21st October 2026

Southern Corridor Ports Surcharge Implementation 2027

Dear customer,

We would like to thank you for your continued partnership and trust in Irish Ferries for your shipping and logistics needs. Our commitment remains to provide reliable, efficient, and cost-effective services across all routes.

As we prepare for 2027, we wish to give you early notice of proposed increases in external port charges that may affect Southern Corridor pricing. The relevant commercial discussions are ongoing, and we are sharing the information presently available so that customers have appropriate forward visibility without implying that the final outcome has been determined.

Rosslare Europort – proposed changes to 2027 port charges

Rosslare Europort has indicated further substantial proposed increases in freight-related port charges for 2027. If implemented as currently proposed, these would add approximately €13 per unaccompanied unit and €5 per accompanied unit. Irish Ferries is actively engaging with the Port and relevant stakeholders to challenge the scale of the proposed increases and seek a more proportionate outcome.

For context, freight-related port charges have increased on a sustained basis since 2022. On the Port’s current proposals for the period to 2029, the cumulative increase across freight categories would be approximately 55% over seven years.

The table below shows the proposed cumulative euro increase from 2022 to 2029 across the principal freight categories, without disclosing the underlying commercial rates. The figures remain subject to the outcome of the current negotiations.

Freight category Proposed cumulative increase, 2022–2029

Laden Artic +37%

Empty Artic +195%

Laden Drop +59%

Empty Drop +241%

It is also important to recognise that Rosslare represents only one element of the overall cost base and does not include expected increases in Pembroke Port as well as Irish Ferries own budgetary requirements.

Irish Ferries is continuing to challenge the scale and structure of the proposed increases and is engaging with Rosslare Europort, the IRHA and other relevant stakeholders. Our objective is to secure a fair, transparent and proportionate charging outcome that supports the long-term competitiveness of the Southern Corridor.

However, it is important that we are realistic about the wider position: neither Irish Ferries nor any other ferry operator can sustainably absorb cost increases of this scale.

These costs ultimately must be recovered through the rates charged for the service.

This new surcharge will appear on your invoicing as a separate line item, described as “Southern Corridor Ports Surcharge”.

We will continue to inform you how negotiations are being conducted and what the final charge structure will likely be.

We appreciate your continued support of our services and understanding in this matter.

Yours sincerely, Irish Ferries Freight