British Ports Association Calls for Clarity on UK Freeport Model

6th September 2021

British Ports Association welcomes guidance issued on Freeports in England, but raises concerns about parity for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. AFLOAT adds of the 8 designated UK Freeports, only one is located on the Irish Sea, the Port of Liverpool (as above). Credit: Peel Ports Group-twitter

In the UK, the HM Revenue and Customs have published guidance for ‘Operating a Freeport customs site’, or ‘free zone’ for the eight winning bids in England, which were designated Freeport status last March.

The British Ports Association (BPA) has been supportive of the concept of Freeports across the UK and believes they can be a force for immense good, so has welcomed the guidance.

However, it said that since the winning English bids were announced before any agreement on Freeports in the devolved administrations, there have been legitimate fears amongst ports that they will be left behind.

Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, BPA Policy Manager and Economic Analyst, said: “It is indeed welcome to see the detail on the operation of a UK Freeport to continue to be carved out and to see the swift progression of the Freeports in England up to their launch in the coming months.

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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