A weekly container train between Ballina and Belview Port, Waterford in July 2021 was launched by XPO Logistics for onward shipping connections to mainland Europe.

Loadings on the new service reports Multimodal UK, were initially a little sporadic due to reduced output from the anchor customer and the effects of delays in Europe.

With the start-up issues being resolved from the start of 2022, service utilization began to increase and other customers began to use the XPO service for small volume movements of containers. The build-up of business has now reached sufficient volume level where a second weekly return service can commence and this is scheduled to happen from June.

The service, although originally set up to connect Ireland and mainland Europe, is now attracting additional business with XPO now trialling 2 loads that originate from outside Europe.

Paul Hayes, Business Unit Director, XPO Logistics Europe said: “It was not the start we expected, but we have gained momentum quickly and have a successful rail flow that has grown.”

The Ballina freight yard in Co. Mayo, is the busiest in the country outside Dublin handling intermodal trains to Dublin and Waterford Ports and pulpwood trains to Waterford.

The Irish Rail ‘Rail Freight 2040 Strategy’ notes the terminal as the model for new ‘Tactical Rail Freight Terminals’ (TRFT) that it proposes for construction in Cork, Galway and Sligo.