CALAIS: The first ferry from Britain bound for Calais after the UK’s exit from the EU customs union docked in the northern French port on Friday, with three dozen vehicles disembarking in a smooth operation, an AFP correspondent said.
The Pride of Kent of P&O Ferries docked in Calais at 9.15am, hours after Britain left the customs union and single market in the final act of Brexit.Under the rules of the so-called “smart border” implemented by French authorities to minimise queues, hauliers send information on their freight in advance with disembarking traffic either waved through or told to stop for further checks.
Of the 36 trucks disembarking from the Pride of Kent, which left from the British port of Dover, three were told to stop for additional checks, the AFP correspondent said. Calais port president Jean-Marc Puissesseau said Thursday that officials were relaxed about the new arrangements after carrying out dry runs and investing €13 million.On average, 60,000 passengers and 12,000 trucks pass through daily.
British looting mentality