Peel Ports has stepped up its fight to claw freight business from its rivals.

Today it appealed for importers and exporters to use its docks at Sheerness on Sheppey instead of getting stuck in traffic on the M2 waiting to board ferries at Dover or on the M20 queuing for the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone.

Richard Goffin, port director at what the company calls London Medway, said: “We must come to terms with the growing levels of congestion that is evidently slowing down our economy.

"Everyone will have seen pictures of lorries queued for many miles. This makes no sense and is a drag on our productivity that the country cannot afford, especially not now."

Last July shipping line DFDS launched an unaccompanied freight-only ferry service for trailers from Sheerness. It was suspended because of "operational difficulties" in January but is expected to resume shortly.

Mr Goffin said: "We’ve become dangerously reliant on Dover and the Channel Tunnel with 75% of the trailer freight market between north-west Europe and Britain passing through this pinch point.

"The solution provided by DFDS is simple, effective and now clearly proven.”

His call came as Westminster’s public accounts committee warned that "increased costs, paperwork and border delays" were already having an impact on UK trade and could get worse.

Peel Ports, one Britain's largest operators running docks at Liverpool, Heysham, the Manchester Ship Canal, Medway (Sheerness/Chatham), Clydeport and Great Yarmouth, said logistics firms should look to "proven alternatives" to dodge delays at other south east ports caused by new customs procedures and the shortage of lorry drivers.

The company claims transporting non-perishable freight unaccompanied is "faster and more cost-effective" than using driver-accompanied hauliers between Europe and the UK and said the DFDS service had grown "three-fold" since it was introduced.

A spokesman for Peel Ports said: "Although the sea-leg is longer, routing via ports such as London Medway is just as efficient as the existing options through the Dover Straits, as road miles are reduced. These journeys also allow for clearance checks to be completed without the pressure of a 90-minute crossing increasing throughput and capacity."

He said the DFDS service had "seen volume increases exceed market expectations" and was a "viable and sustainable option to historical supply chain options".

The dock company says there is "clear evidence of growing demand" for "more reliable and efficient" routes. To meet the increase the port has taken on a further six "tugs" for towing trailers on its site and another three are due soon.

DFDS has been using the ship Maxine on its daily sailings between Sheerness and Calais.

Peel Ports handles approximately 70 million tonnes of cargo a year and employs 2,000 staff. Last year it had pre-tax earnings of £271.9m.