Freight from Ireland to Fishguard cut in half as businesses bypass post-Brexit controls

A 50 per cent decline in freight volumes between Rosslare in Ireland and Fishguard in Wales was recorded in the first week of 2021.

It comes as businesses avoided the new post-Brexit customs and regulatory controls at the EU-UK border.

According to the Irish Times, Rosslare also reported a five-fold increase in freight units on ferries to and from France and Spain in the first six sailing days of January compared with the same period last year.

Glenn Carr, general manager of Rosslare Europort, said there had been a “phenomenal response” to the new direct services between Ireland and continental Europe.

“We are seeing the switch from supply chains on the UK landbridge to mainland Europe. The benefits have been seen with a number of key supply chains that have been able to ensure their stock has been delivered into the country because they switched to direct services,” he told the Irish Times.

He said Rosslare Europort was speaking to other shipping lines about setting up new direct services given the level of interest in avoiding Brexit checks through Britain.

“The UK will not apply their full suite of checks until July. The challenges with the landbridge will only be seen when all the checks are required on both sides,” he said.