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.
Specifically, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps collaborated with the four shipping companies to deliver capacity equivalent to thousands of HGVs per week from 31 October.
The newly-signed contracts will last for six months and are the first to result from the government’s freight capacity framework, with worth of up to £86.6 million. The shipping companies will serve the shipping lines that are assessed as the minimum lines that could face any disruption under the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
The condition to bid for contract was that the shipping lines were already at the government’s freight capacity framework, which is a shortlist of experienced and capable freight operators. Also, the framework will last for four more years to help quickly deliver any future procurement, if any further capacity is necessary.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented
The UK is getting ready to leave the EU on the 31 October and, like any sensible government, we are preparing for all outcomes. Our decisive action means freight operators will be ready and waiting to transport vital medicines into the country from the moment we leave.
Due to the unknown disruption that could follow a no-deal Brexit possibility, Michel Barnier, ECSA and its member the UK Chamber of Shipping sent a letter to the EU’s Chief Negotiator for the exit of the UK from the EU negotiating a settlement for the transition period.
In light of the transition period, over the summer the Department of Transport announced extra funds for the British port in order to help them deal with the Brexit.
