The plan is being considered as a contingency measure, but the transport authorities remain optimistic a sensible trade agreement with the EU, UK’s largest source of food imports, would be made. According to Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, cited by the Independent, the UK government is making extraordinary plans to stockpile food in case the negotiations fail.
“It is not clear how government chartering ships would really help. I don’t see how government itself can move goods faster or more efficiently than the private sector, particularly as those goods will still need to go through the same customs procedures in ports – which is where the real problem would be,” UK Chamber of Shipping CEO Bob Sanguinetti said commenting on the reports.
