Neale Richmond
Question:92. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the status of the post-Brexit shipping links between Ireland and the UK and the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14558/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2021
Questions (92)
Written answers
A key priority for my Department in the lead up to the end of the transition period was to ensure continued maritime connectivity with both our UK and EU markets.
As of March 2021, there are around 68 RoRo freight sailings between Ireland and the Continent in a typical week. This includes five shipping operators, Irish Ferries, Stena Line, DFDS, Brittany Ferries and CLDN offering both accompanied and unaccompanied freight. This represents an increase of around 34 sailings per week, or around 150% increase in continental RoRo frequency compared to March 2020.
Weekly RoRo freight capacity to continental EU ports has doubled in the past 12 months. There is now capacity for approximately 5,000 additional HGV’s & unaccompanied trailers on continental RoRo services per week in March 2021.
What the last number of months have demonstrated is the resilience and responsiveness of the Irish shipping industry. It has adjusted swiftly and comprehensively to the changes in demand from business, and provided a range of additional services, frequency and capacity options to transport goods to continental markets.
When compared to the first two months in 2020, IMDO estimates for RoRo units (imports and exports) in 2021 has shown:
- a decline of 39% on Ireland – GB routes (including c.50% on Holyhead – Dublin),
- an increase of 78% on Ireland – EU routes,
With the Customs declarations and other administrative tasks now required for trade with Great Britain, the Irish RoRo and LoLo freight market is currently experiencing unprecedented market challenges. In addition, both Ireland and Great Britain are experiencing widespread economic restrictions for public safety reasons. These restrictions impose significant downward pressure on trade volumes across both economies. The combined RoRo freight and passenger model of service is particularly affected, particularly with the continuing restrictions on international travel.
While prolonged reduced levels of demand have already seen some reduction in IRL-GB services, there remains more than enough capacity on other services between Ireland and GB to take any displaced freight, accompanied or unaccompanied.
As shipping operators compete to understand new demand patterns, the market is currently in a state of change, with a new equilibrium yet to be found. My Department and the IMDO continues to monitor this closely.