Shipping Company CLdN and the Port of Cork are pleased to announce that a new weekly service to Cork will be added to the existing sailing schedule for containerised cargo. CLdN's vessel, MV Arx will call to the Port of Cork's Container Terminal in Tivoli direct from France, before sailing to Dublin as part of its new weekly sailing schedule. The service will also call to the ports of Radicatel in France, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Zeebrugge in Belgium.

The decision to establish a direct continental link to the Port of Cork further establishes CLdN's position in Ireland as a key logistics partner to the regions importers and exporters, and shows confidence in CLdn's ability to supply a reliable, market leading and cost conscious service which will assist their clients in the current tough economic climate.

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and due to its favourable location and modern facilities, the Port of Cork is ideally positioned to assist CLdN in the development of its quality containerised shipping service between Southern Ireland and the strategic ports in France, The Netherlands and Belgium. A well-developed road network will ensure good transit times both to and from the port, ensuring a reliable service offering to CLdn customers.

According to CLdN: 'CLdN intends to build upon its significant investment in the Irish market to date in an effort to bring further initiatives to the market to improve the reliability and cost effectiveness  required to allow importers and exporters of Ireland maintain a competitive edge in their selected markets.'

Commenting on the new containerised service, Captain Michael McCarthy Commercial Manager Port of Cork said: 'This new service will offer industry in Ireland a competitive choice of routes to market which will contribute to the current competitiveness of the Irish import and export sector. It also emphasises the strategic position of the Port of Cork as recent figures released by the Irish Exporter Association state that the export market has seen an increase of 8% to date and is expected to continue to grow in 2011.'

CLdN, whose Irish offices are located in Dublin and Cork ports, have forged long term partnerships with both suppliers and customers and intend to expand operations in Ireland over the coming years to ensure that the market continues to provide their customers with the infrastructure to assist in their continued success. CLdN was awarded the Irish Exporters Association Shortsea Shipping Company of the Year for 2010 reflecting the positive impact their services have on their members.