, frequently leading to vessels selling significantly below market value and being subsequently re-abandoned, which forces the Council to repeatedly restart debt recovery proceedings.