Suffolk Chamber statement on industrial action at the Port of Felixstowe:

“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce continues to urge both sides to restart meaningful negotiations to avoid industrial action, even at this late stage, not least because this is yet another potential trading headwind facing a business community that already has a great deal with which to contend.

“The Suffolk Chamber members we’ve spoken to certainly seem to have successfully implemented a range of short-term contingency plans to maintain their immediate flow of components and finished goods,  but they are concerned about the consequences of a protracted dispute. In particular, we have gathered intelligence that whilst some freight forwarders are making use of other Ro-Ro ports as an expedient, this is certainly not considered a viable, long-term option.

“We hope for a clear pathway to this dispute being identified as quickly as possible.”