Direct ocean freight services between the island of Ireland and North America are expected to start next month. The service, which will operate between Belfast Harbour, Montreal and Baltimore, is being planned by US-based firm, Trans Atlantic Liner Services (TALS).
At present all ship-bound exports to North America are first trans-shipped to larger GB and northern European ports before being transferred to larger vessels for the journey across the Atlantic. This indirect service adds to exporters’ costs and increases the length of shipping times. The new route could cut trans-Atlantic journey times by up to seven days.
The service is anticipated to begin next month, initially once per month, but with the option to increase frequency to twice per month depending upon demand. It’s expected that it will be used primarily by manufacturers of large equipment for the North American market, but will also be open to container, roll-on / roll-off and other break bulk and project cargoes. The return route via Antwerp is being marketed to North American exporters and locally based importers.
Peter Bouwhuis, President of TALS, said:
“This new service will provide the only direct ocean freight link to the island’s biggest markets outside the European Union. Delays and costs incurred by indirect shipping routes via GB ports and Continental Europe have put local companies at a competitive disadvantage.
“Manufacturing companies, in particular, have been calling for some time now for a direct service to avoid logistical bottlenecks in GB and European ports. It’s our hope though that the service will appeal to a wide range of sectors and even encourage non exporters to reconsider the opportunities that a direct link from Ireland brings.
“We’re also speaking to a number of firms in Great Britain, especially in Scotland, who are keen to explore alternatives to the existing trans-Atlantic hubs in GB and the Continent.”
TALS has entered into a partner / service agreement with BBC-Chartering which operates more than 140 multi-purpose freight vessels across the world. The new Belfast service will link into existing BBC-Chartering routes from Baltimore to Houston and South America.
Apart from reducing costs and transit times the new service will also minimise the risk of damage to goods as there will be no need to transfer cargoes between feeder services. The new direct route will also give firms the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprints.
Welcoming the proposals, Roy Adair, CEO of Belfast Harbour, said:
“The prospect of Belfast hosting the island’s only direct freight service to North America is something which we have been trying to facilitate for several years. This is obviously excellent news, not just for Northern Ireland, but the whole island, particularly given the dramatic improvement in cross-border road links in recent years.
“Manufacturing is still fundamentally important to the economy and a direct link to North America with onward connections to South America will help firms compete more effectively. Although these are difficult days for businesses, the weakness of sterling has given exporters a boost in recent months. This is another great opportunity for local firms and I trust they’ll make the most of it.”
TALS has opened offices in Belfast and appointed a General Manager, Gerry McKaig, who can be contacted at Ireland@transals.com.
