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Issue 7 2020 - FBJ Ireland


are delighted to see the launch


of the Trader Support Service today, which should help NI businesses – who face particular challenges – transition to the new trading arrangements, protect continuity of trade and help to


ensure EU Exit is a success for the NI economy. The service will also provide support to GB businesses who trade with, or move goods to and from, NI. As a next step Logistics UK is now calling on the UK government to publish a clear border operating


model for trade between NI and GB, so that the logistics industry can plan for January.” The Trader Support


Service will be delivered by a consortium led by Fujitsu, which was selected following a procurement process.


Rhenus is Brexit-ready


Ireland is an important and ever expanding market, and it is now preparing for Brexit at the end of the year, says managing director at Rhenus Logistics Ireland, Declan Sinnott. He explains: “As a group, we


offer a broad range of services to and from the Irish market including road, air and ocean transport options. This spans a range of


sectors including


automotive, food and drink, med-tech and specialist solutions


for chemical


businesses.” He adds: “With the transition


window for Brexit closing in just a few months on 31 December, we have invested heavily in our customs offering – enabling us to support businesses with a range of customs services, including brokerage, and


documentation.


consultation With


limited time left, now is the time for organisations to ensure they are ready for the December deadline. As part of these preparations, we are


recommending businesses work with a single logistics provider so that all aspects of the supply chain, including customs clearance for UK shipments, remain seamless post-Brexit.” He says that the ongoing


investment in Ireland comes off the back of Rhenus’ acquisition of C+G Logistics earlier this year, which further established its


strong position in the chemical market. C+G Logistics has more than 40 years‘ experience as a chemical storage and transportation specialist handling


raw materials,


ingredients and chemicals. The acquisition has enabled Rhenus to further grow its customer base across Ireland and expand the services Rhenus can offer existing and new customers. Sinnott concludes: “Rhenus absolutely


is committed


to Ireland, as our recent investments demonstrate. Although the past six months have been unprecedented and thrown challenges in everyone’s way, we have worked closely with customers and successfully kept their supply chains moving. We are committed to our clear development strategy, which is focused on delivering services backed up with expert advice and guidance that deliver real value, ultimately enabling our customers to sustain and grow their business.”


Thirty years in business for Trans Europe Express


Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland-based family owned international freight forwarding company Trans Europe Express (TEE) is celebrating 30 years in business in October. The company, which arranges all types of freight, transporting cargo to and from Scandinavia in particular, has been a well- known name in the logistics sector for many years. Owner and founder Vincent


McGovern, said, “Our industry has


changed considerably


in the last 30 years with the advancement


of technology


but what hasn’t changed is the need, as an island, to be able to transport goods in and out easily. “We are facing one of the


most challenging periods in our history with the uncertainty still around Brexit which will happen in two months’ time, and also dealing with a global pandemic.” He continued, “We are


however resilient; we have fine-tuned our business over a


proud 30-year history and we know that we, and those in our industry will effectively deal with what comes our way. “We haven’t been able to


celebrate this milestone as we would have liked to have done, with our customers and our friends. We do however hope, over the course of our anniversary year to be able to mark the occasion in a number of smaller ways. We would like to thank


all our customers, key partners, employees and


///IRELAND


Irish Ferries’ Dublin/Cherbourg route is providing a critical direct link to Europe and the service has continued uninterrupted since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, says freight manager, Derek Tighe. It offers a viable alternative to


the potential disruption to the UK landbridge which may arise in the post-transition period from 1 January, he says. Irish


Ferries made “very


significant investments in the direct route to France in recent years, with the construction of W.B. Yeats, an investment of about €150m, being one of those. There is currently capacity available on this route, but we would urge importers and exporters to secure their slots on the direct route now, as post 31 December 2020 we will of course ensure we maintain space for our existing customers. We are certain that we will have the flexibility to respond to the market demands as any new trends develop, without unhelpful Governmental intervention in a functioning marketplace.” The Irish government did offer a


support scheme for ferries during the Covid crisis, but intervention that will lead to market distortions is neither welcome nor helpful, says Tighe. “We did not take part


in the scheme that designated two of our services “public service obligation” (PSO) routes. Government intervention to help the sector should not be in the specific shape of the recent PSO model which only served to create distortions in the marketplace and is open to legal challenge, as has happened with the UK PSO model,” he explains. Since the crisis, ro ro freight


traffic has recovered to normal levels following the sharp decline during the peak lockdown restrictions in the second quarter of the year. Meanwhile, in preparation


for Brexit, port development work has continued in Dublin throughout the year with the upgrading of the road network within the port and


the construction of various facilities. Tighe adds: “All ports within our route network are being prepared for Brexit related changes.” Irish Ferries is engaging with all


stakeholders ahead of the post- transition period, says Tighe. IT systems are being modified and developed to accept additional customs related data which will be required when shipping on Ireland/UK routes. The charter for the Epsilon has


been extended for an additional year up to November 2021, with options to further extend to ensure seamless continuation of services. But earlier this year the contract to build a new vessel had to be terminated when German shipbuilder FSG went into administration.


three years and is planning for future growth. He said, “We’re all very proud


business associates who have supported our family in TEE over


look forward to many more significant milestones.”


More than three years ago the past 30 years. We


Vincent McGovern, was joined in the business, by his son, Ryan McGovern. Ryan has been learning the trade for the last


in the family of the business that dad and mum, along with their colleagues, have built up over the years. I have really enjoyed learning about the industry and understanding the operational side of the business over the last three years. It is a very precarious time and one which is filled with uncertainties but there are also opportunities. We have been working hard to make sure that we are Brexit-ready to give our customers confidence and to keep freight moving. I look forward to continued growth in the future.”


CONTACT THE BREXIT EXPERTS!


• UK-Ireland-UK Distribution Specialists • Full Range of Customs Clearance Services • European and Global Forwarding Solutions


www.translandgroup.com


info@translandgroup.com Irl: +353 (0)1 8293222 / UK: +44 (0)1543 445656


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