The Port of Cork is hopeful that a new ferry service between Cork, Spain and France will be announced within a month — to take advantage of marketing the route for the summer season.

For the past five years port officials have been working on an EU-sponsored plan to create new shipping routes, which will remove a lot of traffic from European roads and reduce carbon emissions. Port of Cork commercial manager Michael McCarthy said he was hopeful that an international operator would start the service which will provide access to northern Spain and the west coast of France.

A number of major shipping lines are in discussions with the Port of Cork and Mr McCarthy said he was "optimistic" that a breakthrough was imminent. He explained that the routes would be extremely attractive to exporters, hauliers and tourists.

It is estimated it will save vehicles, especially juggernauts, about 1,300km each way on a journey from Limerick to Madrid. Currently lorries have to drive through Wales and England and down through France.

The Port of Cork said in 2007 1.7 million Ro-Ro freight units left the eastern ports of Ireland for Britain and about 40%, or 708,800 trailers, were destined to travel on to Europe. "We have spoken to Fáilte Ireland, farmers, hauliers and a number of exporters who see it as a very positive venture. We have conducted a business plan and are satisfied that it is a viable business if run properly," Mr McCarthy said

The Ro-Ro freight and car ferry service would provide two trips per week to Spain and one to one of the French Biscay ports. Mr McCarthy said the creation of a new ferry link was being organised through the EU project "Motorways of the Sea" which is aimed at reducing traffic on European roads by using sea crossings.

Source: The Irish Examiner, February 2010