Updated / Thursday, 22 Apr 2021
17:50
Routes between the Republic of Ireland and the EU now account for an 18% share of all island RoRo volumes
Changes in maritime traffic on the island of Ireland in the first three months of this year were described as significant and unprecedented by the Irish Marine Development Office.
In its first post-Brexit quarterly review of port volumes, the IMDO reported a 13% decline in so-called RoRo volumes compared to the first quarter of 2020.
RoRo refers to roll-on roll-off traffic on cargo ships that carry wheeled cargo, including trucks coming from the UK, the continent or other parts of the world.
RoRo Volumes on ROI – GB Routes Fall By 31% in Q1 Unitised Traffic Report 2021
22nd April 2021
RoRo volumes on ROI – GB routes fell significantly, by 31%, with a surge in ROI – EU traffic, which rose by 74%
In its first post-Brexit quarterly review of port volumes, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) offers an overview of maritime traffic on an all-island basis.
Commenting on key points in the report, Liam Lacey, Director of the IMDO said that there were significant and unprecedented changes in maritime traffic on the island of Ireland in the first three months of 2021. RoRo volumes in the Republic of Ireland declined by 13% compared to Q1 2020, while LoLo volumes rose by 11% for the same period.
Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joseph Woulfe has expressed concern about the latest slump in beef prices. Photograph by John Kelly
Concern Over Beef Price Slump
February 21, 2021
CLARE beef farmers look set to be hit by further decreases in the meat prices following claims by Meat Industry Ireland of increased export costs caused by Brexit.
Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe recalled prices began to increase after Christmas with heifers in one meat plant hitting €4 per kg.
At this stage farmers were beginning to hope that Teagasc’s break even figure of €4.40 per kg might be achievable.
However, without warning Mr Woulfe pointed out the price collapsed by 20 cent, which has prompted fears of a return to the 2019 factory protest price of €3.65.
Meat processors representatives have highlighted increases in export costs of up to 40pc due to the loss of frictionless trade caused by Brexit, in a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine
The comments come as winter finishers were hit with a shock 10c cut to beef quotes this week on top a 5c cut last week.
However, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) told the committee that increased costs due to new Customs and sanitary/phytosanitary (SPS) processes, delays and disruption in logistics and direct transport cost increases were impacting the industry.
Whilst the increase in direct sailings to Continental Europe has helped provide exporters with an alternative to the UK Landbridge, MII says that it costs between €500 and €800 extra per truck to send exports to Continental Europe direct.