By Dan Walsh
Important news from Rosslare Europort this week with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton confirming Government approval has been given for the OPW to proceed to tender for the development of the necessary permanent state infrastructure in Rosslare Europort.
The permanent facilities are needed to manage the requirements for checks and controls on trade with the UK as a consequence of Brexit and will replace the temporary infrastructure put in place in Kilrane in advance of the March 2019 Brexit deadline.
“I have been assured by Minister Naughton that the plans for the development of the new facilities will be done in a manner designed to minimise any negative impact on the port’s current operations and future business development,” Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com.
Rosslare Europort has seen a significant expansion of services to the Continent since January 2021, with new weekly services going from 6 to 34. Services to and from the Port have been increased with Cherbourg and Bilbao with new routes introduced between Le Harve and Zeebrugge.
Rosslare Europort has experienced a huge increase in direct Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) services to mainland Europe over the last two years. This is in addition to the daily services from Rosslare Europort to the UK which provide an important alternative to Dublin Port for British traffic.
From November 2022, Brittany Ferries are introducing a new Cruise Ferry ‘the MV Galicia’ on its Rosslare-Cherbourg and Rosslare-Bilbao routes. This vessel will more than double passenger capacity on these routes and generate a substantial increase in Ireland’s tourism opportunities with France and Spain.
2021 saw a 371% increase in freight units through the Rosslare Europort to Europe and despite UK freight being down 34%. This represents the highest yearly growth in the port’s history and demonstrating the national importance of Rosslare Europort as a key connection for freight and passenger services to the UK and Europe.
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