The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) held a demonstration at the port of Ramsgate on Tuesday, January 22 calling the government to provide jobs for UK seafarers on a ferry route being set up in case of a no-deal Brexit.

It comes after Seaborne Ferries received the award of a £13.8 million from the government to run crossings from the town to Ostend in Belgium, despite having no previous experience of running a ferry service and owning no ships.

Ramsgate Labour Councillor, Karen Constantine, said: “We do think it’s rather poor that Chris Grayling has given Seaborne Freight £14m. We would have preferred to have seen this money come directly into the town of Ramsgate.

“And actually what we really want is decent economic plan to boost the prosperity for all in Ramsgate, not just a few private sector profiteers.”

She added: “I really support the RMT and their ambition to make sure that workers are properly treated at sea and give them proper wages. It’s absolutely terrible that some seafarers are paid as little as £2.7 an hour.”

The union has previously held a protest at the Department of Transport’s head office in London on January 11, after controversial contracts have been awarded to three companies, including Seaborne Freight, amounting to more £108m it total to operate ferry services in no-deal Brexit scenario.

Darren Procter, national secretary of the union, said: “We are here today to make sure that Seaborne Freight, if and when their service takes off given the money they’ve been given from the government, invest in local seafarers, they have proper rate of pay on board, the union’s collective agreement, a voice for seafarers, and that vessels operate on decent terms and conditions.”