Half year 2021 update on Brexit
Update on Brexit Impact
Half a year on from Brexit, transport companies and authorities in UK, Ireland and on the Continent, are having to make substantial adjustments in order to keep traffic flowing. Irish Times reports (based on IMDO data) that ro-ro traffic between the Republic and the EU “roughly doubled in the first six months of this year”, now accounting for “one third of all ro-ro volumes for the Republic compared with a 17 per cent share in previous years”. In contrast, RORO freight between Ireland and Britain in the first half of the year decreased by about 30% compared to pre-Covid, pre-Brexit levels (2019). However, the Ireland-Britain ferry routes are still the busiest in terms of absolute volumes, and there has been a gradual return to the landbridge.
See also this article discussing the release of new port statistics by CSO.
From a UK perspective, the FT reports on the steps taken by the transport sector to avoid major congestion in UK ports. They cite a number of factors including (1) the stockpiling of goods pre Brexit, (2) efficient procedures in French ports, and (3) lower trade volumes, particularly amongst smaller businesses. They also report that the cost of a trailer-load between northwest UK and Belgium has increased from GBP500 to GBP1500 in one year. In the ports, the Covid impact has however meant that there is more parking space for trailers due to the loss of a great deal of tourist traffic.