The British Ports Association has announced that Stuart Cresswell, Port Manager at ABP’s Ayr and Troon, has been elected as chairman of the Scottish Ports Group, the industry forum for ports and harbours in Scotland.

The British Ports Association has welcomed the Government’s announcements on new Brexit borders funding to cover infrastructure, systems and staffing.

The British Ports Association (BPA) has tentatively welcomed measures announced in the UK Chancellor’s Summer Statement today, noting the assurances that these are the latest in a series, with more to come.

The British Ports Association has welcomed the targeted relaxation of the quarantine restrictions at the border. The Government is today publishing a list of ‘transit corridors’ with countries deemed as low-risk in terms of coronavirus transmission which will provide much relief to certain port and passenger shipping routes.

The British Ports Association has welcomed news that the UK Government will postpone its plans to introduce full border checks on traffic arriving from the EU for six months from January 2021. This will be done for imports into the UK in three phases until July 2021.

The British Ports Association is concerned that the new quarantine measures announced this afternoon by the Home Secretary will stifle the recovery of international maritime passenger travel. There needs to be a risk-based approach to ‘transit corridors’ and recognition that ferry travel to neighbouring countries could be much safer than other transport options.

The BPA is calling on Government to broaden the scope of testing and ensure that those working to keep the country supplied with imported food, energy and medicines are protected.

Responding to the publication of the Government’s policy paper on its new Emergency Bill the British Ports Association has said that keeping the UK’s global gateways open for trade should be a priority.

Following the publication of the UK’s Government’s approach to the EU trade negotiations, the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne said:

New figures published this week show the Scottish Maritime sector directly supports nearly £10 billion in turnover and 41,000 jobs