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Reuters
4 ferry corporations have landed authorities contracts value a complete of £77.6m to supply post-Brexit freight capability.
Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O Ferries and Stena Line may have the job of making certain medical provides and different very important items proceed to get to the UK.
The federal government says it desires a clean move of freight “regardless of the final result of negotiations with the EU”,
The contracts might be in place for as much as six months after the Brexit transition interval ends on 31 December.
The extra capability might be on quieter ferry routes between mainland Europe and UK ports in Felixstowe, Harwich, Hull, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Teesport and Tilbury.
Final yr, the federal government paid ferry firms £87m for related contracts, which weren’t wanted ultimately as a result of Brexit was postponed.
One in all final yr’s contracts, value £13.8m, was paid to Seaborne Freight, an organization which had by no means run a ferry service. Seaborne Freight lately went bust.
The transport secretary on the time, Chris Grayling, confronted calls to resign over the Seaborne debacle.
His successor, Grant Shapps, stated: “Because the transition interval involves an finish, we’re placing the mandatory measures in place to safeguard the sleek and profitable move of freight.
“Securing these contracts ensures that regardless of the end result of the negotiations, life-saving medical provides and different important items can proceed to enter the UK from the second we depart the EU.”