UK-EU Deal Boosts Cross Channel Freight

The Port of Dover has welcomed the UK-EU deal announced today, which represents a significant and positive step forward in resetting and strengthening the vital cross-Channel freight and economic relationship. As the UK’s primary gateway for trade with the European Union – handling approximately one third of all UK-EU goods trade – Dover is uniquely placed to see the tangible benefits that reduced border frictions will bring.

“We particularly welcome commitments to simplifying trading and travel arrangements and removing barriers such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on animal and plant products, which we hope to see implemented as quickly as possible,” said a Port spokesperson.

Short Straits

“This deal directly reflects the priorities discussed at our recent Short Straits Summit, where leaders across maritime, logistics, infrastructure, government, and business called for frictionless trade, regulatory cooperation, and a shared commitment to innovation and decarbonisation. An improvement in border processes will not only restore confidence for businesses and investors but also drive economic growth and supply chain resilience, and we are pleased to see these objectives recognised in today’s agreement.

“Looking ahead, we are committed to working with the UK Government, French Government and European Commission to implement this deal effectively and maximise shared prosperity either side of the Channel. Today’s announcement marks a fresh chapter in UK-EU collaboration, and the Port of Dover stands ready to deliver the full potential of this renewed partnership for the benefit of communities, businesses, and economies on both sides of the Channel.”

P&O Dover-Calais route at full strength
Pride of Burgundy arrives at Dover

As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.

Supply Chain Agility

Matt Gregory, Senior Vice President of Voice & Mobility at Infios, told us: “With border checks easing on UK food exports to the EU, local food growers and manufacturers will be celebrating this opportunity for smoother sales with Europe.

“To be able to meet this potential increased demand, supply chain agility will be critical, especially in the food industry. Perishable items such as meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables require strict temperature and humidity control from the moment they leave the farm to the moment they reach the consumer. This need for consistency adds a layer of complexity to logistics.

“Technology will be critical to ensure the global supply chain can adapt to these changes. Tools such as predictive analytics can help anticipate supply issues before they occur, while real-time inventory tracking allows businesses to stay ahead of shortages and avoid overstocking.

supply chain resilience
Matt Gregory, Infios

“Warehouse Management Systems can also provide retailers with a clear view of what’s in stock, where it is and when it needs replenishing, helping prevent both waste and missed sales. When integrated with Transportation Management Systems, delivery routes can be optimized, arrival schedules communicated in advance and order cycles better aligned with consumer demand.

“When factoring in temperature sensitive products, IoT-enabled monitoring systems are invaluable in tracking temperature, humidity and vehicle location in real time. This not only ensures consistent environmental conditions but also provides immediate alerts when deviations occur, allowing teams to respond before products are compromised.”

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English Channel Supply Chain Delays threaten Christmas

As businesses take steps to boost supply ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period, research from Vinturas, a global supply chain interoperable network solution, found that the English channel is the region where the most UK based businesses experienced those delays and lost shipments over the last year.

The research, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, surveyed 400 global business leaders with decision making responsibility for shipping and international logistics and found that over 13% had shipments which were ‘significantly delayed’ over the last year. When speaking to businesses based in the UK, over two fifths (43%) said that they experienced delays in the English Channel, followed by the Suez Canal (40%) and the Panama Canal (33%).

Concerningly, UK based businesses surveyed said that they had also lost an average of 11% of shipments the last year due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, with the English Channel also scoring top for lost shipments as 39% of businesses polled said that losses occurred in the region. This comes as 70% of UK businesses said they were concerned about regulatory problems or compliance violations in their supply chains.

As businesses enter peak shopping period, the research reveals that two fifths (40%) of UK companies said blind spots and inefficiencies in supply chain data have created difficulties predicting demand or inventory levels. What’s more, over one in three (35%) UK business leaders said the stress of managing external supply chain shocks is a key pain point their business faces when it comes to logistics.

Supply chain blindspots harming businesses

However, despite the unpredictability of global shock events causing delays to shipments, UK business leaders also point to internal problems that continue to hamper logistics performance. 98% of business leaders said that blind spots or inefficiencies have had some impact their business in the last year. When asked to evaluate the reasons for supply chain difficulties, 30% said that they had difficulty accessing real-time logistics data from which they could make decisions. A further one in three (33%) said they lacked integration (interoperability) between different parts of their supply chain.

However, despite many business leaders pointing to issues around access to accurate data or the ability to integrate supply chain systems, the research showed that 16% of UK companies still rely on paper-based processes (e.g. manual logs and forms) for their supply chain operations management. To help overcome some of these issues, UK business leaders state that they plan to increase investment in supply chain technology over the next year by an average of 8.2%.

Supply Chain Delays threaten Christmas

Ronald Kleijwegt, CEO, Vinturas commented: “The English Channel is naturally the major artery for UK trade overseas. It is therefore shocking to see it emerge as a hotspot for delays, especially given the scale of the recent problems in other regions like the Red Sea or Panama Canal. While there are several factors at play, it’s clear that regulatory compliance violations continue to be a major concern for businesses that rely on overseas trade. And with the busiest shopping season around the corner, these challenges are likely to be even more pronounced over the coming weeks.

Of course, regulatory problems due to Brexit and other factors have been a long-running saga and though the global supply chain issues we’ve seen over the past year could not be foreseen, businesses cannot operate without being prepared for this kind of volatility in 2025.

When it comes to managing supply chain ecosystems, organizations must set themselves up for success, getting the basics rights and creating resilience to mitigate losses. As we navigate an increasingly complex and volatile world, supply chain interoperability, actionable visibility, security and investment in resilience, are no longer optional but a fundamental part of business operations that cannot be ignored.”

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