Freight News, Logistics, Business

Brexit reaction from Europe’s freight industry

[ June 28, 2016   //   Karen Thuermer ]

[ Courtesy FBJ and editor Chris Lewis.]
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 organization 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
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 neighbor 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

Tags: Brexit