There are some stresses & strains becoming evident in the new Irish Sea border arrangements. Firstly NI hauliers are avoiding Dublin port where they can because NI-GB via Dublin now requires customs processes.
So the boats leaving Belfast & Larne are basically full while Dublin-Holyhead is much quieter. It would help if the TSS could interface with Irish Revenue systems but that’s not possible at the moment.
There are still issues with GB suppliers not being on top of what is now required to ship to NI, particularly SPS, which is leading to delays at various points in the supply chain. This includes NI trailers facing delays to clear Dublin port.
These delays can have a ripple effect: if drivers are over their time then they & their trailers get stuck somewhere they shouldn’t be. Not a massive problem yet but could be.
Groupage (one haulier picking up loads from multiple customers) is still a headmelt. Some significant operators think there still isn’t a workable procedure for doing this for SPS goods going GB-NI.
For hauliers dealing with GB pick ups options are to refuse to lift non-compliant loads or else lift them & hope the issues can be sorted out reasonably quickly at the sea border. Border officials in NI are helping with this but this light touch approach is due to end on Fri.
There is a constant round of calls going on across London, Dublin & Belfast in an attempt to stay on top of this.
The @CommonsNIAC will be hearing about some this tomorrow morning. Sinn Féin have also called for urgent meeting of Stormont’s Agri Ctte this week.
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