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FTA warns of Christmas port congestion
Page 8
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THE FREIGHT TRANSPORT Association says operators will have to work hard to prevent a repeat of last years congestion at the major container ports this Christmas.
Dr Andrew Traill, the FTA's head of rail freight, maritime and air cargo policy, sounded the warning last week at a London conference, Tackling Port and Infrastructure Congestion.
He called for more teamwork and better co-ordination across the supply chain, and cautioned operators against being complacent because of lower volumes this year.
However, Andrew McNab, business developer director for Felixstowe-based Maritime Transport, whose 500 trucks use all the UK's main container ports, points out that congestion and delays have improved considerably over the past 12 months.
"This is a much steadier year," he MARIiimi says. "The downturn in the retail market has had a knock-on effect. Also, ports have come along way in terms of investment and getting things organised from their side,"
The UK's container ports could reach capacity within two years.