A return of physical customs checks at UK ports post-Brexit would be disaster for the shipping business, Guy Platten says.
The chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping has previously voiced some positive thoughts on the UK exit from the EU but is concerned about the end of free goods movements.
"The nightmare scenario is actually having physical customs borders ... it would be absolutely a catastrophe for the ports and for our sector," Platten said, according to Reuters.
“You've suddenly got lorries stacked up, you've got sailings canceled ... the whole supply chain is completely affected."
Platten pointed to the 8,000 EU trucks a day passing through the key ferry port of Dover, against the 500 non-EU vehicles.
"The sailings will still take place, but maybe they won't be able to fit in as many sailings as they could do before ... so that will affect the business of those ferry companies and potentially the viability of routes,” Platten said.
