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A major European shipping company has decided to open new operations in Ireland amid concerns that the UK land bridge route will be “unworkable” for exporters, importers and shipping companies after the end of the Brexit transition period.
There are fears that the land bridge route will be “absolutely clogged” after the Brexit deadline in late December, according to Danish shipping company DFDS ‘new Rosslare to Dunkirk service route director Aidan Coffey, who spoke. at Rosslare on Friday. .
Criticizing a state report insisting that there is sufficient capacity on existing Irish shipping lanes, Mr Coffey claimed the review was “betting on Ireland’s future economy” in a one-sided analysis.
DFDS ‘new direct service each way between Co Wexford-based Europort and northern France, announced on Friday, will carry 130 trucks on three ships in its first outing on January 2. The service will operate six days a week.
“The UK is becoming an unworkable route for business, as far as we can see after January 2,” Coffey told The Irish Times.
He said border controls between the EU and the UK will see the land bridge “clogged”, increasing costs and making it less efficient for businesses. Suppliers are also discouraging trucking companies from using the land bridge, according to Coffey.
Disputed capacity
The new service comes despite a report from the state agency, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) which indicated that sufficient ferry capacity already exists. However, this last point has been questioned by carriers.
Mr Coffey said: “The IMDO report was sent to the existing players, the four ferry companies operating in the Irish seas. However, he did not consult with the people who actually use the service. We have been consulting with the transport companies and they know exactly what is going on. “
He added: “Are we willing to bet on the future economy of Ireland in a report that is taken from the opinions of four existing operators? . . ”
Rosslare Europort General Manager Glenn Carr said the new Rosslare-Dunkirk route offers a vital alternative: “This is an enormously exciting development.”
The port has studied post-Brexit shipping needs, he said, adding that the three ships on the new route will increase if there is enough traffic. “We expect a great demand,” he said.
Wexford TD Verona Murphy, former president of the Irish Road Transport Association, said the new route shows Rosslare’s strategic value to the state, providing travel certainty for businesses.
Road hauliers have pointed out in recent weeks that drivers traveling in Britain could violate tachograph rules.
“If they go through the UK, by the time they get to Dunkirk they will have to stop and take a nine-hour break,” Coffey said. “Is [new route] it will be more efficient for companies and allow them to better utilize their fleets. “
Route from Cork to Zeebrugge
Furthermore, the European shipping line CLdN, which already operates between Ireland and continental Europe, is adding a second such service, between Cork and Zeebrugge in Belgium, one of the busiest seaports in Europe, in January.
The company has increased its capacity in anticipation of traffic delays after the Brexit deadline on ferries serving the land bridge route and increased demand from Irish companies looking to negotiate directly with continental Europe.
CLdN will offer eight direct trips a week in each direction between Ireland and mainland Europe, and will be able to carry significant volumes, including on its so-called “Brexit buster” MV Celine ferry.
The company’s ships are primarily for container traffic and unaccompanied truck trailers, with the capacity to transport a small number of cargo trailers accompanied by the driver.
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