After having successfully started a brand new service between Zeebrugge and Cork in May this year, CLdN is poised to introduce a second weekly call in the coming days, to cope with the increasing demand on this route.
In light of the end of the transition period of Brexit approaching, combined with the modal shift from accompanied to unaccompanied shipping and having a direct link between the continent and Ireland bypassing the Landbridge, resulted in a booming demand for the Cork service. Adding a second call will allow CLdN’s customers to have a quicker turnaround time of their assets and bypassing the UK avoids any border disruptions, allowing them moving their cargoes in the most effective and cost efficient way between Ireland and the continent. Add to that a low carbon footprint for the entire logistics supply chain helps to explain the quick success of the route.
Customers have welcomed the addition of the Cork service earlier in the year and now wish to see the service expand, giving more flexibility to Irish services as a whole, with this increase meaning CLdN will now offer eight direct sailings per week in each direction, continental Europe (Zeebrugge, Rotterdam) and Ireland, with the ability to carry in excess of a quarter of a million cargo units annually.
Conor Mowlds, Port of Cork Chief Commercial Officer said: ‘This is very exciting news for Cork and indeed importers and exporters utilising the current service. Added frequency offers flexibility and with more and more cargo looking to avoid the UK land bridge, this second Cork to Zeebrugge service is another step forward in ensuring supply chains are maintained.’
He continued: ‘In these extraordinary times a second direct Ro-Con freight link with Europe from Cork, Ireland’s primary southern gateway reinforces our commitment to supporting businesses in the region and preparing for any eventuality Brexit may bring.’
A spokesperson from CLdN stated: ‘As we have shown and continue to deliver, we will deploy larger vessels or add more frequency to match demand to and from Ireland and will react immediately the market signals a requirement, as we see the Irish market as a core route in our portfolio.’