Tag: Brexit

Work started on January 3 to extend a small British port that would be able to be a back-up if the UK leaves the European Union with a no trade deal. The dredging at the port at Ramsgate could assist in mitigating possible congestion.

The British Government is willing to spend more than 100 million pounds for extra ferries to ease cross-Channel congestion in the possibility where the UK fails to ensure a trade deal after Brexit, as stated by Reuters. When the UK leaves Europe, extra ships will be needed to voyage to new routes across the Channel in the fear that the main French terminal of Calais and Britain’s Dover and Folkestone are clogged up by customs checks.

British ferry operator P&O will re-flag to Cyprus two of its UK ships operating on the English Channel route to France, in a bid to preserve the tonnage tax financing arrangements, 'under which the ships should remain flagged in an EU member state'.

Following the UK Prime Minister’s statement confirming that the Parliamentary vote on the Withdrawal Agreement has been delayed, the BPA's Chief Executive noted that many of the UK’s ports with EU trade and the wider logistics industry is becoming anxious.

A no-deal Brexit could lead to up to six months of disruption at certain ports, according to a British minister, who promised to focus on pharmaceuticals as the UK creates contingency plans as the date of Brexit is approaching.

The European Social Partners for the maritime sector, including the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) stressed potential Brexit implications, related to the possible preclusion of seafarers who hold Certificates of Competency (CoCs) issued in the UK under STCW.

UK ports could experience major disruption in case a no-deal Brexit takes place, MPs warned. Specifically, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) believes that UK's preparations for preventing disruption from occurring at UK's major ports are under-developed.

After the draft agreement regarding UK's exit from the EU, Maritime UK welcomed this development. Namely, David Dingle, Chairman of Maritime UK, said that the agreement will not satisfy everyone, but it offers a solution to avoid major disruptions.

The European Commission published the political declaration which describes the future relationship between the European Union and the UK. The declaration describes the rules that will surround maritime transport and trade, among others. UK and EU note that the maritime transport sector should be highlighted by the international legal framework.

Ahead of the final arrangements for Brexit, the British Ports Authority said that it may take some before the industry can see what implications the final deal will have for ports. BPA's Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, noted that currently there is uncertainty regarding the potential future cross-border processes.