Ahead of the Parliamentary Brexit vote, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, provided his comment. He said that the Parliament will probably not agree on the deal. In that case, the UK government must avoid the disruption as much as possible.
Mr. Ballantyne noted that even if the deal is agreed, it will not be the end. Specifically, the UK and the EU will have to still negotiate basic principles behind their future relationship, where there remains much to be agreed. One of these questions regard if and how goods are checked and handled at the border.
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If the deal tonight falls, BPA encouraged the UK government to reveal its plans for preventing a disorderly withdrawal and the disruption this would bring at key gateways. This is especially important as there will be only weeks to mitigate the worst impacts of a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
Whilst the British Ports Association takes no view on wider political machinations, we would at this stage urge politicians to work together in the interests of the country and be pragmatic in finding a way through this impasse
In the meantime, the Associated British Ports (ABP) announced an additional investment to advance facilities at its Port of Hull. This investment is part of the group’s plan to keep Britain trading with Europe and the rest of the world after Brexit.
Some of the investments include £50 million to improve capacity at its container terminals at ABP’s ports of Hull and Immingham; £65 million to ensure the future of the steel industry on the river Humber; £55 million to enhance the automotive and cruise offering in the Port of Southampton; and other investments throughout 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales.
