Port of Dover-based marine and port services provider George Hammond has become the first company of its kind in Europe to be certified to full AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) status.
AEO is a new system, introduced at the beginning of 2009, which provides advance notification of goods entering or leaving the EU and covers all areas of the supply chain.
Hammond’s certification incorporates its fresh produce business at Dover Cargo Terminal, where the firm handles up to 300,000 pallets per year of bananas, pineapples and melons for clients including Fyffes, Del Monte, Compagnie Frutiere and Mack.
“This certification process is not for the faint-hearted,” said George Hammond managing director Brian Madderson. “We had no less than five inspection visits over a four month period to examine in absolute detail all our activities.”
“AEO status will give customers hard evidence of the total professionalism throughout our shipping service operations,” he added.
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