Hauliers fear migrant crisis will slow down intra-EU trade

© Khunaspix Dreamstime.

Much of the UK’s mainstream media attention on the Calais congestion crisis has focused on the role played by migrants attempting to walk, or hitch a ride from a passing trains, through the Channel Tunnel (and often confusing or ignoring the role played by protesting French ferry workers). But a much bigger problem is looming with the millions of people fleeing to the rest of Europe from wars in Africa and the Middle East. This article explores the implications that the flow of people across Europe’s borders will have on its haulage industry, and the just-in-time supply chains it supports – both have come to rely on the EU’s open border regime, which looks set to be one of the first casualties if the migrant crisis continues.