British Ports Association News

The British Ports Association said it is calling for clarity following recent speculation that the introduction of physical Brexit border checks on EU food and animal product imports will be delayed again.Sanitary and phytosanitary inspections at specially prepared borders infrastructure are due to be introduced in July, but there is an increasing expectation of some type of delay, said BPA, the trade body representing U.K. ports that facilitate 86% of seaborne trade and most of the ports that have built Border Control Posts.Richard Ballantyne…

Driver-less heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be to ship freight between the UK and continental Europe in the future, according to a new white paper published by the British Ports Association (BPA) and the specialist freight transport consultancy MDS Transmodal.Commercial and environmental pressures will encourage freight operators to look at autonomous trucks and they would transform the way the ro-ro market works in Great Britain."Changes anticipated include significant growth in the market share of ‘driverless accompanied’ RORO traffic – particularly through North Sea and Western English Channel ports," it said.Technical developments…

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…

Maritime industry professionals remain confident about the year ahead despite wider uncertainty, according to new data published by the British Ports Association. Ports themselves are more likely to be worried about the economy over the next 12 months, however.Less than a third (29%) of ports feel confident about the economy in the next year, but 51% of the wider maritime industry feels confident. 83% of ports were planning investments into new business services, property or infrastructure in the next three months.Brexit: The survey reveals that half of ports do not feel that Brexit will affect them (either negatively or positively) in the next year, whilst a third feel it will impact them negatively. This can be attributed to the structure of the industry (i.e.

The British Ports Association has welcomed the announcement by the UK Government that there will be a new grants scheme for infrastructure modification at UK ports should there be a ‘no-deal’ Brexit but has stated a deal was the best way to avoid potential disruption at ports.The UK’s Department for Transport is to introduce its £10 million (about $12.17 million) Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity Fund for English Ports scheme in the run up to the Brexit date of October…

The British Ports Association (BPA) and the Port of Rotterdam have launched a new joint smart ports paper examining port digitalization.The white paper seeks to show how sharing data will help ports work towards digital maturity and grow into smart ports.It outlines a model for digital maturity that shows how ports need to develop and exchange data in order to keep up with the digital developments around them, highlighting that technology plays a key role but is not an objective in and of itself.Joyce Bliek, Director of Digital Business Solutions at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “Our logistics and maritime sectors face a number of economic and ecological challenges.

The UK maritime industry is taking a leading stand in the fight against the illegal use of Dangerously Weighted Heaving Lines (DWHLs) in UK ports and harbors, an issue spanning the shipping and ports sectors, said British Ports Association (BPA).To coincide with the Department for Transport’s important Maritime Safety Week 2019, #maritimesafetyweek, the British Ports Association, British Tugowners Association, Port Skills and Safety, UK Chamber of Shipping, UK Major Ports Group, and UK Marine Pilots Association have issued a joint notice to raise awareness against their use and the consequences.Richard Steele, Chief Executive of Ports Skills and Safety…

Following the publication of the UK Government’s advice on contingency planning for a ‘no deal’ Brexit outcome, the British Ports Association (BPA) has suggested that negotiators have it in their power to agree a deal that would end months of uncertainty regarding the future arrangements at UK and EU borders.Highlighting the merits of the UK Government’s proposal agreed at Chequers and subsequently set out in the Brexit White Paper in July, the BPA is urging both sides to rally and agree. Chief Executive of the BPA, Richard Ballantyne said:“Today’s papers underlines the implications of a ‘no deal’, in terms of trading arrangements at ports.

Welcoming the Department for International Trade’s new Export Strategy the British Ports Association (BPA) has highlighted the role that ports play handling 95% of the UK’s International trade in goods.Commenting on the Strategy the BPA’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne said: “The new Export Strategy outlines how Government and businesses can work together to promote UK products and exports globally, as well as improving supply chains. In terms of goods, the UK is an import driven economy, however, there are real opportunities to increase exports to Europe and beyond. Ports are certainly ready to help facilitate the Government’s…

The British Ports Association has published a sustainable development resolution, which commits to supporting the dual aims of a strong and healthy environment and a thriving economy.The BPA represents 350 ports, terminals and port facilities across the UK. UK Ports handle 95% of the UK’s international trade, keeping goods moving in an efficient manner that underpins the UK’s economy. The industry is also highly productive and employs over 101,000 people.Ports are often hubs of regional economic activity and support a wide range of industries including energy, fishing, automative, aggregates, agriculture and of course the entire maritime sector.Ports take their environmental responsibilities seriously.

The British Ports Association (BPA) will be holding a short targeted seminar on Thursday 29 November to discuss coastal shipping in the UK with ports and operators. In comparison with other transport modes, shipping is an efficient and environmentally sustainable option.Utilising the UK’s hundreds of ports in supporting more coastal shipping has the potential to improve connectivity between regions.Commenting on the importance of coastal shipping (moving freight within the UK by sea) and what will be discussed at the seminar, Sara Walsh, the BPA’s Corporate Services Manager said:“We are aware of the importance of existing coastal shipping routes and possible new markets which would help to sustain trade between regions around the UK.

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.

As the UK Cabinet prepares for an away day’ at Chequers this week, the British Ports Association (BPA) has urged Ministers to agree a proposal that will ensure goods continue to flow uninterrupted between UK and EU ports post-Brexit. Commenting on the Government’s forthcoming revised customs ‘blueprint’ proposals the BPA’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, said: “We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Cabinet discussions and forthcoming Brexit White Paper. The UK’s post-Brexit customs relationship with the EU will dictate how almost half of our trade is handled at the border. For the UK’s Roll-on Roll-off ferry ports, which facilitate the majority of this traffic…

The British Ports Association (BPA) has responded to the Government’s Clean Air Strategy which was published today and includes requirements for all major ports in England to develop air quality plans within the next year. Commenting on the strategy, Mark Simmonds, Policy Manager at the British Ports Association, said: “Ports and shipping are part of the solution, not the problem and it is disappointing that the Government have missed the opportunity to promote shipping as the cleanest way to move freight. “Ports handle 95% of the UK’s trade and moving freight by sea is still by far the most environmentally-friendly way to facilitate global trade – as well as ensuring our economy continues to function and our food and energy supplies are secure.

The British Ports Association has written to the Prime Minister calling for funding guarantees for any new border facilities and digital infrastructure, which may be needed after the UK leaves the European Union. There are concerns from the industry that those ports with EU traffic will need to provide new facilities and digital infrastructure for government officials to carry out customs and other border checks. In the letter, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association said: “There are around 30 Government agencies or organisations which can carry out procedures at ports and we expect there to be both physical and digital infrastructure requirements at the border to accommodate any new arrangements following Brexit.

The British Ports Association has published a new strategic report - ‘A Brexit Dividend’, which calls on the UK Government to deliver on the Prime Minister’s pledge of ‘frictionless’ trade after Brexit. Following Monday's (March 19) agreement between UK and EU negotiators on the terms of a transition deal and ahead of the EU Council meeting later this week, the British Ports Association has published ‘A Brexit Dividend’. Ports are calling for a pragmatic deal with the EU on both customs and regulatory recognition that allows both British and European businesses to get their goods across borders as quickly as possible. ‘A Brexit Dividend’ outlines the potential opportunities for ports.

Newly published research shows that U.K. ports and terminals have an estimated £1.7 billion ($2.36 billion) of port infrastructure investment in the development pipeline. The research is part of the British Ports Association’s ‘Port Futures’ program and was undertaken by infrastructure advisory firm Moffatt & Nichol. It captures significant schemes all over the U.K. and highlights how ports in all parts of the U.K. are investing in new facilities to foster growth in the U.K. market. “Ports are doing their bit but we rely on government to ensure that road and rail connections from the port gate are fit for purpose. The terrestrial and marine planning and consenting process is also cumbersome and costly and often holds back or even prevents some sustainable port development.

The British Ports Association has consistently supported the Government’s ambition for frictionless trade with the EU post-Brexit, said Mark Simmonds, Policy Manager at the British Ports Association. In that regard we welcome the debate prompted by the speech made by the Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, this week supporting a form of customs union with the EU as a step towards avoiding potential disruption at ports. Many of the checks done on goods at the border are non-customs checks and we will continue to make the case for avoiding stoppages at ports, including veterinary and plant health standard inspections in order to avoid disruption to supply chains. This is particularly true at Roll-on Roll-off ferry ports which support many in ‘just-in-time’ logistics chains.

British Ports Association warned that without agreements on cross-border environmental health standards there could be major disruption at UK and EU ports. Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said: “Perhaps one of the biggest Brexit challenges ports could face is accommodating new environmental health standards inspections at the border. As the report highlights, delays resulting from inspections at border would lead to increased costs, creating congestion and particular issues for perishable goods. Under present rules, animal and plant products entering the UK and the EU from a third country can require documentary, identity or physical inspections.

David Davis at Teesport, the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne suggested that cross border trade facilitation was being neglected in the negotiations. “The confirmation of the Government’s priorities for Brexit transitional arrangements provides European focused ports and logistics operators some clarity that in the short term it will be business as usual at the border. Much depends upon the negotiations and agreements of course but longer term, post the transitional period, we are unsure what the arrangements might be when leaving the European Union," Richard  said. The Free Ports concept has been much debated recently.

The Chief Executive of the British Ports Association (BPA), Richard Ballantyne, has outlined the Association’s key priorities for 2018. These include continued interaction and influencing on the Brexit discussions, promotion of planning and freight policy reform, calls for increased transport connectivity investment and the rectification of the ‘definition of a ship’ legal anomaly. Discussions with the various parts of Westminster and the Devolved Governments on Brexit will continue to be a major feature for the ports industry this year. “2018 will be a critical for UK ports as by the end of the year we should know what Brexit will look like.

The British Ports Association has called for a new debate on a free ports policy following a report from trade specialists Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP. “Free ports and free trade areas at ports is an interesting concept which many UK ports are looking at. Brexit could mean that new customs and trade opportunities arise and any proposals which make the UK ports and logistics industry more competitive and improves the flow of goods at ports should be welcomed. Of course, free zone status could be more beneficial for certain ports and it is important to ensure any future proposals properly reflect the diversity of the UK ports industry, whilst balancing competition.

Commenting on the publication of the Government’s Brexit negotiating position paper on customs, the British Ports Association (BPA)’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne today welcomed the focus on continuity but suggested that further reassurances were needed on future customs arrangements at the border. Commenting Ballantyne said: “We welcome the Government’s priorities to ensure a smooth transition in the immediate period after the UK leaves the EU but more focus is needed on the likely impacts such as delays at ports.