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.