Felixstowe and Harwich to benefit from Brexit freight contracts
Felixstowe and Harwich are two of eight ports expected to benefit from new multi-million pound Government agreements.
The Department for Transport says the Government's secure agreements with four ferry operators worth £77.6 million to ensure vital medical supplies and other critical goods continue to enter the UK regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations.
The contracts announced today (Tuesday 13th October) provide capacity equivalent to over 3,000 HGV's per week, which the Department say will mitigate the risk of disruption as the UK and EU adjust to new border processes at the end of the transition period.
The contracts are with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena and focus on nine routes serving eight ports in areas less likely to experience disruption, including: Felixstowe, Harwich, Hull, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Teesport and Tilbury.
The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: "As the transition period comes to an end, we are putting the necessary measures in place to safeguard the smooth and successful flow of freight.
"Securing these contracts ensures that irrespective of the outcome of the negotiations, lifesaving medical supplies and other critical goods can continue to enter the UK from the moment we leave the EU."
The DofT says the contracts will be in place for up to six months after the end of the transition period.