Launch of the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) has been hit by technical problems at the Port of Dover, although feared delays appear not to have to come to fruition.
Coach traffic was among the first to be subject to the new digital border system as it began a phasing in at both Dover and the LeShuttle terminal in Folkestone at 5pm on Sunday 12 October.
However, coach passengers found the self-service machines for scanning fingerprints and taking facial images were switched off as they passed through the new dedicated EES coach building.
The Port of Dover confirmed early afternoon on Monday that technical issues known about in advance meant that no biometric data had been taken by that point.
Nevertheless, despite coaches now having to divert to Western Docks down the newly built EES lane before proceeding to the terminal, operators told routeone their journey was without hold-up.
Speaking in advance of the launch, which took place Europe-wide, Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, had said: “Along with our counterparts who are also implementing EES, there are still some outstanding technology challenges that we are navigating with the French provider and border authorities as we collectively work towards go-live.”
EU regulations state that no biometric data needs to be taken during the first 60 days of the implementation of the system, in which a digital record of entry and exit is made at the border.
In addition, during the six-month gradual introduction, each member state needs to use EES for only a certain percentage of the overall estimated passenger volume.
However, the Port of Dover plans to maximise the volume of coach passenger EES registrations while throughput is relatively low to test the procedure.
At Dover, only coaches are currently being processed for EES. Both freight and coaches are affected at LeShuttle. The system is expected to be rolled out to car passengers next month.
Leger Shearings confirms via Operations Director Chris Plummer that passengers on its first coach to go through the Port were taken straight to the French passport control desks as the self-service machines were switched off. However, he adds the coach then proceeded without delay on to the ferry.
Scott Rattle, Transport and Operations Manager at Passenger Plus, says his coach departed Folkestone without any problems. As was planned, coaches at Eurotunnel are following their previous trajectory through the terminal, and EES is processed by French border officials rather than self-service machines at the established facilities.
Andreas Schorling, Senior Managing Director of FlixBus UK, which took coaches through Dover and Folkestone the day after launch, says: “Our operations team has been well prepared for the new EES process changes, with coaches arriving in advance of crossing, and we have completed all departures on time with no complications for passengers so far.”
Both CPT and RHA added on Monday they had not heard of any delays.
Aside from potential hold-ups at peak periods, the main concern in the coach sector around EES is that the ’90-in-180-day’ limit on stays in the Schengen area by third-country nationals will be strictly enforced.
Given the potential effect on coach drivers working extensively abroad, RHA has called for a visa exemption for British-based international workers.
The trade body for the coach and haulage sectors says HGV and PSV operators risk going out of business as a result of the EU rule.
It put out a fresh call for industry stakeholders to write to their MP to urge them to raise the matter in Parliament.
