Brexit warning from Gothenburg

Sweden’s biggest port has warned that Swedish goods bound for the UK after Brexit will not be accepted unless they are ready for clearance through customs before they reach the port. Similarly UK exports to Sweden risk being stuck in the terminal if they have not been pre-cleared

“The exporter must ensure its goods are ready for clearance through customs before they reach the Port of Gothenburg and our terminals, that is the message we are sending out to the market,” said Elvir Dzanic, Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive.

“If an exporter does not have everything in place, they won’t get in to the port. The same principle applies to imports from the UK – goods that are not ready for clearance before they are shipped to Sweden risk getting stuck at our terminals.

“My view is that the major players are well prepared. It is generally the smaller enterprises that do not have the administrative capacity as the large freight owners and freight forwarders. Having said that, I repeat - do not turn up at the Port of Gothenburg without having all your customs documents in order.”

And it is not just companies dealing with the UK who are worried about Brexit. Other companies that use the port are wondering how potential queues at the gates will affect those using the port other than for trade with the UK.

“We don’t believe there will be queues at the terminal gates," said Dzanic. "If there are problems, they will occur earlier in the system - at the main port entry gate for example - where we need to be prepared. As a contingency, we have identified a number of areas in the vicinity of the port where trucks may need to be temporarily parked pending clearance.”

The main pinch point for Gothenburg is the ro-ro terminal, which hosts a number of daily links with the UK.

Source: WorldCargo News

Rotterdam launches Boxinsider track &trace app

Rotterdam port authority has launched a track & trace app for containers moving though its port, dubbed Boxinsider

The app will inform shippers and forwarders about the status of their containers from data coming from both deepsea and inland terminals. The information will feature expected and actual ships’ arrival and departure times and the transfers in and out of the container terminals. Warnings on delays or disruptions are incorporated.

The port authority already has at its disposal the ETA and ETS data of all aships calling Rotterdam from its own digital Pronto programme which also taps into the AIS system. The terminal moves, both at marine and inland terminals are being fed by the terminals that have hooked up.

“It’s an ongoing process in dialogue with cargo interests [in inland terminals],” the spokesman added. “Rolling out the system is mainly driven by shippers and forwarders. They have to indicate their containers’ routing, so we can approach the inland terminals to have them join in.”

The new app is being promoted as the error-free replacement for the mode that most shippers and forwarders still use - manually collecting information from a range of websites. This is time-consuming and error-prone, the port added.

Although a stand-alone application, Boxinsider can also be integrated with existing systems using a link.

Nearly all deepsea and inland terminals in Rotterdam are already co-operating, and coverage of inland terminals in the Netherlands generally, both barge and rail, is wide, a spokesman for the port authority said. Hinterland terminals along the river Rhine in Germany, France and Switzerland are gradually hooking up, too.

Source: WorldCargo News

Brexit opportunities - from truck to ship

The Port of Antwerp has issued a "white paper" encouraging FMCG shippers and forwarders to change their supply chains away from accompanied trucking, which is predominantly via the Dover Straits

Goods entering or leaving Europe via ferry ports will be faced with more red tape and inspections after Brexit, with consequent impacts on costs and transit times, says the port.

In the meantime there is a growing shortage of truck drivers. Together these developments will inevitably entail a shift from traditional (accompanied) freight to unaccompanied container transport by ship.

"To meet the needs of traders wanting to send their consignments by ship, Port of Antwerp is making great efforts to expand its shipping links with the UK. Antwerp already has links with nine British and Irish ports, and these shortsea services will become even more important in future."

With nearly 17 Mt of freight in 2018, the UK is the second largest overseas trading partner for Port of Antwerp. Chemicals, oil products and foodstuffs in particular find their way across the North Sea to and From Antwerp.

"Experience in non-EU trade gives an advantage to the many logistics service providers in the port of Antwerp. Their expertise contributes to smooth handling of customs procedures. And thanks to the extensive storage capacity for all types of freight the port can also act as a buffer for a certain length of time. In so doing the logistics chain remains reliable and customers are not faced with unexpected costs or other unpleasant surprises."

To obtain a copy of the white paper, go here.

Source: WorldCargo News