The Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has inaugurated a new Irish terminal at the French ferry port of Dunkirk. Ireland-France sea routes have risen from 12 before Brexit to 44 now.
Dunkirk has already handled nearly 50,000 freight units (trucks and unaccompanied containers) rom Rosslare and back. Exports can now avoid the UK landbridge, since Brexit took effect on 1 January.
“It’s basically sold out now with freight lorries,” said Minister Byrne.
“The whole port, the [Nord Pas de Calais] region, the [Dunkirk] chamber of commerce, is behind this, to get even more connections to Ireland.”
The sea route from Rosslare to Dunkirk provides freight transportdrivers with more rest periods, but the landbridge can be quicker and is still important for fresh foods.