Bosses at Whitstable Harbour insist the site is fit for the future despite fears over a lack of commercial activity.

The town landmark has not seen any commercial vessels for a month, sparking concerns from shipping experts over its viability as a working harbour.

Gazette columnist Charles Traill says only three ships have visited in 2015, with Brett Aggregates the only business actively using it.

He said: “They (the council) keep saying it’s a working harbour, but how can it be?
“There hasn’t been anyone using it for a month.

“But that’s what comes from having just one provider – there’s only Bretts doing any commercial activity at all there.”

Despite the concerns, the Pluto freighter is due to make two trips to the harbour next week – the first activity in four weeks.

Harbour master Mike Wier says the site is financially self-sufficient and it will face any changes in shipping activity with confidence.

He said: “Looking firstly at the importation of aggregates, which is one of our traditional commercial activities, the amount of stone imported through Whitstable is actually showing an increase in tonnage over the last five years.

“The number of ships carrying these cargoes has reduced, however.

“The oldest and most traditional commercial activity is support for the fishing and shell fishing industry.

"Whitstable Harbour has been financially self-sufficient for many years now and is fit for the future..." - harbour master Mike Wier

“There are currently more fishing vessels working from the harbour than there has been in the past 12 years, with all berths currently allocated and many fishermen having to double berth their boats to accommodate the increase in boat numbers.”

Mr Wier says the harbour has changed with the times, with profits now reaching new levels.

He added: “Whitstable Harbour, like many other businesses, is not the same today as it was in the past, nor does it rely on the same trades.

“The harbour has embraced new trades like wind farm support, providing much needed extra parking spaces, construction of beach huts, establishment of quayside retail businesses and the opening up and pedestrianisation of large parts of the harbour estate.

“During a busy week the harbour attracts many thousands of visitors, which in turn has fostered new activities and created new employment opportunities and jobs.

“Similarly, through competent management led by the Harbour Board for the past 12 years, the harbour has more than doubled its overall revenues with net annual profits reaching levels never before achieved.

“Furthermore, these results have been achieved during a period of major investment in quay maintenance, infrastructure improvements and acquisition of new equipment.

“Whitstable Harbour has been financially self-sufficient for many years now and is fit for the future. The changes in trade and shipping activity, which will inevitably occur, can be faced with confidence.”