Freight war
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THE NEW Wales to Cork freight service run by Welsh-Irish Ferries has started amid reports of an impending freight war.
The roll-on/roll-off service links Barry and Ringaskiddy in Cork's lower harbour on a three-timesweekly basis and is currently the only direct sea freight link between Britain and Ireland exCork.
Welsh-Irish Ferries was started by a consortium of Welsh exporters and shippers and has the backing of the Welsh Development Authority which owns 29 per cent of the company's shares. The company has two Irish directors, Paddy Barry, Barry's Coaches, Cork and Des Morrissey, representing the company's Cork agents, R. A. Burke Ltd.
Meanwhile, according to local reports, a freight war is developing in the wake of 13+1's pull-out from the port. There were signs that a cut-throat battle for the freight business has already begun as 13+I's Dublin headquarters actively canvassed local exporters and importers for lists of their customers in the UK.
"Having abandoned the port, they are now trying to corner the local market by shipping freight out of any other port, but Cork," complained one local businessman, "They're trying to have their cake and eat it."
A spokesman in the freight department of B+I claimed it was "irrelevant" which Irish port ,handled the business as long as customers got the cheapest and fastest service between the factory and the market-place.
He described the freight market in Ireland as "shrinking at a frightening rate" and strenuously denied that the semi-state company had abandoned Cork.
B+I scrapped its Cork-Pembroke ferry service last January in an attempt to cut mounting losses. The company has, however, agreed to re-introduce a service for the peak tourist traffic from June 16. It is understood that the company will also be carrying freight during this period.