HAULIERS are warning that the European Union's proposed new shipping routes from Ireland to Belgium and the Netherlands after Brexit would increase transit times threefold and result in Irish food being spoiled while in transit
HAULIERS are warning that the European Union's proposed new shipping routes from Ireland to Belgium and the Netherlands after Brexit would increase transit times threefold and result in Irish food being spoiled while in transit. Eighty per cent of all Irish goods exported to Europe are transported via the Channel Tunnel in Dover that links England to France. Concerns have already been voiced for Irish exports over long delays at the land bridge due to additional customs checks after Brexit, reported Dublin's Irish Times.
The European Commission says the proposed new shipping routes between Dublin and Cork and Zeebrugge and Antwerp in Belgium, as well as Rotterdam in the Netherlands would ensure connectivity.
The UK is part of the North Sea-Mediterranean Core Network Corridor (NSM corridor), which links Belfast, Dublin and Cork with Glasgow and Edinburgh in the north of the UK, and Folkestone and Dover in the south.
If transitional arrangements are not established in a withdrawal agreement, the UK will cease to be a member of the NSM corridor from March 30, which the commission noted will 'significantly affect' Ireland.
Freight Transport Association Ireland spokesman Jerry Meredith said the proposal 'does provide a solution and give us ease of accessibility into mainland Europe,' adding that 'the problem is the duration of the sail.'
'At the moment the travelling time between Dublin and Zeebrugge is 11.5 hours and that's using the land bridge,' he said. 'Going with those shipping lines would be anything between 36 and 41 hours.
'That in itself would not assist with the likes of fruit products that have a shelf life. It's going to create a problem. This issue with the land bridge is a major issue for international hauliers. We still need access to France and Spain for our products.'
Ibec's Food Drink Ireland director Conor Mulvihill said: 'The vast majority of our European bound dairy and meat (over 90 per cent) goes through the British land bridge.
'To switch all of this would still create headaches for our companies because of the extra time needed.' Mr Mulvihill cited additional costs from shelf-life issues; the requirement to carry greater stock levels; as well as more fuel and labour.'
