Thousands of festive travellers and hauliers are facing severe disruption and long queues at the Port of Dover after a major IT failure at the French border threw pre-Christmas cross-Channel travel into chaos.
System Collapse Causes Standstill
The disruption began on the morning of Friday, 20 December 2025, when critical IT systems used for processing travellers and freight on the French side experienced a significant failure. This led to a rapid build-up of stationary vehicles, with images from the port showing extensive lines of traffic at a complete standstill. One frustrated traveller caught in the delays described the scene as "absolute chaos".
Freight Operations Suspended
The knock-on effect of the technical meltdown was swift and severe. At 12:30 on 20 December, P&O Ferries was forced to announce a temporary suspension of all freight check-in operations. The company confirmed the move on its dedicated freight Twitter account, @POFerriesFR8, stating: "Due to system issues at freight check-in, we have temporarily suspended freight check-in operations. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible and will provide further updates when available."
This suspension has compounded the Christmas travel chaos, impacting not only holidaymakers but also vital commercial deliveries scheduled in the final working days before the holiday. Drivers hoping to make an early getaway for the festive period found themselves stuck in lengthy, unmoving queues with little information on when the situation might improve.
Ongoing Efforts and Wider Impact
Authorities and ferry operators are working to resolve the critical IT failure at the French border controls. However, the incident highlights the vulnerability of cross-Channel travel infrastructure to technical faults, especially during peak periods like the Christmas rush. The delays at the Port of Dover, a critical gateway to Europe, are causing significant knock-on effects for travel plans and logistics across the UK and continental Europe.
Passengers are advised to check directly with their ferry operator for the latest information before travelling to the port. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the logistical pressures facing major transport hubs during the festive season and the widespread disruption that can result from a single point of failure in border technology systems.
