The European Union is preparing to launch a new automated border IT system in October, sparking concerns about potential travel delays.
Non-EU nationals, including British travelers, will be required to register their biometric information at major Channel crossing points such as Dover's ferry port, London's St Pancras station, and Folkestone's Eurotunnel site.
European Union Readies New Automated Controls
To address the anticipated increase in processing times, significant investments are being made. Dover has plans to process coaches separately from cars and aims to expand its facilities by reclaiming a dock.
Similarly, Eurostar will increase its capacity by introducing new kiosks at St Pancras station. Meanwhile, Eurotunnel is spending around £70 million to enhance its infrastructure to handle the expected longer queue times efficiently.
The new Entry Exit System (EES) mandates that travelers provide fingerprints and a photo and answer certain questions about their journey. As per BBC, this change means passports will no longer need to be stamped, but the registration process must be completed in person.
This has raised concerns about potential bottlenecks at ports and stations.
Officials are taking steps to mitigate these issues. The UK's former Foreign Secretary David Cameron worries about the impact on travel times. At Dover, the strategy involves moving car processing to a refurbished dock area to streamline the flow and reduce congestion.
The European Union and UK authorities collaborate closely to minimize disruptions during this transition. They are also developing contingency plans with local and industry partners to manage and alleviate potential delays effectively.
This shift to a more automated system is part of the European Union's broader efforts to enhance border security and manage the flow of travelers more efficiently.
Despite the challenges, the new system aims to modernize and speed up the border crossing process in the long run.
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EU Sets Ambitious Clean Tech Goals
On Monday, May 27, the European Union approved a significant new law aiming to bolster its clean technology sector.
Known as the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), the legislation mandates that by 2030, the EU will produce 40% of essential clean technology equipment like solar panels, wind turbines, and heat pumps.
According to VOI, the law is set to take effect by early July, following endorsements by key EU bodies. Its primary goal is to make the European Union competitive against major global players like the United States and China, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
Currently, China dominates the market with an anticipated 80% of the global manufacturing capacity for solar energy. Additionally, the EU is reacting to substantial green subsidies in the US, which threaten to draw European manufacturers stateside.
The NZIA also sets a broader target for 2040, aiming for the EU to achieve 15% of the global production of technologies that reduce greenhouse emissions. This initiative includes advancements in nuclear power, electrolysers, and carbon capture technologies.
Under the new law, the EU will also simplify permitting for clean tech manufacturing projects, aiming to issue most permits within six to nine months. This move is part of a larger strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce dependency on non-EU countries for critical supplies.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
