P&O Ferrymasters enters partnership to prepare for no-deal Brexit

P&O Ferrymasters has entered into a strategic partnership with SGS Maco to offer customers declaration services to its customers with the aim to maintain easy and fluid trade in the event of a “no-deal” Brexit.

If the UK leave the European Union (EU) without a deal at the end of October, goods may have to be declared to customs and so the aim of the partnership is for SGS Maco to work with P&O to facilitate its customers making customs declarations at ports in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The customs declaration services will be organised in the UK by P&O and SGS Maco staff as well as through a partner in Ireland. SGS Maco will also offer fiscal representation services for companies transporting goods throughout the EU.

Etienne Mulders, managing director at SGS Maco, said: “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.”

P&O Ferrymasters serves 20 strategic locations in 13 countries across the European continent, operating integrated road, rail and sea links via a fleet of more than 5,000 trailers and containers.

Mark Timmermans, 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.”