A major new ferry connection of a Cork-Europe route this Spring/early Summer looks likely as a company is reported to be in the final stage of starting the direct link to Boulogne in northern France.

As Cork Beo reports, plans of the Ireland-France route by a new operator, Hibernia Line, would run six days a week using a ropax ferry, with passengers having 350-berth cabins along with space dedicated for freight capacity.

The direct route would provide a great link for Cork based businesses and open up brand new options to those travelling to and from mainland Europe. The Port of Boulogne is close to the borders of the lowland nations, Paris (Olympics) and beyond the tourist attractions of the Alps.

According to a speciality ferry/freight sector sources, the newly formed Hibernia Line, which could be operated on a joint basis involving established ferry operators. Such discussions are at an advanced stage of completing plans of the Ireland-EU member state route.

More here on this ferry development.

Afloat.ie adds, the nearest equivalent to the Hibernia Line route is DFDS existing Rosslare-Dunkirk route which began in January, 2021 as a Brexit-Busting freight-only alternative to the UK land-bridge. A 'trial' passenger service took place last year, whereas 2024 is to offer an expanded such service due to high demand.

If the new Hibernia Line launches, Afloat adds the direct-continental route would be geographically (the longest ‘passenger’ route based out of Cork to France), since Irish Ferries served to Le Havre until ceasing the connection more than a quarter century ago.

The Munster-Normandy route of Irish Ferries had taken 21 hours 30 minutes, whereas the current DFDS Ireland-France route is some 23-24 hours. As for the Hibernia Line link would be around 15-20 hours passage time using faster ferries compared to those of the past.