The Port of Dover experienced the busiest day in its history for ferry traffic on Tuesday.

The port processed 9,662 freight vehicles, just 216 short of its daily record set on December 6, 2006, and 31 per cent more than it expected.

Traffic comparisons with Tuesday, September 9, 2008, show the port’s ferry terminal also processed 42 per cent more cars (7,128), 34 per cent more coaches (197) and 35 per cent more passengers (33,745).

Bob Goldfield, Port of Dover chief executive, paid tribute to all the port community for keeping Europe’s trade and tourism on the move.

“This is an exceptional performance by all concerned," he said.

"Clearly there are busy times for months to come whilst the Channel Tunnel can only operate at a fraction of its capacity.

"The fire in the Channel Tunnel underlines the importance of having a thriving ferry business at the Port of Dover as the movement of trade and tourism between the UK and Continental Europe grows.

"All governments should never lose sight of that fact."

An independent study of the contribution the Port of Dover makes to international trade concluded that the combined value of import and export freight passing through is estimated at between £46 and £55billion.