Key facts
- 25 inflatable boats and 25 outboard engines were seized at the Port of Felixstowe.
- The shipment originated in China and was destined for Hamburg, Germany.
- Each boat was capable of carrying approximately 80 people.
- The National Crime Agency (NCA) stated the seizure is a significant blow to people-smuggling operations.
- This is believed to be the first seizure of a bulk consignment of boats and engines for people smugglers in the UK.
Authorities in the United Kingdom have seized a significant shipment of equipment intended for people-smuggling operations at the Port of Felixstowe. The consignment included 25 inflatable boats and 25 outboard engines, which originated from China and were en route to Germany.
Officials believe the seized items could have been used to transport approximately 2,000 people across the English Channel in dangerous conditions, with each 10-meter-long boat capable of carrying around 80 individuals. The National Crime Agency (NCA) hailed the operation as a "serious blow" to criminal gangs facilitating illegal crossings and stated it would put a "huge dent in the profits" of the network involved.
This seizure is understood to be the first time a bulk consignment of boats and engines destined for people smugglers has been intercepted in the UK. The NCA indicated that the shipment was bound for Hamburg, Germany, a known staging post for people traffickers who would then move the equipment to northern France or Belgium for Channel crossings.
The NCA, working with Border Force and international partners, has intercepted over 1,500 boats and engines since 2023 as part of ongoing investigations into criminal networks. There is no suggestion that the ship's crew or operators were aware of the contents of the container. The agency continues its investigation into those responsible for organizing the shipment.