News / Deadline day for English freeports – bids from 'every major seaport operator'

The proposed Freeport East

The deadline for submission of bids to build and operate seven proposed freeports in England passes today, with as many as 40 bids understood to have been received by the UK Treasury. 

A further three freeports are planned for Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland. 

The government opened the bidding process in the middle of November, which meant a very tight window for ports and local enterprise authorities to form consortia and submit bids – a timeline that has been criticised within the industry. 

Speaking on a Lexology webinar this week, Jonathan Brufel, partner at law firm Gowling, said: “Bidders are ...