E.U. threat to restrict access to U.K. tankers and trucks after Brexit transition period

The transport and logistics industry has described claims by the E.U. Commission that it will restrict access to British tankers and trucks at the end of the post-Brexit transition period as “ridiculous” and would leave the E.U. “shooting itself in the foot”.

The Commission said the U.K.’s request for continued cabotage rights after the December 31 deadline was “fundamentally unbalanced” and would give rights to U.K. hauliers that are “extremely close to single market membership”, which it was not prepared to allow.

However, Europa MD Andrew Baxter said a situation where U.K. trucks weren’t allowed full access to the E.U. was “pretty ridiculous” considering the U.K./E.U. transport market is dominated by continental-based trucks.

Baxter said: “Over 90% of channel crossings aren’t on U.K. – based trucks. A huge proportion of the market is based on east European trucks because the salaries of the drivers are dramatically less than those of U.K. drivers.

“So for the E.U. to say they can’t allow U.K. trucks to operate in the E.U., or they’re worried about cabotage, would be ludicrous. The threat to U.K. hauliers of E.U. drivers doing cabotage in the U.K. is a much more serious issue. I would find it unbelievable if the issue weren’t solved. It will be, because it would be ridiculous for it not to be.”

For more information visit ec.europa.eu

24th August 2020