More direct calls avoiding the UK could reduce the nation to a feeder market

High levels of congestion at major container gateways have led to declining direct port calls by mainline Asia-North Europe vessels, and increased the likelihood that the UK could become a feeder market. 
Over the past few months, the ranks of deepsea vessels omitting direct calls and unloading UK-bound cargo at north-west continental Europe gateways have swelled, leaving UK forwarders scrambling to find ways to retrieve customers’ cargo.
This has led some to lament that the country would be …

Th...

https://theloadstar.com/more-direct-calls-avoiding-the-uk-could-reduce-the-nation-to-a-feeder-market/

Deadline day for English freeports – bids from ‘every major seaport operator’

The deadline for submission of bids to build and operate seven proposed freeports in England passes today, with as many as 40 bids understood to have been received by the UK Treasury. 
A further three freeports are planned for Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland. 
The government opened the bidding process in the middle of November, which meant a very tight window for ports and local enterprise authorities to form consortia and submit bids – a timeline that has been criticised within the...

https://theloadstar.com/deadline-day-for-english-freeports-bids-from-every-major-seaport-operator/

Bidding process to develop British freeports opens, but clashes with Brexit

UK port owners and operators have welcomed the government’s decision to open the competitive bidding process for the development of up to 10 freeports.
However, with the deadline for submission of bids just 12 weeks away, there was also criticism that the government is trying to rush through the process – particularly given that it will coincide with the UK’s formal departure from the EU and the possible supply chain disruption …

The post Bidding process to develop British freeports opens, but...

https://theloadstar.com/bidding-process-to-develop-british-freeports-opens-but-clashes-with-brexit/

RMT welcomes MCA detention and inspection of cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol over crew welfare.

RMT welcomes MCA detention and inspection of cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol over crew welfare. 
SEAFARER Union RMT today welcomed the actions of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in detaining and inspecting six cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol following serious concerns over the welfare of nearly 2,000 crew members who are stranded on these vessels, unable to disembark or return home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The six cruise ships are all registered under Flags of Convenience...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/06/19/rmt-welcomes-mca-detention-and-inspection-of-cruise-ships-in-tilbury-and-bristol-over-crew-welfare/