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More Brexit reaction from the freight industry

[ June 25, 2016   //   ]

We stand firm in our belief that the UK’s supply chain will be deeply affected by the referendum outcome, as it’s always relied on an efficient international logistics network. Jobs, trade and investment are all likely to be impacted…Like every other company, we must now take stock of what’s happened and ensure that processes are in place to lessen the ine vitable impact.

Our number one priority has always been, and remains, our haulier members and customers. Over the coming months, we’ll be doing all we can to support them and ensure that, as much as possible, it remains business as usual.

Pall-Ex Group managing director, Kevin Buchanan

 

A number of issues will need to be addressed to provide legal clarity and the stability that road transport operators need. These issues could include the use of and reintroduction of customs clearance and transit facilitation agreements, cross-border VAT, access to the market, access to the profession, and training standards and recognition. Transport operators may also be adversely affected by additional security issues such as clandestine migration and identity check requirements for passenger transport operators.

International Road Transport Union (IRU) which “urges a rapid resolution of these important issues in order to ensure clarity and facilitate proper business planning for the transport operators we represent.”

 

 

Brexit pains us but does not worry us. The port of Boulogne-Calais will remain the preferred passage point between France and the United-Kingdom and a vital link for London.
Concerning the migrant situation in Calais, the new situation naturally calls for a renegotiation of the Le Touquet Agreement as proposed by Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts de France Region. (A reference to the fact that France may end juxtaposed border controls, which could potentially lead to the Calais migrant ‘jungle’ moving to the UK.)

Chief executive of the Port Boulogne Calais, Jean-Marc Puissesseau

 

Europe remains the UK’s biggest export market, it is also the supplier of a large proportion of our imports, and the estimated £119billion of trade in goods handled via the Port of Dover will very definitely not cease overnight. (The) world changes from time to time… as it has been constantly changing throughout the last 410 years since our organisation has been responsible for this gateway.

Port of Dover chief executive, Tim Waggott

 

The result of the referendum will not affect the activity of the Channel Tunnel Concession…The UK has never been part of the Schengen area, people and goods travelling through the Channel Tunnel will remain subject to current border control procedures.

A reduction in the value of sterling would reduce the amount of the Group’s debt in that currency, would increase costs for maritime competitors and would support British exports, which would compensate for any potential negative effects.

Eurotunnel group chairman and chief executive, Jacques Gounon

 

ParcelHero regularly ships to those countries that are in Europe but not in the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Parcels sent to these countries face customs delays, red tape and tariffs of between 5-9% on average.  We hope that the UK will not find itself with similar customs charges and paperwork. It is our hope that negotiations between the UK Government and Brussels will ensure that the EU will not impose new tariffs on British good shipped into the EU; and that similarly the UK Government will not seek to impose tit-for-tat tariffs in return.

ParcelHero head of consumer research David Jinks

 

Business is hard enough without unnecessary headwinds, and this is what the result has delivered. My primary concern as ever, is making sure we are prepared for the new trading environment this will deliver – we need to ensure our business and our people continue to thrive.

Being part of the EU brought with it a collective power we needed to make international trade deals; Britain will now be a smaller international player, up against the US, EU and China in international negotiations. Even though we are a big economy, we’re not anywhere near close to the 500m population of the EU.

Chief executive of Advanced Supply Chain, Mike Danby

 

Coming out of the union risks new costs, restrictions and bureaucratic requirements being imposed on moving goods in and out of Europe – and that includes transport operations crossing the UK’s only land border with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has enjoyed arrangements with its neighbour for almost 100 years for free movement, commercial, legal and social matters. The UK is Ireland’s largest mutual trading partner and this relationship must be maintained through the Brexit negotiations.

FTA policy and membership manager for Northern Ireland, Seamus Leheny

 

It now falls to the Irish Government to ensure that Ireland maintains the free movement, commercial, legal and social arrangements with Northern Ireland and Great Britain that it has enjoyed since 1922.

General manager of FTA Ireland, Neil McDonnell

 

Many of our members trade across Europe and have enjoyed the benefits of ‘logistics sans frontiers’ for 40 years… My hope now is that as new trade agreements are forged, there is no return to red tape and complex customs regulations that prove burdensome and costly for UKWA members.

Chief executive officer of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association, Peter Ward

 

It is too soon to start speculation on the outcome of two years plus of negotiations regarding trade deals and movement of goods.

British International Freight Association director general, Robert Keen

 

 

Although a trading deal with the EU is likely, there is a lot of ignorance about the benefits the single market brings small businesses. In future, companies will have to generate commercial invoice documentation (in triplicate), face customs inspection and associated delays and, in many cases, pay additional duties and freight forwarding bills.

Chairman of international shipping expert Mail Boxes Etc, Simon Cowie

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