Ferry companies connecting Ireland with France are opening new crossing routes in order to avoid red tape and delays that were caused by Brexit.
In early-February 2021, Brittany Ferries announced additional routes between Ireland and France. They connect Rosslare Ireland with Cherbourg France and Cobh-Cork Ireland with Roscoff France. Crossings commenced on February 4.
Meanwhile, Stena Line started a new weekend line between Cherbourg and Dublin Ireland. The company said it was trialing the route and trying to reorganize its sailings to meet the rise in demand.
The number of ferry crossings between Europe and Rosslare Europort (the closest to mainland-Europe) has more than quadrupled in comparison with 2020.
Passing through the UK is the cheapest and fastest route connecting France and Ireland. However, companies are currently avoiding it because of regulatory checks and increased bureaucracy around customs.
Corsica Ferries will operate a new service between England, Ireland, and Cherbourg France, as a consequence of the drop in traffic in the Mediterranean caused by the COVID crisis, and the need for new routes in the Irish Sea that was caused by Brexit.
Corsica Ferries' Mega Express Four ship arrived in Dublin Ireland last week. The ferry will be used to connect Ireland with Britain during the week. It will be chartered by Irish Ferries in order to connect Dublin with Cherbourg at the weekend.