As the reality of Brexit looms, the bumps in the road are becoming more and more evident. Recently, it became clear that there is no room for dedicated lanes for trucks transporting perishable goods at Dutch ferry terminals.
On the British side, no approval has yet been given for a specially developed customs clearance concept. This concept is a digital system for the pre-approval of perishable goods. There are also concerns that many companies will not have prepared themselves adequately. These companies might hinder a smooth thoroughfare.
Clearance
The customs clearance concept would allow customs controls to be done on goods before the trucks arrive at port. In this system, information such as the product's point of origin is uploaded to a database. Approved vehicles would then receive preference and are assigned to a dedicated lane. This means they can skip the customs queues.
This technology has, however, not yet been approved by the powers that be in the United Kingdom. According to Gert Mulder from the Dutch GroentenFruit Huis, the British government has, up to now, been reluctant to agree to this new system. "We need the Brits to make decisions. We can only have bilateral discussions after the Brexit negotiations have been completed", he told the British news agency, the BBC.
Lack of space
Meanwhile, on the Dutch side, it has become clear that there is no space for the required dedicated driving lanes for trucks containing perishable goods. This is according to Elmer de Bruijn. He is taking part in a Brexit working group on behalf of the Dutch Transport and Logisitcs Association, TLN.
This working group is looking into a traffic management plan for around the ferry terminals. This plan must be ready by 25 March. This date is just before Brexit is set to be completed. GroentenFruit Huis has contacted this working group. They want to discuss the traffic management plan in closer detail with them. They then want to come up with solutions.
The Westland and Hoek van Holland Municipalities in the Netherlands are currently looking for space for shunting yards. It is hoped this will prevent traffic jams and waiting times for trucks. "We are in talks with the surrounding city councils. These include cities such as Rotterdam and Midden-Delfland as well as Drechtsteden. We have agreed to all work together on a traffic circulation plan", a spokesperson for the Westland Municipality announced. "Rotterdam has taken the lead in this and is currently coming up with a plan."
Preference
"Hopefully there are other options that will give preference to trucks transporting fresh produce", is Marcel van Bruggen of ABC Logistics' reaction. "For us as a company, turnaround time is, of course, critically important. For companies transporting general cargo, this is less so." This Dutch company is preparing itself as best it can for Brexit. A lot of exports happen via the ferry terminal at Hoek van Holland. Here, ABC Logistics mainly uses the Stena Line.
Marcel says, "It has come to my attention that ferry and harbor companies, inspection and customs authorities, logistical service providers, and so on, are very much on the same page. They all have the intention of preventing as much congestion at the border crossings as possible. This is also the case with the various departments in the UK."
ABC Logistics is trying to 'be the best in class'. We are preparing for the worst case scenario. However, other service providers may not be doing this. If their documents, for example, are not in order, we will still suffer the consequences." Marcel mentions the extension of the Hoekse Baan in the direction of Hoek van Holland as an additional problem. These roadworks have decreased the road capacity for trucks.
Flexibility
Another Dutch company, the Daily Logistics Group ships 300 trailers per day to the United Kingdom in high season. "We use multiple ferry companies, terminals, and departure times for this. This makes us more flexible", says DailyFresh Logistics' Pim Leenheer.
"A separate truck lane is, of course, something that would help companies like us who transport fresh fruit and vegetables. However, we know how the ferry sites are laid out. There is very little room for expansion. An extra driving lane needs space. Space that is not there", he explains.
Daily Fresh Logistics is also preparing itself well for Brexit. "We have a Brexit working group within the company. Here, we are in discussions about Brexit with all the stakeholders. These stakeholders include the ferry companies and governmental institutions. They have been preparing for Brexit for some time now. They will also benefit from as smooth a transition as possible", he says.
"It is up to the ferry companies and government agencies to find a solution for the congestion. Maybe this could be by means of fixed times slots for certain types of cargo. Here, fresh produce could be checked in last", Pim suggests. "We will continue using multiple ferry connections even after Brexit. In this way, we hope to avoid delays as much as possible."
ABC Logistics and DailyFresh Logistics' concerns about unprepared transport companies is certainly merited. According to the Dutch Customs Director, Nanette van Schelven, many businesses have left it too late. Therefore, 72.277 companies that do business with Great Britain have received a letter from the customs authorities. In this, their attention is brought to the consequences of a 'no deal-Brexit'.
Customs is not being 'overwhelmed' by business owners wanting access to the customs systems, says Van Schelven in the Dutch newspaper, Financieel Dagblad. She pointed out that customs officials will not be making any exceptions. "Customs formalities are just that. We do not have a choice in the matter", she says.
For more information
GroentenFruit Huis
Daco Sol
6 Louis Pasteurlaan
2719 EE Zoetermeer
Sol@groentenfruithuis.nl
www.groentenfruithuis.nl
ABC Logistics
Marcel van Bruggen
210 ABC Westland
2685 DC Poeldijk
T: +31 (0) 174 530 751
Marcel.vanBruggen@abclogistics.nl
www.abclogistics.nl
DailyFresh Logistics C.V.
Pim Leenheer
17 Amersgat
3151 ZJ Hoek van Holland
T +31 (0) 884 286 690
sales@dailyfresh-logistics.com
www.dailyfresh-logistics.com