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London Medway, part of the Peel Ports Group, has had its busiest ever month for unaccompanied freight using a cargo only ro-ro ferry service between the UK and France.

The Sheerness-Calais service which is run by DFDS (also Rosslare Europort-Dunkirk) has carried more than 3,981 trailers on its vessels across the channel in April 2022.

Unaccompanied freight, (trailers and containers shipped without a driver), is seen by some in the industry as a major way of overcoming challenges with customs delays, driver shortages and storage.

The dedicated vessel for this route, the M/V Botnia Seaways, operates between Sheerness and Calais.  

The route was first introduced in June 2021 to expand DFDS’ existing network of services between the UK and Europe and came in response to the growing demand for unaccompanied freight services from cargo owners, hauliers and shipping lines.

Richard Goffin, Port Director, South East Ports Cluster at Peel Ports said: “These record-breaking achievements are a true testament to the increasing capabilities and efficiencies of our operations at London Medway, as well as our outstanding team without which this wouldn’t have been possible.

“We have invested heavily into our port estate recently, improving resiliency and capacity, providing a more attractive UK entry point over other southern ports.

“Our dedicated RoRo facilities, location and accessibility provide significant benefits for our customers, including DFDS."

“The success of the M/V Botnia Seaways vessel and the wider partnership demonstrates how London Medway is going from strength to strength and is a strong indication for our future success.”

The ports' group also operates the Port of Liverpool where Afloat has a story on educational inclusion for students across the city. 

Published in Ports & Shipping

About MGM Boats

MGM Boats is one of Ireland's leading boat brokers now operating internationally as well as throughout Ireland. MGM Boats was founded in 1997 by brothers Martin and Gerry Salmon who were previously worked as a carpenter, joiner and glass fibre laminator in the 1980s. Martin progressed to boat retailing in the late 1980s and Gerry was a service manager in the 1990s. From these many years of experience, MGM Boats was founded in 1997. It started out as a service, maintenance and repairs company based in Malahide, Co. Dublin.

The company grew in 1998 when the Aquador dealership was acquired. Starting as they meant to go on, in 2001 MGM became distributors for Jeanneau Motorboats and Yachts and also opened its second office in Belfast. MGM had begun to create what would be an international and acclaimed brokerage company.

In 2003, MGM Boats moved to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co. Dublin. The large office space and yard expanded the service department and paved the way for MGM to acquire the dealership for Sunseeker in Ireland in 2003.

From then, MGM built up its brokerage listings and in 2009 it opened its office in Hamble, UK. This has led to many years of MGM being present at all major UK boat shows, and each year growing their presence and listings.

The success of MGM's brokerage listings spread internationally, leading in 2012 to 2 new offices being opened in the Mediterranean - in Villamoura, Portugal and Mallorca, Spain. The now international brand and team throughout these years received many awards for their enterprising spirit, customer service and international presence, including winning Sunseeker Distributor of the Year in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

This also led to a new Irish office being opened in Kinsale, Co. Cork increasing their presence within Ireland as well as abroad.

At A Glance – MGM Boats Agencies

MGM Boats are Irish agents for the following yacht and motorboat manufacturers

  • Jeanneau sail
  • Jeanneau power
  • Prestige
  • Lagoon catamarans
  • Aquador
  • Bayliner
  • Zodiac

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