In 1939, Binney took up a post as the Swedish representative of the UK Ministry of Supply (Iron and Steel Control). He was to assist in the acquisition of steel, machine tools, and most notably ball-bearings for the UK's armament programme. Following the outbreak of war and the isolation of Sweden after the German invasions of Norway and Denmark, Binney organised a series of blockade-running operations. This included Operation Rubble, Operation Performance, Operation Bridford, and Operation Moonshine.