Port of Moerdijk expands with a first shortsea connection to Ireland. The second container port in the Netherlands joins forces with BG Freight Line. That shipping company starts on September 8 with a direct service between Moerdijk and Dublin.
“This new step fits in with our ambition to grow as a shortsea Port,” says Annette van Ketel, Commercial Manager Logistics at Port of Moerdijk. “We connect the European hinterland with numerous European seaports. We already have beautiful coastal connections on Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Norway and via Oslo with the Baltic States and are proud to be able to add Ireland to the list.”
Koert Luitwieler is CEO of BG Freight Line and Shipping Director of PeelPorts, which has a terminal in Dublin. He says “ ” We are delighted with this new service which will ensure the direct supply chain between Moerdijk and Dublin. We are convinced that the service will add a lot of value to both the local businesses in the Moerdijk area and the hinterland, such as Germany and Italy.”
“In Dublin, we sail on our own terminal, Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL), which avoids delays in the chain as much as possible.” The new service calls Moerdijk every Thursday before arriving in Dublin on Sunday.
Combined Cargo Terminals, the mooring company in Moerdijk where rail, inland waterways and shortsea meet, is also pleased with the cooperation. CCT director Luc Smits: “the new service on Ireland has further strengthened the capabilities of the existing shortsea and rail operators and allows the existing shipping companies to book containers together. Containers from Spain, for example, can now also pass through our terminal in Moerdijk to Ireland. This further collaboration makes Moerdijk a shortsea hotspot.”
