皇冠体育app

Vital medical supplies and other critical goods will continue to be smoothly delivered into the UK whatever the outcome of negotiations with the EU, thanks to multi-million-pound government contracts announced today (13 October 2020).

皇冠体育app government has signed agreements with 4 ferry operators to provide capacity equivalent to over 3,000 HGVs per week, mitigating the risk of disruption as the UK and EU adjust to new border processes at the end of the transition period.

皇冠体育app contracts with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena, collectively worth 拢77.6 million, will focus on 9 routes serving 8 ports in areas less likely to experience disruption. 皇冠体育appse include Felixstowe, Harwich, Hull, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Teesport and Tilbury.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

As the transition period comes to an end, we鈥檙e 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.

皇冠体育app contracts will be in place for up to 6 months after the end of the transition period.

Contracts were awarded through the successful use of the government鈥檚 Freight Capacity Framework, which sees a shortlist of experienced freight operators bid for contracts.

皇冠体育app framework, introduced in 2019, has guaranteed a much faster and more efficient procurement process over its 4-year life. Should the contracts not be required, termination costs would reflect a fraction of the full contract amount.

Routes out of Dover and Folkestone across the Short Strait remain a vital corridor for trade between the UK and mainland Europe. 皇冠体育appse routes have played a key role this year in maintaining the flow of critical goods into the country throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 皇冠体育app government continues to work with key local stakeholders and industry to prepare for the end of the transition period.