An agreement is being signed today which is designed to reinforce Dover’s importance as an international port.

The Port of Dover is signing the Straits Agreement with the ports of Calais, Tangier and Algeciras to promote their common interest and to make "a significant contribution to economic and social development on a regional, national and European scale."

Dover port's chief executive Bob Goldfield said: "The privileged situation enjoyed by the two ports of Algeciras and Tangier allows them to act at a maritime bridge between Europe and Africa and as connections between the Mediterranean and Atlantic maritime regions and a link between the continents of America and Asia.

"The similarities and comparisons with Dover and Calais are obvious.

"Dover and Calais are the maritime bridge and priority channel for trade between the UK and mainland Europe as well as a point of departure for trade routes between Northern and Southern Europe."

Negotiated on behalf of Dover by Howard Holt, the port’s head of corporate affairs, the agreement aims to combine the efforts of the four ports to reinforce the position of the Straits of Gibraltar and Dover as "global logistic nodes".

With Dover’s plans for its £420million expansion, the Straits Agreement also opens the way for the four ports to share experience on technical issues relating to the planning and construction of port infrastructures.

Mr Holt also believes that it will boost the four ports’ lobbying strength on issues such as customs procedures and help develop opportunities for new maritime services.