The Port of Ramsgate welcomed its first car transporter ship this morning.

The shipment of 1,000 cars marks the start of a new port operation by transport and logistics company GEFCO UK Ltd.

The Autopremier arrived in Ramsgate at 5.45am from Zeebrugge, Belgium, using one of the Port’s existing Ro-Ro (roll on roll off) berths.

GEFCO import and distribute 500,000 vehicles annually through UK ports for several major vehicle manufacturers.

Under a licence which has been granted by Port owners, Thanet District Council and GEFCO have started an operation to import and store cars at the Port of Ramsgate prior to onward distribution around the UK.

Ramsgate Harbour has a history of car importation going right back to the 1960s which was continued when the port was built in the early 1980s.

Cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise services Cllr Hunter Stummer-Schmertzing said: “It’s fantastic to see another business operating out of the Port of Ramsgate.

"This new operation uses the Port’s existing infrastructure and a portion of the freight and car lanes, all of which are ready to accommodate this new business, without compromising additional new ferry opportunities.

"This is a great message that the Port of Ramsgate is open and ready to do business and that the industry is recognising the potential opportunities that our facilities have to offer.”

The port has seen little traffic for almost three years after TransEuropa Ferries entered into bankruptcy in April 2013.