STATEMENT ON STENA LINE COMMENTS OVER BORDER CHECKS

BBC News: Ports plan for Brexit Irish Sea checks By Faisal Islam – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51351677

Commenting on concerns raised by Stena Line’s Ian Hampton in report by the BBC’s Faisal Islam, Eluned Morgan AM has said that new procedures and checks on good between Wales and Ireland risk making transporting goods to Europe via what is known as the land bridge through the UK “less attractive”.

Eluned Morgan AM said: “As we enter the transition period, for many of us, very little changes. However, if we look at freight transport and how ferry operators are planning services, we can see much is changing.  Brittany Ferries is strengthening their position between Ireland and continental Europe moving operations to Rosslare from Cork, and a new service is launching from Cork to mainland Europe later this year too.

“If we don’t get a sensible outcome in our future trade deal with the EU, then additional checks will make moving goods across the Irish Sea less attractive.  Of course, that has the potential to have a knock on for our Welsh ports such as Pembroke Dock and Fishguard for which freight is a major source of revenue and ensures ferry routes to Rosslare are sustainable all year round.

“My focus now is to ensure that we get the best deal to protect and support Welsh businesses.  Many Welsh companies have built up good commercial relationships with Ireland over the last few decades.  Having the infrastructure in place and the operators to get our goods out will remain vitally important as the shape of the trade deal becomes apparent.”