The UK is due to leave the European Union on 31st October 2019. In preparation for this event, The Department of Transport Tourism and Sport (DTTAS), supported by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), is organising a workshop in Dublin in September 2019. This workshop will allow shipping and port companies, importers and exporters to discuss maritime connectivity, trade patterns and capacity demands in a no-deal Brexit scenario.
The Background
Since the UK decided to leave the EU in 2016, a great deal of work has been done in Ireland to prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit.
DTTAS, supported by IMDO, have engaged extensively with industry to identify concerns relating to the negative effects a no-deal Brexit may have on the maritime transport system.
Since 2016, the views of industry were canvassed in a wide ranging consultation process that included Civic Dialogue Fora, industry workshops, multilateral and bilateral meetings with industry stakeholders, briefing sessions, and an enormous amount of less formal dialogue. The consultation process also involved attendance by Departmental and IMDO officials at many events arranged by industry bodies.
Earlier this year a series of more in-depth meetings, arranged by DTTAS, took place with shipping and port companies to ascertain how the industry would respond to changes in market demand as a result of Brexit, and to canvass the views of shipping industry representatives on State intervention in the market.
In the event of disruption to the UK landbridge in a no-deal Brexit scenario, a concern remains that an industry response to market changes may take some time to put in place.
The Way Forward
To address this concern, a workshop will take place in Dublin to create further opportunities for a dialogue between importers, exporters, ports, and shipping and logistics companies.
The market is served by a wide variety of leading shipping companies, which operate modern fleets and deliver high-quality services in a very competitive market. These services are delivered through high performing ports and are availed of by importers and exporters who operate in competitive conditions. Together these actors can provide a solution to these difficulties and through the workshop, key players can come together to collaborate and resolve the issue of the time lag post-Brexit.
Details of Workshop:
Date: Wednesday 4th September 2019
Time: 1.30 p.m.
Location: Gresham Hotel, 23 O'Connell Street Upper, Dublin, D01 C3W7
This is an invitation only event. For more information please email info@imdo.ie