Majority of U.K. ports unprepared for Brexit

Only 16 percent have made “significant or practical” plans, according to the executive search firm Odgers Berndston.
   Only 16 percent of U.K. ports and harbor authorities have made “significant or practical” plans for Brexit, according to the executive search firm Odgers Berndston.
   Odgers Berndston’s Maritime & Shipping Practice polled about 100 port and harbor leaders and found 84 percent were split between doing “only some high-level planning” and nothing at all.
   “The ports industry is keen to seize on any opportunities arising from Brexit, but this is the first real indication of what’s actually happening outside ports like Dover,” said Paul Butterworth, head of the Maritime & Shipping Practice.
   According to Odgers Berndston’s findings, 59 percent of ports and harbor authorities expect a negative or strongly negative impact from Brexit.
   “Despite the lack of preparation, only 25 percent of U.K. port leaders think they are currently in a position to handle Brexit well. A third believe they could cope but ideally with further investment, whilst over 40 percent either don’t know or doubt their ability to handle additional demands,” Odgers Berndston said.
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