PA welcomes trade facilitation focus of Brexit White Paper
(Posted on 19/07/18)
The British Ports Association has welcomed the Government’s Brexit White Paper which outlines the UK’s aims for a future economic relationship with the EU. Included in the White Paper is the much publicised Facilitated Customs Arrangement which essentially enables the continued frictionless trade between the UK and the EU. Commenting on the developments the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne said:
“It is clear that the Government has listened to businesses and ports as the revised Facilitated Customs Arrangement proposal will preserve the present free flowing of trade between the UK and the EU. If agreed, this concept would avoid the need for customs and other frontier checks and would ensure that borders remain fluid. It would therefore address the concerns about queues and congestion at ports. We understand there will be challenges for other parts of the logistics industry to overcome but we welcome the Prime Minister’s aspirations to find a trade friendly Brexit deal.”
The main relevance for ports is that the Facilitated Customs Arrangement proposes a free trade agreement that involves the UK becoming a ‘Combined Customs Territory’ with the EU. This will enable trade between the UK and the EU to be free from customs controls and checks. Mr Ballantyne continued:
“Whilst the Association did not take a position on the referendum or any other political episodes, we have been clear from the day of the result that where possible, retaining the benefits that the Customs Union and the Single Market provide in terms of trade facilitation, should be a key priority.”
Free circulation for goods will be possible, the White Paper suggests, by the UK aligning its customs rules with the EU’s and by adopting a Common Rule Book for goods. This will mean the UK and the EU will have a system of mutual recognition of standards. Significantly this will cover agri-food standards exempting the need for a port health inspection regime at the border as well.
Ballantyne added: “We are pleased to see that the new proposals mean no new physical or IT infrastructure requirements for those ports with EU traffic. A lot will depend upon the EU’s reaction of course but it’s important to note that the proposal will also solve the post Brexit border challenges which would arise at European ports with links to the UK.”
Latest News
New customs declaration process launched in Belgium
(Posted on 07/05/25)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
(Posted on 07/05/25)Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale), along with its local partner Novel Muscat, has been awarded the contract... Read more
Estonian-German ports strengthen bilateral relations
(Posted on 01/05/25)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
(Posted on 29/04/25)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
(Posted on 28/04/25)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
(Posted on 22/04/25)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%
(Posted on 17/04/25)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
(Posted on 15/04/25)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
(Posted on 15/04/25)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
(Posted on 03/04/25)BMF Port Burgas AD (BMF), one of Bulgaria’s largest port operators, has ordered two Generation... Read more
