FRANCE & CHANNEL PORTS\\\ >> 28


sophisticated operator like


Dachser can do to make the process simpler and quicker, in particular by adopting robotics – IT systems and software that can take much of the pain out of making


Rollinson predicts:


customs entries. “This will


accelerate because it has to. We can’t go back to 1992, with banks of people on typewriters (or even computers).” He adds that the software


intermediaries that Dachser works through are “incredibly well


prepared” for Brexit.


However, the main task is to get good quality data from shippers and importers and that is, inevitably, largely a matter of time. Given the repetitive


nature of much


customs work, once an entry is correct, the same information can be reused. Rollinson recognises that for


companies that have only ever traded in Europe, the end of the year will mark the biggest change they will ever have had to deal with. Indeed, the only comparable change was


at the end of 1992, and that was a simplification rather than an added complication and, moreover, the volume of trade then was nothing like what it is today. He


himself states: “It’s


been an education for us all. Personally, I’ve learned more about customs in the last few months than I have in the previous 20 years.” There are those who that


argue companies will


be stockpiling now ahead of Brexit and that, come 1 January, it will be a quiet time for trade as so many stocks will have been built up. However, people shouldn’t lull themselves into complacency, argues Rollinson. “Yes, something similar did happen ahead of the previous Brexit deadline, and it might give us a bit of breathing space. But it isn’t possible


to stockpile fresh


produce. And even if there was a decline in traffic of, say 10 or even 20%, the amounts of goods moving today are still vast - it would still be a huge amount.”


There has been a rush to find customs brokerage services, Martin Meacock, director


Issue 8 2020 - Freight Business Journal


Shippers scramble to find brokers


of product management at logistics software specialist Descartes, told the Multimodal


Brexit Tactics webinar on 5 November. “We are seeing traders who traditionally used a broker considering doing customs clearances in house but, anecdotally, we are told that smaller traders are struggling to find brokers. But I think we will see expansion in


Containerships links Ireland to Dunkirk


Containerships has added a new call in Dunkirk to its BENI service between Rotterdam, Dublin and


Cork, making it the only service running between the Republic of Ireland and the northern


French port, with a transit time of four days. Rail connections are available between Dunkirk, Paris


Aviation services group and airfreight broker Air Partner says


it is preparing for a


possible influx of requests as the end of the Brexit transition period approaches. While trucks are currently


the mode of choice into Kent via Dover or the Channel Tunnel, from 31 December


they will be subject to additional customs protocols with warnings of queues up to 7,000 vehicles-long. Air Partner expects many


businesses may need to explore alternative transport options and could lead to a surge in air freight demand, despite the higher cost. It adds


that air freight demand may also rise as an indirect result of fewer trucks being available to businesses as they are held in queues at customs, which may have a knock-on effect beyond the UK. High value goods such as


electronics, pharmaceuticals and automotive parts would


29


the customs broker market.” Some of the new capacity


could be supplied by freight forwarders; some might even be in other countries. Companies were also looking to automation in order to reduce the additional workload as much as possible.


and Metz as well door-to-door delivery throughout France. The route is served by a 900teu ship with 204 reefer connections. The weekly service departs


Dunkirk on Thursday, Rotterdam on Saturday and arrives in Dublin on Monday and Cork on Tuesday.


Cross-Channel shippers may take to the air


likely to be the most likely to be airfreighted, but Air Partner says there may even be a distant possibility of some lower value perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetables, needing to be flown due to extended road transport times.


Air Partner’s 30 >>


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