Irish Ferries has warned freight customers of a potential new surcharge on its Rosslare–Pembroke service in 2027, following proposals by Rosslare Europort to substantially increase freight-related port charges.
In a notice issued to customers on 21 October, the ferry operator confirmed that negotiations are continuing over the proposed increases, which could add approximately €13 per unaccompanied freight unit and €5 per accompanied freight unit.
The company says it is challenging the scale of the increases and is engaging with Rosslare Europort, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and other stakeholders in an effort to secure a more proportionate outcome.
However, Irish Ferries has made it clear that significant increases in port operating costs cannot be absorbed indefinitely and will ultimately have to be recovered through freight rates.
New Southern Corridor Ports Surcharge
Irish Ferries has confirmed that it intends to introduce a separately identified charge on freight invoices, to be known as the Southern Corridor Ports Surcharge.
The final amount has yet to be determined, with discussions between the ferry company, port authorities and industry representatives continuing.
The proposed increases relate specifically to freight-related port charges at Rosslare Europort, although Irish Ferries has warned that additional cost pressures are also expected at Pembroke Port in Wales.
The company has also pointed to its own operational and budgetary requirements as contributing factors to future freight pricing.
In its communication to customers, Irish Ferries stressed that the proposed figures are being provided to give operators advance warning ahead of their 2027 budgeting and contract negotiations.
Port charges could rise 55 per cent over seven years
Of particular concern to hauliers is the scale of the cumulative increases in freight-related port charges.
According to Irish Ferries, charges have been rising steadily since 2022, and current proposals covering the period to 2029 could result in cumulative increases of approximately 55 per cent across freight categories over seven years.
The ferry operator provided the following breakdown of proposed cumulative percentage increases between 2022 and 2029:
| Freight category | Proposed increase |
|---|---|
| Laden articulated vehicle | +37% |
| Empty articulated vehicle | +195% |
| Laden unaccompanied trailer | +59% |
| Empty unaccompanied trailer | +241% |
These figures relate to proposed changes in port charges, rather than equivalent increases in the total price of a ferry crossing.
Nevertheless, the particularly sharp increases proposed for empty articulated vehicles and unaccompanied trailers could be a significant concern for operators managing imbalanced freight flows between Ireland and Britain.
All figures remain subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations.
Further pressure on Irish haulage costs
The proposed surcharge comes at a difficult time for Irish road transport operators, many of whom are already dealing with volatile diesel prices, rising insurance premiums, vehicle maintenance costs, driver wages and increasing road tolls.
For hauliers regularly using the Rosslare–Pembroke route, even relatively modest additional charges can accumulate over the course of a year.
For example, an operator moving 20 accompanied freight units each week would face an additional annual cost of approximately €5,200 if a €5 increase were applied to every crossing over 52 weeks.
An operator moving 20 unaccompanied units weekly could face an additional €13,520 annually if the proposed €13 increase were passed through in full.
These are illustrative calculations based on the proposed port-charge increases, not confirmed ferry surcharge rates.
- Every key deadline: diesel rebate, fuel excise, carbon tax
- Tick-box checklist for tacho, CVRT, CPC & operator licence
- Where drivers get caught at RSA roadside checks
The impact could be particularly significant for operators working on fixed-price contracts where additional transport costs cannot easily be recovered from customers.
Southern Corridor competitiveness at stake
The Rosslare–Pembroke service remains an important freight connection between Ireland and Britain, particularly for operators serving southern Wales, the English Midlands and southern England.
The route provides an alternative to the busy Dublin–Holyhead corridor and plays a role in maintaining competition and capacity across Irish Sea freight services.
However, higher port charges and ferry costs could influence route selection, particularly where operators have the flexibility to move freight through alternative ports.
For hauliers, ferry pricing is only one element of the overall transport calculation. Journey times, road mileage, driver hours, fuel consumption, delivery schedules and port accessibility must also be considered.
Any significant increase in Southern Corridor costs could therefore have wider implications for Ireland’s freight connectivity and the competitiveness of businesses trading with Britain.
Irish Ferries engaging with IRHA
Irish Ferries has confirmed that it is actively engaging with the IRHA and other relevant stakeholders as discussions continue.
The company says its objective is to secure a fair, transparent and proportionate charging structure that supports the long-term competitiveness of the Southern Corridor.
It has also emphasised that the final outcome has not yet been agreed and that customers will be kept informed as negotiations progress.
The proposed surcharge raises a wider question for the Irish haulage industry: how much additional cost can operators absorb before they are forced to increase their own transport rates?
With many hauliers already operating on tight margins, further increases in ferry charges could add to pressure on freight rates and, ultimately, the cost of transporting goods between Ireland and Britain.
What should hauliers do now?
Operators using the Rosslare–Pembroke route should monitor developments closely as they prepare their 2027 budgets and negotiate freight contracts with customers.
Where possible, transport agreements should provide for the recovery of additional ferry charges, port surcharges and other externally imposed operating costs.
It may also be worthwhile reviewing the total cost of alternative Irish Sea routes, particularly for freight movements where delivery schedules allow flexibility.
For now, the proposed increases remain subject to negotiation.
However, the message from Irish Ferries is clear: higher port charges are likely to mean higher freight costs, and Irish hauliers may ultimately be left to pick up the bill.
Source: Irish Ferries Freight, Southern Corridor Ports Surcharge Implementation 2027, customer notice dated 21 October 2026.
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