P&O repercussions hit freeports

The logistics giant, which owns P&O Ferrymasters, is suffering some of the fallout from the ferry operator’s decision to fire over 800 employees in March with no notice.

Government minister’s have confirmed that DP World’s UK commercial director, Aart Hille Ris Lambers, quit the Solent freeport board amid pressure from local MPs in Portsmouth and Southampton.

Freeport questions

This news follows questions in the Lords from representatives who asked the house what plans were being put in place to withdraw any freeport contracts as a result of the sackings.

Lord Greenhalgh, who is a minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said the government was “working to urgently understand the facts of what happened in this case” and also whether DP World was in breach of any requirements as a UK freeport investor.

DP World operates the freight container terminal at the Port of Southampton, part of Solent freeport. It also owns and runs the London Gateway port, also designated by the British government as a freeport site.

Meanwhile, the UK government has also confirmed that Ernst Schulze, chief executive of DP World UK, is no longer part of the government’s post-Brexit trade advisory group created to support global business opportunities.

DP World has not commented to date on either issue.