Displaying items by tag: IT Systems
Majority of Freight Successfully Accessed Ferry Operator's Ports on 1st Day of Post-Brexit
Following widespread coverage in the media of freight trucks turned away on New Year's Day morning in the Port of Holyhead, Wales, as previously reported on Afloat, the ferry operator Stena Line this afternoon responded with a statement.
Ian Davies, Head of UK Port Authorities, Stena Line said "Currently freight traffic is flowing well through our ports across the UK and Ireland. All government customs and regulatory IT systems are working well with no issues reported.
“At present freight volumes are markedly down on pre-Christmas/Brexit stockpiling levels, so it is too early to draw any conclusions. But we are happy with the way the new procedures are operating and remain cautiously optimistic that, as freight volumes begin to rise again, we will be able to ensure the continued free movement of goods.
“The day has not been without issues for some hauliers, which was expected. The occasional vehicle has being turned away due to not having the correct customs references, but most have returned later with everything in order and been shipped.
“There will be an adjustment period while businesses get used to the new procedures, so for any hauliers that have not completed registrations on the customs systems, we would urge them to obtain the correct references before they arrive at check-in. Otherwise they will not be allowed access into our ports.”
Irish Hauliers Face Delays at Ports in France Despite EU Fast-Track Plan
Border authorities in France have been asked to waive a pre-notification requirement for Irish hauliers exporting food through French ferry ports from Britain. Irish companies say the paperwork will delay deliveries from January 1st.
As The Irish Times reports, transport companies and exporters have raised concerns that an IT system set up by French authorities will not be able to distinguish between British and Irish lorry drivers transporting food consignments through the UK “landbridge”, exposing them to potential delays at French ports.
France developed its own IT system to manage the large volumes of road freight crossing from Britain through French ports before a proposal from Ireland and other EU states was approved by the European Commission to fast-track EU food exports transiting through a non-EU country.
Rather than use the food safety and animal health traceability system known as Traces, the commission agreed with member states most affected by Brexit, including Ireland, to use an alternative IT system for EU goods re-entering the union under the customs transit procedure.
The commission agreed to grant a derogation from the rules last June to avoid the time-consuming requirement of having to submit health certificates for these food consignments or submit multiple health certificates for lorry drivers carrying several different types of food.
However, the French IT system to handle post-Brexit traffic passing through English channel ports cannot be adapted in time for the UK’s departure from the EU taking effect on January 1st.
This will force Irish hauliers to pre-notify the French authorities of food exports and other relevant information on their food consignments on the Traces system under the EU sanitary rules before they transit through the UK or else face the prospect of delays at France’s ports.
To read more click here on food consignments and potential delays.
