Chris

There’s a number of very good reasons why direct ferry services between France and Ireland are so underdeveloped. Among them, there’s no time advantage because you land in Cherbourg and then have to drive across northern France to get to most European destinations. I suspect Irish freight headed for Spain or Portugal is already using the Dublin-Cherbourg route. These would be the only destinations for which it’s an advantage. Notwithstanding the new service DFDS is putting on I suspect there are far too few vessels suitable for a long route that could be brought into service any time soon. Plus, the major kicker, a lot of HGVs coming through the UK from Ireland will be dropping stuff off here before going on to the continent, and vice versa. It would be a major logistical headache for Irish pallet delivery companies to totally reorganise their businesses to avoid the UK unless essential, especially as the vast bulk of Irish exports go to the UK.