Preparations by European ports for Brexit could run into millions with the port of Calais in France having spent €6mn on upgrading facilities and infrastructure.
The uncertainty surrounding how the UK is set to leave the European Union (EU) – deal or no-deal – has left many questioning how to prepare for the imminent departure - and according Jean-Marc Puissesseau, CEO of Calais seaport, his nerves are shot.
“The uncertainty is very difficult to manage for your nerves,” said Puissesseau
“We have been in constant meetings with the French state, regional authorities, business partners, the customs office and the police. We are fed up,” he added.
The Calais port will play a vital part in negotiations between the UK and EU as 60% of the people and goods that cross between the EU and UK make use of the channel port.
And signs are not pointing in the right direction with Puissesseau confirming truck traffic has gone down by 5 to 6 percent, while passenger traffic has plummeted by 10 percent since the beginning of the year.
Although it is has been a long and arduous process, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is still pushing to meet his October 31 deadline to implement Brexit and confirm the UK’s divorce from the EU.
