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New Service? - Rosslare Europort to Le Havre, France Shipping Route Could Benefit Waterford

11th October 2019

In Waterford, the Green Party has welcomed moves to open a new shipping route linking Rosslare Europort to Le Havre in France.

An Irish delegation according to WaterfordLive, met with representatives of the French government and officials from the port of Le Havre last Friday with a view connecting the two ports by sea.

Responding to the news, Cllr. Marc Ó Cathasaigh commented the route has the potential to relieve some of the pressure on Dublin while benefiting the Southeast region and to help insulate Waterford from the worst effects of a crash-out Brexit.

"Rosslare Europort is of enormous strategic significance, all the more so with the spectre of Brexit looming. We know that Dublin Port and its surrounding infrastructure is creaking at the seams, and opening additional capacity through Rosslare could allow the Southeast to become a counterweight to Dublin-centric development and help drive economic activity here in Waterford."

The Tramore-based councillor also believes that opening a route to Le Havre could unlock European funding to develop the surrounding infrastructure.

For more click here.

Afloat adds Greek operator Neptune Lines launched in 2017 a vehicle importing service based on the following rotation: Santander (Spain) – Le Havre (France) – Southampton – Portbury - (both UK) and Rosslare Europort. 

As for the last passenger/car ferry linking Le Havre (see: 500th/Irish ferry routes) this took place when French owned LD Lines began operations in November 2008 served by ropax Norman Voyager. The operation was short-lived as LD Lines withdrew and by September 2009, Norman Voyager was chartered to Irish-owned Celtic Link Ferries but serving instead Cherbourg.

The Wexford (Kilmore Quay) based ferry company would themselves only trade a few years more (see farewell sailing) following acquisition by Stena Line in 2014.

Published in Rosslare Europort, Ferry
Jehan Ashmore

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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.