COVID-19 Update: Port of Felixstowe statement

The Port of Felixstowe plays a crucial role supporting vital supply chains and is taking a number of measures to ensure the continuity of service during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The port is fully operational and we will do everything to ensure it remains open throughout the crisis.

It is a rapidly changing situation and we will continue to monitor and respond to evolving guidance from Government and the appropriate health agencies to minimise the risks to, and impacts upon, our employees, customers, tenants and anyone who visits the port in the course of their business.

Measures taken to date to limit the impact of COVID-19 include:

• Established a Coronavirus Steering Group (“CSG”) to oversee and direct the response to the crisis.
  
• All ships are required to submit a Declaration of Health Statement before arrival. Any ship failing to do so will not be allowed to enter the port.
  
• Relaying the latest Government advice through various channels on the best ways to ensure protection through personal hygiene and travel advice.
  
• Increased the intensity of cleaning arrangements including at haulier check-in.
  
• Put in place arrangements to deep clean facilities and plant if it becomes necessary.
  
• Creating a second Operations Centre in a separate building and splitting the control tower operation into two teams to ensure operational resilience.
  
• Implementing new rest-period arrangements for the period of the crisis by gang/team rather than job function to reduce the risk of contamination across key roles, e.g. crane drivers.
  
• Implementing departmental contingency plans to ensure business resilience and continuity.
  
• Introducing home working and rotating teams for support functions as practicable.
  
• Arranging welfare visits/calls to ensure employees receive the support they need
  

There are currently no delays for cargo moving through the port and we will continue to work with our partners and the relevant agencies to ensure the continuity of service.

We have restricted non business critical visits to the port and request that everyone who has to enter our facilities also takes the appropriate measures to minimise the risk of contagion.

As you will appreciate, there remains significant uncertainty as to how the crisis will develop and we will be keeping our own response under constant review to ensure it remains relevant and proportionate to the prevailing circumstances.

Our objective is to continue to service the country by keeping the port open as normal.