Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Navigation (CLdN) commenced a new weekly unaccompanied freight service on 24 April linking Ireland and Belgium in a move that will allow truck operators to by-pass the UK landbridge to European destinations after Britain leaves the EU in December.
Customs regulations are due to become mandatory between the UK and the EU from 1 January unless the transition period for negotiating the UK’s relationship with its closest neighbours is extended. It is understood that the extension must be agreed by the end of June.
In its most recent pronouncements the UK Government has said that it is not expecting to prolong the transition period beyond this year, which will mean that the UK is likely to leave the EU without a deal in place, given that the planned discussions have failed to take place in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In what can hardly be construed as a conciliatory remark, the Financial Times reported yesterday, “Boris Johnson has warned EU leaders they will have to change tack if there is to be a post-Brexit trade deal, with just two months to go until both sides take stock of whether an agreement is possible.”
Significant changes in trade flows between Southern Ireland and the UK and Northern Ireland are anticipated as a result of the expected failure for the two sides to reach agreement.
CLdN has agreed with the Port of Cork in Southern Ireland and Belgium’s Port of Zeebrugge to operate a weekly ro-ro freight service.
Zeebrugge is Europe’s largest ro-ro handling port and it lies within 550km of 60% of the EU’s consumers. In addition, the Belgian facility is connected globally to 200 destinations, offering Irish businesses a link to new markets.
The new service is part of a significant expansion by CLdN which will improve the resilience of Ireland’s supply chain and will allow trade between Ireland and the continent to develop along new lines, post-Brexit. The ro-ro operator already operates a service from Zeebrugge to Dublin and destinations in Spain and Portugal.
This direct freight link with Europe also reinforces the Port of Cork’s commitment to supporting businesses in the region and preparing for any eventuality Brexit may still bring, said a joint Port of Cork and CLdN statement.
Port of Cork CEO Brendan Keating, said, “Introducing this new connectivity to Zeebrugge not only helps Port of Cork to protect supply chains during the current crisis, but also adds a direct freight-only link with the heart of Europe.”
The new freight service will leave Zeebrugge every Friday to arrive in Cork on Sunday. It will return on Tuesday arriving in Zeebrugge again every Thursday. The trade of essential goods will be facilitated by a fleet of modern, environmentally-friendly vessels that offer high freight capacities.
A spokesperson for CLdN commented: “This new route has been driven by customer and market demand, and we are convinced – even at this unprecedented time – that Ireland’s famous exporters will once again show their Celtic spirit and make this new route a success.”
Nick Savvides
Managing Editor
