Irish businesses need to act now to ensure they are operationally fit for the end of the Brexit ‘transition period’ on 31 December 2020. What would a no-deal Brexit mean for the Irish logistics industry? What is apparent is that we should brace ourselves for a rocky start to next year.

Challenges surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic should not stop Irish companies making plans to manage the new import/export regime due to become reality in just one months’ time. That is the advice from Leatrans, the international logistics experts that operates road, air and sea freight transport across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Leatrans is urging businesses to understand the requirements of the BOM document (UK Border Operating Model) as a matter of urgency so that meaningful planning can continue – whether that is something they do internally or through the right logistics partner. To afford the industry extra time to make necessary arrangements, the UK Government has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021, when it is planned that the new border will be fully operational.

Ken Leahy, Managing Director and Project Lead at Leatrans, said: “We know that many Irish and European businesses have understandably had their focus on dealing with the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, businesses need to factor the milestone of the end of the year into their operational planning and keep Brexit firmly on their logistics agendas.”

“Things are clearly going to be moving quickly over the next few months and those that have well-developed, flexible plans and freight models in place will emerge with significant competitive advantage come next year.”