Dutch Ports Preps for a Possible No-deal Brexit

All partners including Customs, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Port of Amsterdam Authority, PortBase and the involved municipalities are working hard on preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit on 31 October 2019.

The aim of the coordinated action is to minimize any delays resulting from additional customs formalities at Rotterdam en Vlaardingen ferry terminals, said a press release from the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

So-called traffic circulation plans have been designed for this and parking sites have been designated for any trucks that do not have the necessary paperwork to meet the new customs formalities that come into places as soon as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, it said.
 
As per the release, exporters and importers must make arrangements as to who will register their cargo from or to the UK digitally in PortBase in advance. They can do this themselves or outsource this to intermediaries, such as a forwarder, customs agent or carrier.

"This is compulsory at all ferry terminals and at the majority of the short-sea terminals. This Dutch supply chain solution for Brexit will enable cargo to pass through customs quickly and without unnecessary delay to and from the UK, even after Brexit," it said.

Buffer parking sites will be established again in the coming weeks for trucks that do not have the necessary paperwork. Truck drivers can use these locations to contact their client or transport planner to complete the necessary formalities. These temporary buffer parking sites are marked out on the map below.

In the unlikely event that this extra capacity is insufficient, parties have additional overflow areas in reserve. Moreover, Rijkswaterstaat has discussed traffic control plans with all parties to safeguard efficient traffic flow.

A traffic plan has been formulated for each terminal and surrounding area, including measures to minimize any possible inconvenience resulting from trucks. This traffic plan aims to keep local and regional traffic moving. We will be doing this by guiding freight traffic that does not have the necessary paperwork to designated parking sites and preventing queue formation at the terminals.