The temporary suspension of P&O Ferries’ services due to the controversial mass-firing of 800 employees without warning is resulting in serious implications for Great Britain – Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland (ROI) which is already struggling to cope with a host of supply chain issues caused by Brexit, the pandemic, and ongoing manpower shortages.
P&O’s operations currently carries around 15% of all freight in and out of the UK with over 2000 businesses using its services. Since 2020 P&O operated a total of nine major freight routes with 350 departures week, shipping approx. 2.2 million tons of freight.
Many importers, exporters and hauliers are having to adapt to the suspension and find alternative routes to the continent and Ireland. Other operators have presented alternative options available to freight customers from Belfast to Cairnryan, Heysham and Birkenhead, as well as services from Holyhead to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
From the Humber, services from Immingham to Rotterdam and Killingholme to Hook of Holland are in operation, while in Essex sailings from Harwich to Hook of Holland and Rotterdam continue.
We at Westmond Logistics continue to monitor the situation and help provide alternative solutions for our clients supply chain to ensure that little or no disruption is experienced. We can offer alternative routes along with T1/T2 transit documents to allow freight to be moved via other ports such as Dublin and then clear on arrival into Great Britain to help reduce the delay and remove the requirements for payment of Duty and Taxes.
If you need help with you supply chain, check out our services or contact a member of the team today.
