UK port representatives have welcomed a £200m (US$250m) government fund launched last Friday to boost the nation's port infrastructure to prepare for the end of the UK’s transition period from the EU at the end of this year, but warned that “time is short”.

Richard Ballantyne Chief Executive of the British Ports Association (BPA) , which represents ports that facilitate 86% of UK trade including all the UK’s main roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) gateways, said the funding was expected to be particularly relevant for ro-ro terminals and operators.

The BPA chief executive added: “The ports industry has welcomed the launch of UK government’s new Port Infrastructure Fund as part of the preparations for life outside the European Union. The scheme will enable ports in England, Scotland and Wales to bid funding for capital projects for infrastructure that will be used to accommodate new customs and border process in 2021.”

“We welcome this fund and the focus on preparing port infrastructure for what will need accommodate a significant change in our trading relationship with the EU. It’s clear that without support there would not be the capacity to deal the new customs and borders requirements. We therefore welcome this scheme which importantly will be open to all port operators across Great Britain.

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