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Ferry Route Rosslare Europort-France Announced Offers Six-Day Weekly Sailings

27th November 2020
EURO-route: The new service brings to 13 the number of direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent. Afloat adds the Danish based giant operator, DFDS is to launch the new direct ro-ro service on 1st January 2021, offering increased frequency, which will appeal to Irish hauliers to avoid the UK landbridge with new delays, customs clearance and checks of a post-Brexit. Above is ro-ro freightferry Gardenia Seaways which is part of DFDS extensive fleet. EURO-route: The new service brings to 13 the number of direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent. Afloat adds the Danish based giant operator, DFDS is to launch the new direct ro-ro service on 1st January 2021, offering increased frequency, which will appeal to Irish hauliers to avoid the UK landbridge with new delays, customs clearance and checks of a post-Brexit. Above is ro-ro freightferry Gardenia Seaways which is part of DFDS extensive fleet. Credit: Jehan Ashmore

A new ferry route between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk in northern France offering a six-day weekly service has been announced by logistics giant DFDS.

The new direct ro-ro service is aimed at giving hauliers and the wider Irish industry sector a new option to replace the UK landbridge, post-Brexit, amid fears of hours-long delays on the landbridge once customs and other checks come into force in the new year.

Starting on 2 January, the new service will bring to 13 the number of direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent, each way, every week, during peak times of year.

"This is a hugely exciting development, not only for us in Rosslare Europort, but for Ireland as a whole, Irish industry, and the haulage sector", port general manager Glenn Carr said this morning.

Fears have been expressed by many in international trade recently about the effects which Brexit will have on Irish business, particularly because of anticipated lengthy delays in the UK because of the need to have customs checks for traffic travelling between that country and EU countries.

Irish hauliers currently complete tens of thousands of journeys across the landbridge and into the continent every year.

RTE News reports more on the new direct ro-ro service to mainland Europe.

Published in Rosslare Europort, Ferry
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.