A fright for freight as Calais crisis continues

Following a summer of heightened unrest on European borders, the issue at the Calais port has been somewhat deplorable. But how exactly has the migrant crisis affected freight transport and how has the government moved to solve the problem? GreenFleet investigates the situation

On 20 August, the Home Secretary Theresa May and French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve signed a joint declaration reinforcing UK and French co-operation in tackling the ongoing illegal migration in northern France and across Europe.

Border Force put its well-rehearsed and practised contingency plans into operation to ensure security is maintained during this period of disruption to cross-Channel services and as they return to normal. The government has deployed additional Border Force staff and sniffer dogs in northern France as well as bolstering screening checks at Dover for both freight and tourist vehicles. This is on top of already rigorous border controls, which include 100 per cent freight screening at Coquelles and Calais.

Short term security
The government has agreed to additional funding of up to £7 million towards increasing security at the Channel Tunnel railhead at Coquelles, and is providing funding to bolster the security and infrastructure of ports in northern France and Belgium. This includes a £2 million upgrade of detection technology, a £1 million extension of dog searching capacity and an additional £12 million to reinforce security at the juxtaposed border.
    
Additionally, new fencing has been installed in Calais to enhance security at the port and help protect traffic on the road leading to it. A new secure area for freight at Calais port showcases an effort on both government’s part to commit to tackling the roots of this problem by increasing joint intelligence work with the French to target the organised crime gangs behind people smuggling.
    
With regards to freight activity this summer, the government granted an exceptional temporary relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules for drivers delayed due to Operation Stack in Kent, and secured temporary use of Manston Airfield to provide short term additional capacity to help manage freight traffic on its way to the Port of Dover. This is in addition to putting in place new arrangements to prioritise freight vehicles carrying ‘quick to market goods’ across the Channel.

Home Affairs Committee
Following a Home Affairs Committee at the House of Commons on 14 July, Theresa May announced a new secure lorry parking zone at the port. The new area allows 230 trucks to wait in a protected area away from the hordes of migrants.
    
James Hookham, the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) deputy chief, said during the Committee meeting that: “Calais is a vital trade gateway, with £89 billion passing through the port every year. We cannot allow the migrants to put this in jeopardy – already millions of pounds have been lost in delays, damage to vehicles and spoiled cargoes.”
    
However much of the progress of the last few months, including that of the secure lorry parking zone, could yet be undermined by direct action from strikers in Calais. Any further strike action would ultimately create the ideal conditions for migrants to attempt entry into trucks and stow away to Britain. Hookham warned May and Home Office minister James Brokenshire that ‘Calais must become a strike-free zone, to fully protect drivers and their vehicles’.
    
The FTA warning was legitimised by the four days of strikes in June and July by MyFerryLink workers, which contributed to the need for Operation Stack. Disruption of services and lengthy queues for trucks create an ideal opportunity for would-be stowaways in the Calais area.
    
Hookham commented: “The dispute by former MyFerryLink workers has not been fully resolved, and there is a risk that the issue could resurface in the coming weeks. The overall cost of such action is crippling to the truck operators and cargo owners and cannot be allowed to happen again.”
    
In a separate statement to the Home Affairs Committee, Richard Burnett of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said the secure zone alone was insufficient. He recently warned that people might die if the situation was left unchecked at the French port town.
    
Burnett said: “This is not fast enough. We’ve got drivers being threatened with bars and knives. We’ve had an example of a driver being threatened with a gun. We’ve got a problem right now. This is unprecedented and it’s escalating.”

A rise in costs
It was reported last month that British haulage firms have been hit with fines totalling £4 million after migrants were found in the vehicles. The BBC claimed that drivers and their employers have been fined up to £2,000 per migrant if they are searched by officials at channel ports.

This summer has witnessed a 50 per cent increase on fines compared to 2014. Consequently, several haulage companies have terminated conducting business through the Calais altogether as a result of the soaring costs.
    
David Williams, managing director at Rhenus UK, one of Britain’s leading freight forwarders, said: “Having coped with Operation Stack for several weeks now, we’re seeing drivers resigning from this route, due to the stress of queuing for hours and the hassle of getting through the port. In addition, the risk of stowaways and the potential for fines and involvement with the authorities is a huge disincentive for both drivers and hauliers to continue with the Calais option.
    
“The decision by drivers to step away from this route has already seen a number of freight businesses introducing surcharges of between one – two per cent. The rise in costs – due to increased fuel bills, man hours and required rest breaks – is now becoming a very serious issue for the logistics industry.”
    
Williams also warned that other export route options, particularly on the North Sea and western channel, simply do not have enough capacity to cope with demand created by the problems at Calais.
    
He said: “While there has been a fair amount of exaggeration from businesses wanting to make a political point about the Calais situation, things are now getting serious. The Calais crossing is operational, but the exodus of drivers will inevitably force prices up.”

Cargo theft
In its Global Supply Chain Intelligence Report, BSI Supply Chain Solutions put the cost of global cargo theft in 2014 at $23 billion having measured 20 risk factors in 203 countries.
    
In Europe, the lack of secured parking locations means trucks are regularly targeted when drivers take rest breaks on industrial estates and at service stations, There has been an increased usage of ‘jamming’ devices that interrupt GPS systems and impair the ability for security monitoring centres to locate vehicles, as well as an increase in cases of ‘Theft from a Moving Vehicle’ where some gangs have perfected the ability to steal large quantities of products from trucks that can be travelling at 70-80kms an hour.
    
There is evidence of fake ‘police’ stops and, in the last year or so, there has also been a growing number of thefts of vehicles and loads from companies that have contracted with what turn out to be fake or fraudulent companies using online freight exchange portals.
    
It appear that both French and UK government’s are keen to minimise the risk and threat to cargo drivers passing through Calais. However, unless the migrant problem is resolved on the continent, the current crisis facing cargo and freight drivers may be in for more that just a summer road trip of disruption.

Further information
www.fta.co.uk