Dive Brief:

Since early December, stockpiling behaviors and preemptive trade shifts, have caused some upheaval in the normal flow of freight between the U.S. and the U.K. Freight forwarders have been declining to transport goods into the U.K. for weeks leading up to the new year for fear that they won't be able to return with a backload or that long lines will delay drivers,Bloomberg reported.

The often relatively slow period between Christmas Day and the New Year led to a quiet first few days, but as trade picks up in the new year, officials expect delays to accrue beginning Monday.

Aidan Flynn, general manager of Freight Transport Association Ireland, warned that supply chains will need to re-engineer their processes, building in more time between order and delivery. Flynn ball-parked the necessary delay at 12 hours, according to the Irish Times.

Before the deal's final approval, the Port of Rotterdam said it expected a 20% to 30% increase in cargo declarations for imports and exports.

The 1,246-page document was published mere days before it went into effect, which means many supply chain professionals are still working out the final implications. But the deal has also triggered some actions that will eventually help solidify and normalize the new conditions for U.K.-EU freight flow.

The UK is building a 1,200-truck capacity "Inland Border Facility" parking lot at the Dover Port to open in July.

Link:

Short-term freight snags expected as Brexit deal goes into force - Supply Chain Dive