Some shipping and haulage companies have complained of “chaos” at Felixstowe Port in Suffolk, affecting goods in the run up to Christmas.

One ship due to be unloaded at the port last week was redirected to Rotterdam because of “unacceptable” delays.

The owner, Hutchison Ports, blames pre-Brexit stockpiling and the pandemic.

Freight manager Matt Hudson warned that “if the chaos continues, increased shipping prices will be passed on to consumers”.

Mr Hudson, whose company distributes goods picked up at the port, said containers were being left on the quayside because haulage companies could not book a slot to enter the site.

“It’s delaying freight going into shops for consumers to buy,” he said. “Shops are struggling anyway at the moment because of the impact from the coronavirus.

“If retail outlets can’t sell what is actually en-route at the moment in time for Christmas, potentially they could lose even more money than they have done already this year.”