The logistics industry is warning that the £10.5m of government funding to help the Port of Dover prepare for the rollout of a new EU digital border system this autumn is not enough to prevent border delays.

The £10.5m of funding, announced this week, will support preparations at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel ahead of the EU’s introduction of its Entry/Exit System (EES).

The new digital border system will require travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries to register at the border by having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

The funding aims to reduce queuing and disruption by helping ports install the necessary EES technology and complete work to get their sites ready for the checks coming into force. Each port will receive a £3.5 million funding boost.

At the Port of Dover, this funding will be used to speed up work on the Granville Dock Project, where the existing marina at the Western Docks will be infilled and used as a site for EES processing.

At Eurotunnel and Eurostar, the funding will be used to install kiosks, in addition to those already installed, undertake rigorous testing to reduce the risk of disruption, and support recruitment and training of staff to contribute to smoother EES implementation.

The DfT said that the three ports have been making ”significant progress” in planning for EES are now on track for a ”smooth transition” ahead of implementation later this year.

Announcing the funding, Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said: ”Nobody wants to see excessive queues at our ports, which is why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the upcoming change – despite EES being an EU initiative.

”Since coming into government, we have been reviewing plans and closely supporting ports to make sure they have the right processes in place so that EES registration can be smooth and queue times kept to a minimum.”

However Logistics UK questioned claims that delays will be avoided by this extra funding.

Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK head of trading, said: “Logistics UK has welcomed the announcement of funding to help Channel ports prepare for the upcoming EU digital border system, but is pointing out that passengers using the border crossings still need education and information to try to minimise the impact of these new system requirements and the knock on impact on hauliers and freight. 

“Our members, companies which move the goods which the UK needs every day, are still waiting for clarification on a number of areas concerning the new border processing model which, if not ironed out, could leave goods stranded at the border.

”Logistics operators urgently need the support of government to ensure that the UK’s borders do not become a barrier to the movement of goods.”

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra visited the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel yesterday (27 August) to see the ongoing EES preparations. She said she hoped the preparations at Dover would “minimise” disruption to travellers.

”While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states and ports to ensure we are well prepared, and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.

”This additional funding for ports will ensure they have the right technology and processes in place, so that EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible,” she commented.

The £10.5m of funding forms part of the new government’s plan to prepare for EES, after the Home Office enabled French border officials to operate within an expanded border control zone at the Port of Dover, allowing more space to process passengers.

Emma Ward, Port of Dover chief operations officer, said: ”The funding is a welcome step towards the significant investments we are making to support government plans to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s EES scheme.

”We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system whilst we continue to work with the UK government to deliver more seamless travel between the UK and EU.”

Simon Lejeune, Eurostar chief safety and stations officer, added: ”To ensure our customers continue to enjoy a seamless Eurostar experience as we prepare for the implementation of EES, we have made substantial investments in our station infrastructure.

”With support from the government, we have enhanced our facilities and upgraded our technology to meet the new requirements. Eurostar will be fully prepared and compliant by November, ensuring a smooth transition for all our passengers.

Yann Leriche, Getlink (Eurotunnel) chief executive, said: ”Getlink started working two years ago on the adaptation of its terminal for the new EES regulation – the focus has always been on customer satisfaction, delivering the most competitive crossing time and experience at the border for non-EU travellers.

”This funding will be used to test and add new technology on the UK terminal, that will be deployed during peak periods, providing more kiosks, if needed, in addition to the 106 already installed in the UK, plus the recruitment and training of staff whose focus will be to assist EES passengers.

”The group has invested more than £70m since the beginning of the process, designing and building a new dedicated EES Zone on each terminal, making sure that when the new regulation is introduced people will travel through the Channel Tunnel just as easily as they do today.”

 

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