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Continued Growth Set for Rosslare Europort With Addition of New Route to Belgium

2nd June 2022
Finnlines are set to operate a new twice weekly freight service betweem Rosslare Europort to Zeebrugge in Belgium from July. Finnlines are set to operate a new twice weekly freight service betweem Rosslare Europort to Zeebrugge in Belgium from July. Credit: Wexford People-twitter

Activity at Rosslare Europort which has exploded post-Brexit is continuing in earnest with yet another new route set to be announced for the Wexford ferry port.

According to Wexford People, it’s been reported that Finnlines are now set to operate a twice weekly Ro-Ro freight service between Rosslare and the Belgian port of Zeebrugge commencing in July of this year.

However, Rosslare Europort management (see press release below) are insisting that a deal has not been concluded yet, although they are in “advanced discussions” with Finnlines. They stressed that “while agreement has not yet been reached, Rosslare Europort is optimistic that this new route can be established to give yet another crucial link for Irish industry to and from mainland Europe.”

The addition of a route to the Belgian port has been rumoured for quite some time as demand for sailings to continental Europe continues to grow in the wake of Brexit. It appears that it is now coming to fruition as a result of consultations between New Ross based Nolan Transport and Finnlines, although the transport company may have jumped the gun slightly with their announcement.

More reports Wexford People which as alluded above referred to Rosslare Europort which today (2 June) issued a press release as also below:

In response to speculation, Glenn Carr, General Manager, Rosslare Europort has confirmed that Port management are in advanced discussion with Finnlines – part of the world-leading logistics and shipping Grimaldi Group – about a possible new connection between the Co Wexford port and the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, one of Europe’s largest RoRo ports.

Port management have stressed that while agreement has not yet been reached, Rosslare Europort is optimistic that this new route can be established to give yet another crucial link for Irish industry to and from mainland Europe.  

Since Brexit, Rosslare Europort has established itself as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe, with the highest RoRo volumes of any Irish port to/from the continent during 2021.  Rosslare Europort continues to engage with new and established shipping lines and with partner ports in Europe as it seeks to further build the range of services operating from the port. 

Published in Rosslare Europort
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.