More Brexit funding needed - BPA

(Posted on 27/09/19)

Following the announcement of the grant awards to certain English ports from the Department for Transport the British Ports Association has suggested further funding might be needed across the ports and logistics sectors in a no deal scenario.

Commenting on the funding the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne said: “We welcome the funding, but note that some English ports have missed out as well as those in other parts of the UK. Also we have asked the Government for funding for UK Border Force infrastructure, facilities and personnel for new customs checks, preferentially away from the border, at a range of port routes and hope this might follow as well as a replacement schemes such as the EU’s TEN-T and fisheries funds.

British ports have been working closely with the UK Government for the last three years on a range of Brexit scenarios. The industry is as ready as it can be for a ‘no deal’ although it is clear that much of the focus recently has been about mitigating disruption at certain ports, not avoiding it.

Ports are of course though only one part, albeit an important component, of the logistics chain. We rely on others – freight forwarders, hauliers, agents, Local Resilience Forums Government agencies – to also be ready for what is an unprecedented level of change potentially coming in with limited notice. Some funding has been made available to these sectors but more could be needed post Brexit, especially for hinterland roads connecting our trading gateways.”

The awards for the Department for Transport’s £10m Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity (PIRC) Fund for English Ports in the run up to 31 October 2019. The PIRC allocates funding to the main EU facing Roll-on Roll-off freight ports such as Dover Immingham and Portsmouth but also to other ports which are investing in resilience.

Grants can be of up to £1m each for infrastructure improvements to help prepare for the potential new processes and possible congestion which could arise in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

The British Ports Association has previously welcomed the funding but suggested that a deal was the best way to avoid potential disruptions at the border.

Latest News

New customs declaration process launched in Belgium

Inbound Release Platform (IRP) has been operating since 1 April 2025. This innovative solution, which... Read more

Kale to develop Oman’s national port communication system

Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale), along with its local partner Novel Muscat, has been awarded the contract... Read more

Estonian-German ports strengthen bilateral relations

Participants at the first German-Estonian Port Days, have demonstrated the impressive way in which bilateral... Read more

Teesport Offshore Gateway - a multi-million pound investment in the River Tees

One of the UK’s major port groups, PD Ports has announced its ambition to develop one of the UK... Read more

Port of Amsterdam achieves CO? reduction target

Port of Amsterdam has achieved its CO? reduction target. The Port of Amsterdam aimed to reduce its corporate... Read more

NSBT celebrates launch of new third berth in Freetown

Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal (NSBT) is celebrating the operational launch of a new third berth... Read more

Greenhouse gas emissions in port of Rotterdam down by 8%

Greenhouse gas emissions at companies in the port decreased by 1.7 Mton (8%) in 2024 compared to 2023... Read more

Raw materials delivered to British Steel through Immingham

Following the UK government’s passing of an emergency law to take control of British Steel, vital... Read more

Rotterdam takes important step in making shipping more sustainable

Trammo, OCI and James Fisher Fendercare have successfully conducted an ammonia bunkering pilot between... Read more

Bulgarian port’s first order for new Konecranes Gottwald MHCs

BMF Port Burgas AD (BMF), one of Bulgaria’s largest port operators, has ordered two Generation... Read more