Maritime UK has issued its general election manifesto on behalf of the UK’s £46.1 billion maritime industries consisting of shipping, ports, services, engineering, science and leisure marine, following the recent Brexit developments.
The UK and EU struck a deal on Brexit, on Thursday morning, October 17, now waiting for the British parliament’s vote, with the UK Chamber of Shipping welcoming the agreement and ensuring that they will continue to trade freely with its European partners.
In light of the upcoming Brexit, the UK Government signed freight capacity deals with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena Line that ensure that important medicines will still be imported to the UK after Brexit whatever the circumstances.
In a letter to the EU’s Chief Negotiator for the exit of the UK from the EU, Michel Barnier, ECSA and its member the UK Chamber of Shipping, strongly urged for a negotiated settlement that includes a transition period. The letter underlines the economic repercussions on both the EU and the UK, in case of a no-deal scenario at this late stage.
With a no-deal Brexit on 31 October looking increasingly possible, Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson has urgently requested ‘detailed assurances’ from the UK government that British maritime professionals will not be significantly affected.
The UK Government announced its plan on establishing Freeports after Brexit, to boost the UK’s growth and ensure towns and cities across the UK benefit from Brexit trade opportunities, as British ports and airports will be invited to bid to become one of up to ten Freeports.
The recent events in the UK, saw UK Chancellor, Sajid Javid, announcing £2.1billion in extra funding to prepare Britain for a no-deal exit on October 31. Following the announcement, Richard Ballantyne, BPA Chief Executive, applauds the decision on the additional resources that will support the preparations.
The British Ports Association welcomed the new Transport Secretary,Grant Shapps MP, to his role and commented on the opportunities that ports offer in boosting the UK Government’s agenda on trade and prosperity. The new Secretary discussed on Brexit, on the free ports project and reappointments at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Transport companies are being called to bid in order to provide extra freight capacity in case of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. The ferry procurement process as the UK was preparing to leave the EU on 29 March, costed taxpayers over £85m.
As Reuters reports, many are the shipping companies leaving Britain’s shipping registry in light of the uncertain feeling of Britain’s departure from the European Union and future commercial relations. The departures could also disrupt any plans the British Government has to secure additional space on ships to help cope with potential trade disruption, under the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
