The BPA has consistently said that a no-deal scenario will cause disruption at some ports and that the best Brexit scenario is a comprehensive deal that supports frictionless trade.

It is critical that in any scenario, the Government prioritises the flow of port traffic so that it remains fluid and does not introduce any additional checks at the frontier. If necessary, any new checks at Ro-Ro ports should be facilitated inland.

Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said: “The scenarios set out in the Operation Yellowhammer document are not surprising for British ports who have been working on a range of scenarios with Government for three years. The industry is as ready as it can be for a ‘no deal’ although it is clear that this is about mitigating disruption at certain ports, not avoiding it.

Ports are of course though only one part, albeit an important component, of the logistics chain. We rely on others – freight forwarders, hauliers, agents, Government agencies – to also be ready for what is an unprecedented level of change potentially coming in with little or no notice. It is clear from the document that this remains a significant concern across the logistics chain.

There remain questions for operators using both accompanied and unaccompanied Roll-on Roll-off routes but the Government has designed a number of mitigating measures which will help importers temporarily, in the short term. Operators will need time to plan for any longer-term solution so some kind of transitional period will be need for any type of Brexit that deviates from present arrangements.

We remain firmly of the view that a deal that supports frictionless, free-flowing frontiers is the best outcome and as far as we are aware this is still the Government’s aim. We still hope that the UK and EU can come to a sensible arrangement and bring this to a close as quickly as possible.”

This comes after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) South Atlantic Division signed the Record of Decision for the Mobile Harbour General Re-evaluation Report (GRR) and Integrated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The proposed harbour improvement project would deepen the existing bar, bay and river channels to 52 feet (15.84m), 50 feet (15.24m) and 50 feet (15.24m), respectively. The project also includes widening the bay channel by 100 feet (328.08m) for three nautical miles to accommodate two-way vessel traffic, expanding the current Post-Panamax sized turning basin and incorporating a minor bend easing in the lower bay channel.

Shoreside, the Alabama State Port Authority and its partner, APM Terminals, have been expanding the terminal to meet year over year growth. A USD50 million expansion finished in late 2017, and the following year, another USD50 million expansion launched.

In a statement, James Lyons, Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Port Authority, said, “With completion of the Phase 3 expansion, the port and its partner, APM Terminals, will have nearly USD500 million in container intermodal assets to serve our customers. As demand dictates, we’re positioned to respond quickly to further expansion.”

The Phase 3 expansion, when completed in February 2020, will extend the dock to allow for the simultaneous berth of two Post-Panamax sized vessels and bring annual throughput capacity to 650,000 TEUs. The dock extension will leverage operational efficiencies generated by newly constructed yard capacity, applied technology, additional outbound gates and two Super Post-Panamax and two Post-Panamax ship to shore container cranes. The deepening and widening of the harbour channel has been a long time coming, with the landmark leadership of Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Governor Kay Ivey’s Rebuild Alabama Act paving the way for the necessary funding.

In June 2014, the Port Authority requested that the Corps initiate the necessary studies to achieve justified improvements to support the seaport’s rapid growth in manufacturing, mining, retail/distribution and agribusiness markets. The resulting Mobile Harbour GRR and SEIS underwent a USD7.8 million, comprehensive four-year study to evaluate the benefits and potential impacts of the project. Throughout the study process, the Port Authority and the USACE jointly conducted public scoping meetings, general public meetings in both open house and town hall formats, numerous meetings with cooperating agencies and extensive focus group meetings with seafood interests, commercial fisherman, environmental non-governmental organisations, Dauphin Island property owners and interests and environmental justice communities. In May 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency released the Draft GRR/SEIS for public comment to be considered in the preparation of the Record of Decision. During the study process, the Port Authority’s container carriers servicing Asia trade lanes added new market options and some have shifted to 7000-8500 TEU class ships. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will next execute a design agreement with the Port Authority to begin the preconstruction, engineering and design phase. Construction on the modifications could begin in late 2020.

The Port of Thessaloniki is the most important port of Northern Greece and a key transportation hub for Southeast Europe as a part of the Core Network of the Trans-European Transport Network. It occupies a total area of approximately 1.5 million square meters and hosts a variety of activities, including servicing of all types of cargo, ferry/passenger shipping, and cruises, as well as the Port of Thessaloniki free zone operating under applicable tax and customs legislation. Following an international privatisation process that was concluded in March 2018, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund entered into a Shares Purchase Agreement with a group of international investors (South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki (SEGT) Limited) for the acquisition of 67% in the share capital of THPA. Pursuant to the terms of the relevant Concession Agreement, THPA is required to implement a minimum of €180M (USD203 million) capital expenditure programme to upgrade the port. The main project relates to the expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6. “The upgrade of the Port of Thessaloniki is an investment of particular significance for the city, but also fostering cross-border synergies in Southeast Europe and promoting regional growth,” said Manolis Sigalas, Hill’s Vice President and Managing Director for Southern Europe. “This award augments our global port projects portfolio and is reflective of our distinct capabilities in the region. We are truly honoured and, together with our partners, we look forward to working hard with all stakeholders involved for the project’s successful delivery,” Sigalas added.