Further growth for Rosslare Europort as Finnlines expands service to Belgium

Finnlines is expanding its Rosslare Europort to Zeebrugge service by adding a second roll-on/roll-off vessel. The MS Lismore will join the MS Finnwave on the route from May 28 under a charter agreement. The expansion is attributed to growing customer demand and aims to increase capacity and flexibility by adding frequency. The Rosslare–Zeebrugge service, established in 2022, supports Irish industry and provides broader connections through transshipment in Zeebrugge to markets including Finland, Poland, the UK, Spain, and the Grimaldi Group network. The two ships offer 4,076 and 4,192 lane metres respectively, accommodating about 260 trailers and up to 12 drivers. Terminal cooperation in Rosslare and Zeebrugge enables the operational efficiency needed for additional calls.

"Finnlines has announced a major expansion of their service between Wexford and Zeebrügge in Belgium, adding a second roll-on/roll-off vessel to the route. The Finnish company says that the expansion has come amid "growing customer demand" and the MS Lismore will join the MS Finnwave on the route from May 28, on a charter agreement."

"Having been established in 2022, Finnlines' Rosslare-Zeebrügge service has proved a successful one, serving as an important trade link to the continent for Irish industry. Through transhipment in Zeebrügge, the service also connects Ireland with Finland, Poland, the UK, Spain and the wider Grimaldi Group network."

"The MV Lismore has a cargo capacity for 4,076 lane metres, while the MV Finnwave offers 4,192 lane metres. Combined, the two ships can accommodate approximately 260 trailers and up to 12 drivers. "We have seen steadily increasing demand on our Ireland-Belgium service and are pleased to offer our customers greater capacity and flexibility," says Umberto Raimo, Deputy Line Manager at Finnlines."

""By adding a second vessel and increasing the frequency, we are further strengthening our service for both the Irish and European markets." Traffic Manager at Finnlines, Juha Anjala, says that the expansion was only made possible through the close cooperation with the terminals in Rosslare and Zeebrügge, vowing that "the efficiency of our operations will certainly be extended to our third call in each port"."

Read at Irish Independent