Irish port volumes steadily rising but still lower than last year

​The quantity of goods passing through Irish ports from the UK remains around half of what it was this time last year, nearly four weeks after the Brexit transition period came to an end. 

At a briefing at Dublin Port this afternoon, officials from a range of state departments and agencies said volumes remained below what had been expected. 

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"It is a concern," Eddie Burke from the Department of Transport said. 

"But there was record levels of stockpiling before Christmas and undoubtedly some of that is still there, it is still in play. Also we've seen an increase in direct services (to the continent) - a huge increase in direct services," he said.

Mr Burke said this explained part of the problem. "But there is though, from what we are hearing, still goods stuck in the UK, in GB that are trying to get across, and haven’t been able to get across yet," he added. 

Tom Talbot, the Head of Revenue’s Customs Operations at Dublin Port, said volumes have been steadily increasing.   He said in the 24 hour period to yesterday morning, the quantity of goods passing through Irish ports from the UK was up 18% compared to the same period last week.   Since January 1, there have been 14,000 inbound freight movements across 282 ferries, he added. 

He said around 79% of goods continue to be green routed on arrival, because their paperwork has been properly prepared and submitted in advance, with 15% orange routed for follow up and 6% red routed. 

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