Port of Cork traffic falls due to loss of cruise business

Increase in traffic direct to the continent as a result of Brexit

Container traffic through the Port of Cork increased last year as shippers sought direct routes to the EU avoiding the UK landbridge. Picture: Larry Cummins

Total traffic through the Port of Cork last year fell by 2% to 9.2 million tonnes, which the company has blamed on the impact of Covid-19 and the cancellation of cruise calls in particular.

Overall container traffic reached 250,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit), an increase of 4% due to demand from customers for direct routes to the European continent. In April CLdN began a roll-on roll-off freight service between Cork and Zeebrugge. This route subsequently increased to twice weekly, highlighting the demand for direct freight links to the EU, as shippers look to avoid the uncertainty surrounding the UK land bridge as consequence of Brexit.