A no-deal Brexit could be a serious challenge in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, which handles around 40 million tonnes of goods to and from Britain every year, Reuters stated. A no-deal Brexit could result to a crucial traffic jam at the Port of Rotterdam, as it scrambles to create parking for trucks lacking the right paperwork and for inspections of goods arriving from the UK.
The first days after Brexit will for sure bring unrest and insecurity. We have done everything to be as well-prepared as possible, but there will always be problems.
.. Allard Castelein, port Chief Executive commented.
Mainly, the major concern for the port is that truck drivers from Europe will arrive in Rotterdam with goods destined for Britain but without permits for export to a country outside the EU.
In the possibility of not being able to drive to the UK, this will lead to major stoppages on the roads around the port.
According to Reuters port authorities are making attempts to transmit a large farmland area on the south side of the port into a parking space for around 200 trucks, where drivers can arrange permits, then continue their journey within 24 hours.
In addition, another challenge the port faces is the way Britain will deal with goods destined for the EU.
Real talks about how both sides will handle the implications of Brexit were impossible as long as the negotiations between Britain and the EU went on. So how thing will work on the British side is still a black box.
… Castelein continued.
In fear of a no-deal Brexit, the Netherlands is recruiting 300 new customs workers and dozens of veterinary doctors to ensure it has enough inspectors.
For the time being, direct Brexit costs will remain marginal for the port itself.
Finally, the Netherlands, the euro zone’s fifth-largest economy, expects to incur 2.3 billion euros (2.03 billion pounds) in direct costs by 2023 if Britain leaves the EU next month with no transition agreement.
