Logistics Arm of Cross Channel Ferry Group Prepares for No Deal Brexit

UK – EUROPE – Having reflagged six of its cross Channel fleet from the UK to Cyprus earlier this year as part of its Brexit preparations, P&O Ferries has now seen one of its subsidiaries, P&O Ferrymasters, make a less contentious decision regarding trade following the increasing potential of a no deal exit from the European Union.

P&O Ferrymasters is the logistics arm of the group operating a fleet of more than 5,000 trailers and containers in a multimodal trade using integrated road, rail and sea links. To maintain continuity and the fluidity of customs declarations for the import and export of goods to and from the United Kingdom the company has entered into a strategic partnership with SGS Maco.

SGS Maco, an established customs broker headquartered in the Netherlands was established in 1953 and offers a full suite of customs-related services including brokerage, VAT, customs duty, e-commerce and software solutions. Etienne Mulders, Managing Director at SGS Maco, commented:

“Brexit poses a great challenge for UK-EU traders. SGS Maco believes a joint effort by logistics service providers, customs agents and traders is necessary to ensure smooth post-Brexit trade”

SGS Maco will work with P&O Ferrymasters to facilitate its customers making customs declarations at ports in the Netherlands and Belgium and offer fiscal representation services for companies transporting goods throughout the European Union.

The customs declaration services will be organised in the United Kingdom by P&O Ferrymasters and SGS Maco staff, and through a partner in Ireland. Mark Timmermans, P&O Ferrymasters Trailer Director, said:

“This partnership allows us to offer a comprehensive declaration package to clients as part of our door to door transport operation. Our account managers will soon contact our customers to offer this service to them”.