Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the ongoing strike at Felixstowe Port in Southeastern England will cause some delay in the supply chain that could affect trade between the United Kingdom (UK) and the Philippines.
But Pascual said the effect would be “relatively minor and temporary” and that measures are being undertaken to minimize the impact of the port strike on Philippines-UK trade.
In a text message to reporters, Pascual said there are other ports of entry into the UK such as the Southampton Port and London Gateway, which are also main entry points for shipments coming from Asia.
He said Philippine products may also be shipped to the UK via other European ports.
He added since the strike had been anticipated, the Department of Trade and Industry’s post in London reported that some shipments have been re-routed.
Pascual said the effect will be more on delays causing disruptions in supply chains, and will possibly increase operational costs due to the diversion of shipments.
“This adds to the supply chain issues and port congestion that the UK has been facing since its withdrawal from the European Union,” Pascual said.
Felixstowe Port is the largest container port in the UK and handles more than a third of cargoes entering that country including those from Asia.
According to Pascual, the main products that pass through this port include food, electronics, garments, and automotive parts. – Irma Isip
