Brexit will spark continuous motorway tailbacks should the UK suffer the "nightmare" of leaving the EU without a customs deal, according to the shipping industry chief.

Guy Platten, the CEO of UK Chamber of Shipping, outlined how Britain's ports are "just not geared up" to quit the EU's Customs Union without an alternative agreement in place.

Demanding ministers ensure the maintenance of "frictionless" trade with the bloc and agree an "essential" transitional departure deal, Mr Platten described the nervousness of ferry companies about the result of Brexit negotiations.

He told Sky News how his organisation, which represents 170 members from across the maritime industry, is also calling on the Government to initiate cross-party talks on Brexit in the wake of the General Election result.

Image: Britain's ports could struggle to cope without a customs deal

On Sunday, Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted he is "not 100% sure" he will achieve the departure deal he wants, including a new agreement to replace Britain's membership of the Customs Union.


Mr Platten said: "We just want friction-less trade, whether that's in or outside the Customs Union.

"We'll see as it develops, maybe they'll call it a 'special customs arrangement' or something like that to save face."

He described ferry companies as "really nervous" while "hauliers are starting to wake up to the fact this is going to not be good".

If Britain is left with a "hard border" with the EU, lorries piling up on the M20 motorway in Kent on their way to Dover would be a "continuous" sight as the port does not have the space for a big customs installation, Mr Platten warned.

One year on from Brexit

With 8,000 lorries passing through Dover each day on average - and sometimes as many as 11,000 - only around 500 are from non-EU countries, each taking 20 minutes to pass customs checks, Mr Platten explained.

If all vehicles had to undergo those checks in the absence of an EU customs agreement, the former Merchant Navy officer predicted: "It's going to be pretty much a nightmare."

Mr Platten described a transitional exit deal as "maybe the best we can hope for at the moment" and suggested it is "inevitable" the Government will have to compromise following the General Election result.

Image: David Davis has been urged to work with Labour's Sir Keir Starmer

He said: "You look at the Labour manifesto and you look at the Conservative manifesto, it's not a million miles apart is it? You can put a cigarette paper between it.

"It's such an important event for the country it needs to transcend party politics."

Outside the Customs Union, UK ferry companies could scrap duties on alcohol or cigarettes which might spell a return of the "booze cruise".