About Us

The George Hammond Marine Ltd of today started in 1767 as a shipping agency. The company provided services to vessels using the English Channel and the ports of Kent. 

In the early part of the 20th century the company focused its activities on Lloyd’s Agency salvage work. This was primarily in the Dover Straits and on vessels that had foundered on the Goodwin Sands.

Dover then grew in popularity as port of call for trans-Atlantic cruise liners and general cargo ships. In answer to this, the company added new services to its portfolio. These included passenger handling, cruise ship agency, road transport, storage, customs clearance and stevedoring.

Other opportunities arose after the Second World War, including deep sea pilotage and motor launch services at Dover. The stevedoring business also grew steadily, handling new products such as fruit, vegetables, timber and grain.

The company sold its successful stevedoring business to the Port of Dover in December 2016. This coincided with the completion of the redeveloped cargo terminal at the Dover Western Docks.

Our many years of varied experience in the shipping industry continues today. Our ship agency team maintains the highest standard of support to our marine customers.

The Director of George Hammond Marine Ltd also holds the position of Honorary Consul in Kent for Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, The Netherlands and Sweden. This continues the tradition of appointing previous partners of the original George Hammond Company as Honorary Consul to various European States.