Before its exit from the European Union, the United Kingdom was Ireland’s largest European trading partner, which it used as a The “land bridge” of its trade within the European Union. With the introduction of customs controls and costs between EU countries and the UK after Brexit, things have become so Change: Ireland trades more and more directly with European countries on the continent, without In addition to going to the UK.

Some are looking at the way Ireland’s maritime trade is changing first and foremost data: From January 2021 – when the UK completed its exit from the EU – to date, total tonnage at Dublin Port has fallen by 3.3 per cent, with a significant shift in the direction of exports. In fact, loads carried from Ireland to English ports (especially Liverpool, Holyhead and Hesham) decreased by 21.2 per cent, while loads transferred to European ports (mainly Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Cherbourg).

Before Brexit, nearly two-thirds of Irish exports were destined for the UK: today it is split halfway between the UK and mainland Europe, where traffic is expected to increase even more.

The growth of direct sea trade with European countries without going overland to the UK has also led Ireland to change the type of boats used to transport goods: before Brexit it used above all the so-called RO-RO . ships (Give rollingAnd rolling), that is, those that are passed by wagons, trucks and other wheeled vehicles loaded with goods, which, as soon as they reach their destination, unload and transport the loads. Before Brexit it was useful because it allowed transit English “land bridge” in a relatively short time (about 15 hours travel) before reaching Europe.

Now, with customs controls on English soil, Ireland is better off ‘bypassing’ the UK and getting to the European continent directly, albeit with a longer journey, and only by sea, than about 24 raw. So Ireland began to use more and more “LO-LO” ships (from raise onAnd Leaves), that is, those who have cranes on board, which load and unload goods at the ports of arrival and departure independently, without the need for vehicles.

Come He said the financial times Eamonn O’Reilly, a Dublin port manager, due to the greater travel distances once they reach European countries, LO-LO ships are much less expensive and easier: from January to September of this year, their use increased by 14 percent (and although it decreased, the use of ships RO-RO Yet it moved towards the European continent).

To adapt to these changes, Ireland is also adjusting and strengthening its ports: it will invest 1.6 billion euros in a 30-year expansion plan for the Dublin port, which, among other things, will expand the terminal dedicated to LO-LO, which is currently insufficient in terms of needs. Ireland in October It’s also opened A new stop at Dunkirk, France, as the main destination for a new route that will start not from Dublin Port but from Rosslare Port, which is further south and therefore has faster access to the European continent.

– Read also: The consequences of Britain’s exit from the European Union so far