Irish Ports

Stormy Seas and gales in February saw disruption not just in Dublin Bay but across routes and services out of other ports, among them ro-ro Bypass-Brexit operations of Brittany Ferries. The operator was forced to cancel freight sailings so to enable Armorique (above) retain a sailing schedule of a new four-route network connecting Ireland directly to the EU via France. THIS evening Armorique departs Rosslare on a scheduled sailing at 20.00hrs bound for St. Malo.

Bypass-Brexit Freight Ferry Bound for France Forced to take Rosslare-Ringaskiddy! Passage

25th February 2021 Rosslare Europort

As adverse weather impacted February, particularly Storm Darcy's disruption to Dublin Bay shipping, gales also affected Brittany Ferries new 'freight'-ferry network of Ireland-France operations, writes Jehan Ashmore. It was during routine tracking this day last week, that Afloat noted with…

83% of respondents say their plan is to grow exports to the UK. Above file scene of a busy Dublin Port with Alexanda Basin in the foreground.

Majority of Irish Exporters See New Opportunities in UK Market

12th February 2021 Irish Ports

Almost 90% of Irish exporters can see new opportunities in the UK market, according to research carried out by Enterprise Ireland. While the new EU UK trade and cooperation agreement has resulted in changes to how businesses operate in the…

Armorique on a repositioning voyage when approaching Rosslare Europort with Wexford Bay, where the ferry this afternoon completed Brittany Ferries a new four freight route rotation on Ireland-France links.

Brittany Ferries New Four Freight Route Rotation Completes first Circuit in Rosslare Europort

11th February 2021 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries this afternoon marked its first completion of operating the new four 'freight' route network of Ireland-France links that began running from Rosslare Europort on this day last week, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Armorique which launched the 'Brexit-bypass' routes…

'Competent authority' must be designated to monitor the risk of dangerous contagious diseases entering the State. As documents show that Ireland has been non-compliant for approximately a decade, despite high-level discussions between the HSE, Department of Health and Department of Transport.

Irish Ports & Airports in Breach of WHO Pandemic Rules

10th February 2021 Irish Ports

In documents seen by RTÉ News, Ireland is in breach of the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations (IHR) on contagious disease control by failing to designate a 'competent authority' at its ports and airports. The documents also show that…

Expansion by Brittany Ferries is to see new routes and sailings to France (starting this week AFLOAT adds by Armorique above), bringing more freight options for hauliers connecting to mainland Europe. Freight volumes through the port were up almost 500% in January 2021 compared to last year. The news follows the French operators announcement to also boost operations with a new route and crossings out of Cork.

Further Expansion By Brittany Ferries, Increases Rosslare's European Services to 32 Weekly

2nd February 2021 Brittany Ferries

The Government's Operational Update review on trade a month after the post-Brexit transition ended, Afloat adds narrowly missed inclusion as yet another ferry development arose today, as Brittany Ferries announced new 'freight' routes increasing capacity directly to mainland Europe. Glenn…

Irish Ports during January saw volumes 50% down on imports from the UK. Above in the south east Irish Port of Waterford (Beliew) terminal where various bulk & breakbulk cargoes are also handled. AFLOAT has identified most of this merchant ship quayside scene during 2020 (l-r) Celtic Warrior (Charles M. Willie) Samskip Endeavour (for DFDS) and Miriam (for Maersk).

Irish Ports See Volume of Goods Inbound from UK Down 50%

1st February 2021 Irish Ports

Irish Port figures according to authorities following the Brexit transition that ended a month ago, have seen volumes of goods inbound from the UK remaining at around 50% of normal. As RTE News reports, the quantities of freight however are…

Record Freight Figures at Rosslare Europort as above AFLOAT adds is on the occasion in January when DFDS launched ro-pax Optima Seaways onto a new ro-ro freight route to Dunkirk, France. As RTE adds the new regime requiring hauliers leaving for France to have evidence of a negative Covid-19 test is reported to be going relatively smoothly.

Ferry Freight Traffic in January Up 45% at Rosslare Europort & Freight to Europe Up 446% Year-on-Year

1st February 2021 Rosslare Europort

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,…

Operator of the new Rosslare Europort-Dunkirk freight-ferry route, DFDS have chartered the Drotten, a sister ropax from Scandinavian operator 'Destination Gotland'. The near 30,000 gross tonnage vessel replaces Optima Seaways, so to increase freight capacity between Ireland and mainland Europe. As above the ship is seen stern first making an inaugural arriving at the Wexford's port outer pier to undertake berthing trials in advance of commencing operations

DFDS Introduce Larger Freight Ferry At Rosslare As Europort Continues By-Passing Brexit

29th January 2021 Rosslare Europort

Ferry changes yet again took place at Rosslare Europort as the ropax Drotten made a first arrival from Dunkirk, France, the bypass Brexit route that DFDS only launched this month, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat first became aware of the Drotten…

The CSO has released new figures on the performance of six of the main Irish Ports. Above: a containership departing in lower Cork Harbour and where a tanker is berthed at the Whitegate Oil Refinery.

CSO Figures Show Goods Handled in Main Irish Ports Marginally Down in Q3 of 2020

22nd January 2021 Irish Ports

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show a marginal decrease in the volume of goods handled in six of the seven Irish ports in the third quarter of 2020. Six of the main Irish ports - Bantry, Dublin, Drogheda, Cork, Shannon…

Brittany Ferries is to open a second route out of Rosslare to Cherbourg but by two months ahead of schedule to meet driving freight demand between Ireland and mainland Europe. The service is to be operated by Cap Finistère, at 204m long and of 33,000 gross registered tonnes. The ferry first entered service with the French operator in 2010, on long-haul routes connecting Portsmouth (UK) and Santander and Bilbao (Northern Spain). The ‘Superfast’ class ferry has plenty of space for drivers and passengers, with 265 en-suite cabins. The garage decks offer nearly 2km of space for freight vehicles, and the ferry is the fastest in the fleet with a top cruising speed of 28 knots.

Brittany Ferries Add New Rosslare-Cherbourg Service Bringing More Capacity & Much Earlier

16th January 2021 Brittany Ferries

Hot on the heals of Stena Line's new Dublin-Cherbourg route announced today, Brittany Ferries has also acted quickly to support the freight sector and meet the needs of an industry battling Brexit by confirming a new weekly Rosslare-Cherbourg service. As…

Stena Embla on her berth in Belfast in early January

Stena Line’s Newest Ship Debuts on Rosslare-Cherbourg Route

13th January 2021 Stena Line

Stena Line’s newest addition to its fleet, the brand-new Stena Embla ferry will make its Irish Sea debut on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service. Originally scheduled for service on the Belfast-Liverpool route, due to the current Brexit related shift for direct routes…

Shipyard Ferguson Marine has closed for this week due to concerns of increased Covid-19 infection rates. Above Afloat adds the newbuild Glen Sannox, first of the duel-fuel ferries for operator CalMac, which last year was moved from the shipyard to Dales dry dock also located on the Clyde.

Clyde Shipyard In Temporary Shutdown Over Covid Fears

11th January 2021 Shipyards

The Scottish shipyard that was contracted to build a pair of duel-fuel ferries, Ferguson Marine is being closed down for a week with immediate effect. Bosses say they have temporarily closed their Port Glasgow yard and Greenock warehouse with immediate effect.…

The fast ropax vessel Visby operated the first 'inbound' sailing of DFDS new route from Dunkirk in northern France which arrived in Rosslare Europort last night at around 2200hrs. Visby was 'fully booked' with vital direct freight conveniently bypassing a post Brexit UK. In addition avoiding related UK/EU customs checks and potential traffic congestion.

First 'Inbound' DFDS Freight Ferry From Dunkirk Arrives to Rosslare Europort

4th January 2021 Rosslare Europort

The chartered Visby became the first freight-ferry of DFDS new Ireland-mainland Europe ro-ro route to operate the inaugural 'inbound' sailing from Dunkirk in France with an arrival in Rosslare Europort last night, writes Jehan Ashmore. As Afloat previously reported, the…

The Scottish west coast shipyard of Ferguson Marine on the Clyde where Afloat adds in this file photo is hyprid newbuild ferries Glen Sannox and sister new build for operator CalMac.

Boss in Scotland Says Ferry Operators Will Be ‘Nervous’ About Ordering from Shipyard

2nd January 2021 Shipyards

In Scotland, a western based ferry boss has warned commercial operators will now be “nervous” of ordering new vessels from the Ferguson shipyard on the Clyde, amid the ongoing fallout from a contract to build two dual-fuel (ferries) to operate…

Rosslare Europort and hauliers alike welcomed the first arrival of the DFDS owned Optima Seaways this morning so to enable berthing trials prior to the launch of a new direct ro-ro freight-only route to Dunkirk, France on mainland continental Europe. This new 'Brexit-buster' service will avoid the UK Land-Bridge. AFLOAT also adds the direct Ireland-France route will be the first ever ro-ro route to transit straight through the entire English Channel as the French port is located on the North Sea and is east of Calais from where DFDS operate an existing service to Dover along with Dunkirk-Dover.

First DFDS Freight Ferry for New Rosslare Europort-Dunkirk (France) Route Makes Berthing Trials

30th December 2020 Rosslare Europort

Rosslare Europort welcomed the first of three ro-ro freight-ferries, that DFDS will operate on the eagerly awaited new direct route to Dunkirk (Dunkerque) in northern France thus avoiding the UK's Brexit Land-bridge, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat tracked the Italian 'Visentini'…

Rosslare Port in County Wexford hopes it will be busier as a result of Brexit. Above ferries (l-r) serving UK, Spain and France occupy berths.

Irish Port of Rosslare is Hoping to Benefit following Brexit

27th December 2020 Rosslare Europort

As BBC News reports, the Irish port of Rosslare (Europort) hopes Brexit will be good for it as increasing numbers of hauliers seek to avoid the UK land bridge as the UK prepares to leave the EU. That is because…