Freight News, Sea

These things are sent to try us, says ports chief

[ December 14, 2020   //   Chris ]

Chief executive of the British Ports Association Richard Ballantyne says that the industry is working to hard alleviate congestion, although it could take some weeks to resolve. It follows media reports of congestion and delays to imports.

He said: “We are seeing a big increase in traffic which is now cascading across the wider ports industry. However, in general the sector is managing. This is the result of a perfect storm of a global surge in container movements, the traditionally busy pre-Christmas period and some people moving more goods before the end of the UK’s Brexit transition ends. This is putting pressure on the logistics and storage sectors both in the UK abs abroad.”

Ballantyne added that some delays due to goods being diverted on to different services or ports. He explained: “Whilst testing for some this of course demonstrates wider resilience and shows the network is responding to the situation to keep the country supplied.

Tags: British Ports Association; BPA