Government urged to help clear congestion at ports

Logistics bosses are calling on the Government to help clear congestion at container ports.

A spike in imports due to the Covid-19 pandemic and fears of a no-deal Brexit have led to bottlenecks at UK ports.

The Port of Felixstowe has been suffering congestion for weeks, but the issue has now spread to Southampton’s port.

The problem is being exacerbated by disruption to shipping movements around the world, partly caused by the pandemic.

“Therefore challenges remain. The current situation has arisen in part from imbalances that accumulated over months. Reversing this accumulation is not an overnight task.”

The letter called on the the Government not to be “complacent”, and called for it to provide “sensible flexibilities and easements” around the movement of containers at ports and road haulage.

The Department for Transport said partners across the Government are working closely with the freight industry to resolve challenges in the global container system.

UK Major Ports Group chief executive Tim Morris said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented volatility in global supply chains. The impact is being felt across the world, including here in the UK.

“The situation at the UK’s ports is improving following commitment of extra resources, working closely with customers and ports across the UK taking on more traffic.

“However, we are not complacent. Improvements at UK ports will take time to work through supply chains, they remain very busy and the underlying problem is global.”

A spokesman for DP World, which operates Southampton and London Gateway port in Essex, said: “The confluence of Covid, seasonal trade and Brexit is placing understandable pressure on the UK port network.

“Our teams at London Gateway and Southampton are working tirelessly to manage the additional traffic through our ports while maintaining our high customer service standards.”

Car manufacturer Honda said it has paused production at its Swindon factory due to “transport-related parts delays”.

It hopes to re-start work “as soon as possible”.

The plant will permanently close in July next year with the loss of 3,500 jobs.

Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said companies have been “sounding the alarm for weeks about the problems at ports”.

He said the ongoing Brexit negotiations were “throwing massive uncertainty” into firms’ decision making.

“The Government must take responsibility for having left the country in this position, not keep putting the burden of blame on businesses,” he said.

“Car production halting, Christmas presents possibly going undelivered, and food supplies being thrown out are terrible for businesses across our country.”

Unite national officer Steve Bush said the vehicle manufacturing industry relies on 1,100 lorries delivering parts every day.

He commented: “It cannot function if there is chaos at our ports, as the Honda shutdown illustrates.”

Logistics UK, which represents logistics businesses, said it is “committed to delivering Christmas” despite problems at ports.

“The sector is doing everything it can to overcome the ongoing issues at some of the UK’s ports… and deliver the festive goods the nation needs,” it added.