It’s supposed to be Brexit Day and Dublin Port has a new Brexit-busting Ro-Ro freighter leaving harbour today for Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Luxembourg shipping company CLdN has added the MV Laureline into its freight service from Dublin, already served by the MV Celine, the biggest short-sea freighter operating out of the port.

CLdN’s total freight capacity will increase by 20% as a result, bringing the total possible number of direct sailings weekly between Dublin Port and continental Europe to seven. Operating from Alexandra Basin, CLdN now accounts for 40% of all units moved between Dublin Port and Continental Europe.

Built in South Korea, the Laureline is the third new generation ship in the CLdN fleet to enter service in Dublin Port, following the MV Mazarine in 2010 and the MV Celine in 2018, both of which were christened in Dublin.

Berthing such giant freighters at Dublin is possible only because of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project, which broke ground in 2016 and has already delivered new berths to accommodate expanding freight services and the next generation of super-ferries.

In Association with

Remaining works to redevelop two kilometres of existing berths in Alexandra Basin and deepen the approach channel to Dublin Port are due for completion by 2023.

Dublin Port chief executive Eamonn O’Reilly said: “The combination of Brexit and the huge growth in cargo volumes in Dublin Port (36% in six years) is an enormous challenge. We anticipate that demand for direct services between Dublin Port and continental Europe will increase further after Brexit.

"As it stands, two and half times more goods already move on direct routes from Dublin than via the UK landbridge. We’re increasingly seeing cargo such as fast-moving consumer goods, temperature-controlled foodstuffs, and goods previously distributed from UK distribution centres, moving on direct services such as these."

CLdN said in a statement that it takes a long-term view in respect of Dublin Port and has invested accordingly. "Since entering the Dublin market mid-recession in 2009, we have grown our direct services from Dublin Port to seven weekly callsto Zeebrugge and Rotterdam," the company stated.

“We believe we are ideally positioned to develop this trade further as a direct alternative to the UK landbridge. Customers want certainty on consignments that can travel on direct routes, even if that means a slower journey time, and our newest addition Laureline is now in place to meet growing demand.” 

Cruise Backlash

Meanwhile, a group of businesses across the tourism, retail and transport sectors have come together to campaign against Dublin Port’s decision to curtail cruise ship moorings at the port from 2021.

The All-Ireland Cruise Ship Action Group says that last year cruise ships brought over 442,000 visitors to Ireland.

"If Dublin Port is allowed to go ahead with its plan, all of this will be lost forever. We are calling on government to take immediate action to protect our jobs and businesses,’’ said spokeswoman Niamh McCarthy (pictured below, right), chief executive of Excursions Ireland.

“Dublin Port Company’s decision has come out of nowhere and will risk the many thousands of jobs in Ireland dependent on the sector. This sudden change in policy is a total shock to both the all-Ireland tourism sector and its international stakeholders.’’