Express delivery firms and France's La Poste are adapting to tighter security measures introduced by the French authorities following last Friday's terror attacks in Paris.
FedEx Express told CEP-Research that it anticipates some service delays for pickups and deliveries mainly in and around the French capital, but also in other parts of France and Benelux and Spain as well.
"This is as a result of the activation by the French State of the highest level of its anti-terrorist security plan in the Paris area, of increased cross-border controls and increased security procedures implemented by our customers. FedEx Express remains committed to customer service and has put operational contingency plans in place to minimize service delays," a spokesperson explained.
Despite the 'state of emergency' status in force in France, FedEx will continue to carry out its French operations as normally as possible. "We have implemented comprehensive contingency plans. We might experience road closures near the impacted areas (mainly in and around Paris) and in that case no pickups or deliveries will be possible while they are in place."
In addition, cross-border road operations were currently slower than normal between France and Belgium and France and Spain, causing minor delivery delays for some FedEx Express France customers in those regions. "At present, international air and rail operations are not seriously impacted by the additional security measures put in place following the attacks. However, we will continue to monitor the situation."
The spokesperson added: "FedEx extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and families of those affected by the tragic Paris terror attacks. We are reaching out to all our employees to ensure the safety of our local staff, flight crews and business travellers in the region.”
UPS underlined that its operations in Paris and in the rest of France were running as normal and there has been no impact on its ability to serve customers shipping from, to and within the country. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with everyone impacted by the tragic events in Paris on Friday, November 13," a spokesman said.
DHL said that the French authorities had implemented a number of security measures across the country and at the border in response to the Paris attacks. "DHL is not currently experiencing service disruption as a result of these measures but the situation is fluid and we are advising customers that delays are possible, particularly for deliveries to/from areas with public gatherings or on-going security operations where access may be restricted or impeded," a spokesman told CEP-Research.
He declined to comment on whether DHL had stepped up its own internal security measures at its premises in France or elsewhere. "We don't provide specific information on our security arrangements."
TNT said none of its employees had been hurt during the attacks and that information to date showed that no one at its business partners was reported missing. "Some streets in the 10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris and in Saint-Denis, around the Stade de France, aren't accessible. Identity checks and other security measures have been strengthened at the borders and in some facilities (like hospitals, universities, shopping malls), which we fully understand in these tragic circumstances," a TNT spokesman commented.
"We've operated a normal international and domestic service outside the restricted areas. We've prepared our regional depots and PUD operations to be able to handle more deliveries to hospitals and pharmacies in the coming days." The spokesman confirmed that TNT has reinforced its own security measures at its premises in France and in other European countries as well.
France's La Poste said that last weekend it had "activated the highest level of security at all of its operating centres and continues to assure its public service mission throughout the country."
A crisis unit had been set up following the attacks as well as a psychological support service for employees. Post offices situated in proximity to where the attacks had taken place had remained closed on Saturday morning but re-opened yesterday (Monday).
"Our thoughts turn particularly to postal staff who live and work in the neighbourhoods where the attacks took place and for those whose loved ones were affected." La Poste also "expressed its solidarity with the families of the victims and their relatives."
Meanwhile, Eurotunnel confirmed that since the Paris attacks France has stepped up the level of border controls in both directions (to and from the UK). "This had been expected anyway as a result of the COP21 United Nations Conference on Climate Change taking place in Paris from the end of the month," a spokesman said.
"The important thing is that there is no major impact on traffic flows and that the security is managed while keeping the traffic moving and we’re talking to the French authorities about this."
France has also announced the creation of 1,000 new Customs posts over the next two years as part of anti-terrorism measures in the wake of the Paris attacks.This will also see an additional 5,000 jobs created in the ranks of the police and gendarmerie, including an increase in the number of border guards.
