Port of Rotterdam braces for the consequences of Brexit
Europe’s largest port is recruiting new customs workers and converting farmland into parking spaces for trucks bound for the UK
Rotterdam — A no-deal Brexit could lead to serious problems in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, which handles about 40-million tons of goods to and from Britain every year, port authorities said on Thursday. Britain’s departure from the EU without an agreement on the terms of its separation remains a possibility. That would create major traffic jams at Rotterdam as it scrambles to create parking for trucks lacking the right paperwork and for inspections of goods arriving from the UK. “The first days after Brexit will for sure bring unrest and insecurity”, said port CEO Allard Castelein. “We have done everything to be as well-prepared as possible, but there will always be problems.” The port’s main concern is that truck drivers from all over Europe will arrive in Rotterdam with goods destined for Britain but without permits for export to a country outside the EU. They would not be allowed onto terminal sites, which could lead to major stoppages on the busy roads surrounding the port...
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