Business, Freight News, Logistics

Shippers call for Brexit breathing-space

[ January 2, 2019   //   Chris ]

The European Shippers’ Council has called for a Brexit transitional period until at least December 2020 to allow governments and companies to finalise their preparation. It says that if the present Brexit withdrawal agreement is not passed in the House of Commons in mid-January, a cliff-edge scenario is most likely with producers and traders give to give no guarantees that goods will reach their clients in time.
With the moment when the UK will leave the EU less than 100 days ahead, there is still no clear picture on how to deal with the situation after 29 March, says ESC.
Members of ESC’s General Assembly in late December described the situation as “unacceptable”.
Although many companies have already taken steps to prevent chaos, the preparations made so far can never completely prevent major disturbances to trade. UK warehouses are full and it is now nearly impossible to rent addition space in warehouses for emergency stocks.
ESC wants an orderly move to a transitional period with the EU 27 and the UK meanwhile negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.

Tags: Brexit, ESC, European Shippers Council