Dover is Europe’s biggest port in terms of the number of passengers, according to a new report.

The findings by the EU show that more than 12m passengers passed through the ferry passenger terminal in 2012.

Although this is down 7% on the number who used the port in 2011, it is still over 500,000 more than the next busiest ports, Paloukia Salaminas and Perama in Greece.

Kent MEP Richard Ashworth said: “It reflects some very good and very wise investment made by both the Port and harbour authority but also by the shipping companies over the years to make it an attractive experience for travellers.”

The Dover Strait in the English Channel is also the busiest shipping lane in the world.