Archives
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- April 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
Freight News, Sea, Road, Logistics, COVID-19 Noticeboard
French border reopens but expect delays – updated
[ December 23, 2020 // Chris ]Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover have reopened to accompanied freight after an agreement between the UK and French government to ease the Covid travel ban.
However, drivers must take a Covid test and shows a negative result.
Freight ferry booking agency Motis said that the UK military is organising testing at the Manston Airport holding area using the Lateral Flow technique that gives results within 30 minutes.
The port of Dover said that all freight drivers in Kent requiring a test must head to Manston for a test unless already queueing on the M20, in which case they will be tested in situ.
The UK Department for Transport said the French government would also carry out sample testing on incoming freight.
Ferry operator DFDS said that the French authorities would accept quick tests only for the time being, however. It added that, with about 4000 trucks waiting, it will take days to get them all to France, and it was considering offering additional sailings on 24 December.
Drivers should not travel to the port or Eurotunnel without a valid test result, it added. Moreover, with the huge backlog of trucks unable to cross the Channel since Sunday, heavy delays can be expected.
The Transport Secretary has also temporarily relaxed the drivers’ hours rules during the next few weeks.
Following the announcement policy director at Logistics UK, Elizabeth de Jong, said: “We are relieved to hear the UK/France border will soon be open. It is now vital that testing procedures be stood up fast to ensure drivers can be processed and get home for Christmas safely. The backlog of traffic across the region will take time to clear so hauliers should wait for further news before travelling to Kent.”
Tags: Eurotunnel; Dover; Logistics UK