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Ferry Freight Traffic in January Up 45% at Rosslare Europort & Freight to Europe Up 446% Year-on-Year

1st February 2021
Record Freight Figures at Rosslare Europort as above AFLOAT adds is on the occasion in January when DFDS launched ro-pax Optima Seaways onto a new ro-ro freight route to Dunkirk, France.  As RTE adds the new regime requiring hauliers leaving for France to have evidence of a negative Covid-19 test is reported to be going relatively smoothly. Record Freight Figures at Rosslare Europort as above AFLOAT adds is on the occasion in January when DFDS launched ro-pax Optima Seaways onto a new ro-ro freight route to Dunkirk, France. As RTE adds the new regime requiring hauliers leaving for France to have evidence of a negative Covid-19 test is reported to be going relatively smoothly. Credit: RTE News-twitter

Ferry services running out of Rosslare Europort has reported a 45% jump in freight traffic during January compared to the same period last year.

UK traffic is down 49% for the month, but European freight is up by 446% year-on-year, with "unprecedented demand" for the new direct services which opened up since 1 January between Rosslare and the mainland continent.

Hauliers have been using the services between Rosslare and Dunkirk and Cherbourg in France to avoid the UK landbridge, now that the post-Brexit fallout means extra customs and other checks for traffic entering and exiting the EU.

Meanwhile, the new regime requiring hauliers leaving Ireland for France to produce evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result is reported to be going relatively smoothly.

The first pop-up test centres for commercial drivers only opened in Gorey and Dublin on Thursday, with further "drive-through" centres since opened in Cork and Shannon, and another for truckers due to open at Holmestown outside Wexford town in the coming days.

More here reports RTE News on this record traffic development at Ireland's closest port to mainland Europe. 

Published in Rosslare Europort, Ferry
Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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About Rosslare Europort

2021 sees Rosslare Europort hitting a new record with a total of 36 shipping services a week operating from the port making it one of the premier Irish ports serving the European Continent. Rosslare Europort is a gateway to Europe for the freight and tourist industries. It is strategically located on the sunny south-east coast of Ireland.

Rosslare is within a 90-minute driving radius of major Irish cities; Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Rosslare Europort is a RoRo, RoPax, offshore and bulk port with three RoRo berths with a two-tier linkspan, we also have a dedicated offshore bulk berth.

Exports in Rosslare Europort comprise mainly of fresh products, food, pharmaceuticals, steel, timber and building supplies. While imports are largely in the form of consumer goods such as clothes, furniture, food, trade vehicles, and electronics.

The entire Europort is bar-swept to 7.2 meters, allowing unrestricted access to vessels with draughts up to 6.5 metres. Rosslare Europort offers a comprehensive service including mooring, stevedoring and passenger-car check-in for RoRo shipping lines. It also provides facilities for offshore, dry bulk and general cargo.

The port currently has twice-daily round services to the UK and direct services to the continent each day. Rosslare Europort has a fleet of Tugmasters service, fork-lift trucks, tractors and other handling equipment to cater for non-standard RoRo freight.