An overwhelming majority of the UK House of Commons has voted against the brexit deal. As a result, relations between the UK and the European Union remain uncertain for the time being.
Vast majority not in agreement
British Prime Minister Theresa May asked parliament prior to the vote to vote in favour of the agreement, saying rejecting the deal would only bring more uncertainty. Yet an overwhelming majority did not agree; 420 MPs voted against, 202 voted in favour.
Alternative plan
The consequences of the vote are still unclear. May must put an alternative plan on the table within three days. Meanwhile, the official date for brexit is getting closer. If there is no agreement by 11pm on 29 March, a hard brexit will follow, with the UK leaving the European Union without agreements on the movement of goods, services and people.
Consequences for transport and logistics
ABN Amro published a report earlier this week detailing the consequences for Dutch businesses in the event of a no dealnodeal, with the bank stating that the transport and logistics sector would be the most vulnerable in this scenario. Transport companies, which now only need two or three documents for exports to the UK, will face a lot of red tape
Moreover, border controls introduced in a no deal will create additional waiting times. An average ferry has 5.5 kilometres of trucks, 300 passenger cars and 1,200 passengers. The queues that can be created are a major risk for carriers of perishable goods and for just-in-time deliveries.
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