Benefits outweigh downsides of brexit.

No, not the words of some LibDem or Labour MP who has seen the light, unfortunately.  No, these are words from people who actually know what they are talking about.  The people who are at the very sharp pointy end of all this leaving the EU stuff.

The overwhelming focus on the negative impacts of Brexit on UK and EU ports has eclipsed positive outcomes of the ongoing process of Britain’s departure from the European Union.  This was the theme at the UK Ports Conference earlier this year when a number of panellists spoke of the operational benefits and opportunities of Brexit.     

For example, Oxera partner Andrew Meaney praised the development of better working relationships between ports and governments as a direct result of Brexit.  He said that ports within the UK and EU are “in a pretty decent place” and that there's “a lot of reasons to be cheerful”.   Even though the sector is plagued with uncertainty as a result of the departure deal being negotiated, ports now have close working relationships with government that were not there three to four years ago, he said. “That's a positive.”      

Chantal McRoberts, principal consultant at Drewry Maritime Advisors, pointed out that there is spare port capacity in the UK which could be seen as an opportunity for shifting cargo flows from traditional UK import hubs, which would relieve pressure. “If I were certain ports, I would be out there meeting and marketing that opportunity for that risk management option,” she said. “There is some flex in the system. Dover is not the be-all and end-all.”      

UK Major Ports Group chief executive Tim Morris agreed that customers are now re-thinking supply chains which could bring opportunities in volume light, but value rich areas. “It's possible we'll see a future that’s a lot more about value rather than volume growth,” he said.     

Meanwhile, Nick Clarke, global service line director for ports, marine and waterways at Ramboll, said that the key to making the best use of the opportunities presented by Brexit is for ports to be “flexible, prepared and able to deliver”.   He added that master-planning and being ready with consenting will be critical in how well ports adapt to this changing market.

My only comment is, if these people quoted here are living in the real word, what world are politicians living in when they see nothing but obstacles?  Their real problem is, they have probably never actually worked in the the productive side of the economy that creates wealth.  They, in all likely hood, have always been on the side of spending taxpayers money.  It shows.

Adapted from an article on www.portstrategy.com