Warrenpoint proves import-ance of seaborne freight

A RAMP-UP in the volume of goods passing through one of Northern Ireland’s biggest ports has reinforced the importance of seaborne trade.

Warrenpoint Port said it handled a record 3.6million tonnes of cargo in 2018 – 12% of all our seaborne trade.

Port chief Clare Guinness said much of the rise can be attributed to the success of the roll-on, roll-off freight service – the deployment by Seatruck Ferries of two larger freight vessels on the key Warrenpoint to Heysham route in direct response to growing demand for unaccompanied trailer space – as well as a wider range of bulk goods.

It handles everything from timber, steel, animal feed, and cement and deals with imports to and exports from countries and regions across the world including Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine and the Americas.

Last year the port also made several major investments during the year including more than £3million on the purchase of a new crane and the refurbishment of two others. It intends to continue investing in the coming year. Ms Guinness added: “As we look towards further growth in 2019 and beyond, we have plans to continue our investment programme over the coming months as we aim to improve port infrastructure, plant and equipment.

“This will allow us to be more flexible, more efficient and open up more space.”