{"id":86676,"date":"2026-02-12T20:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/891904372"},"modified":"2026-02-12T20:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:51:14","slug":"heysham-to-northern-ireland-freight-link-secured-for-next-55-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/heysham-to-northern-ireland-freight-link-secured-for-next-55-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Heysham to Northern Ireland freight link secured for next 55 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), Northern Ireland\u2019s third-largest port, has signed a landmark 55-year operating agreement with CLdN, one of Europe\u2019s leading short sea shipping and multimodal logistics operators.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>The long-term contract represents a significant investment in CLdN\u2019s future operations at Warrenpoint and underlines the strategic importance of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/topic\/irish-sea\" data-vars-event=\"gaEvent\" data-vars-ec=\"navigation\" data-vars-ea=\"in article - outbound\" data-vars-el=\"\/topic\/irish-sea\">Irish Sea<\/a> corridor, with 95% of all consumer goods to the island arriving by sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>Under the agreement, CLdN is enabled to operate its high-frequency RoRo freight service between Warrenpoint and Heysham, handling some 125,000 freight units and trade cars annually.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>This strong two-way trade provides a resilient and reliable supply chain for manufacturers, distributors, and logistics operators across Ireland and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/topic\/great-britain\" data-vars-event=\"gaEvent\" data-vars-ec=\"navigation\" data-vars-ea=\"in article - outbound\" data-vars-el=\"\/topic\/great-britain\">Great Britain<\/a>, extending onwards to global markets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-grVGCS cIpaMU metroArticleImage\" data-testid=\"image-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"sc-afnQL eOhTXh\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/webimg\/b25lY21zOmUxNDA2NTMyLWEzMGEtNDY3Yi1hY2JlLTUxNmZiYmZhZDM5ZjplZmE1OTM0Ny0yNjg5LTRlMGItOWUzNS0xNmU0ODNkNTYzZDQ=.jpg?crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim&width=640&quality=65&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, 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https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/webimg\/b25lY21zOmUxNDA2NTMyLWEzMGEtNDY3Yi1hY2JlLTUxNmZiYmZhZDM5ZjplZmE1OTM0Ny0yNjg5LTRlMGItOWUzNS0xNmU0ODNkNTYzZDQ=.jpg?crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim&width=640&quality=65&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/webimg\/b25lY21zOmUxNDA2NTMyLWEzMGEtNDY3Yi1hY2JlLTUxNmZiYmZhZDM5ZjplZmE1OTM0Ny0yNjg5LTRlMGItOWUzNS0xNmU0ODNkNTYzZDQ=.jpg?crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim&width=640&quality=65&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/webimg\/b25lY21zOmUxNDA2NTMyLWEzMGEtNDY3Yi1hY2JlLTUxNmZiYmZhZDM5ZjplZmE1OTM0Ny0yNjg5LTRlMGItOWUzNS0xNmU0ODNkNTYzZDQ=.jpg?crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim&width=640&quality=65&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/webimg\/b25lY21zOmUxNDA2NTMyLWEzMGEtNDY3Yi1hY2JlLTUxNmZiYmZhZDM5ZjplZmE1OTM0Ny0yNjg5LTRlMGItOWUzNS0xNmU0ODNkNTYzZDQ=.jpg?crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim&width=640&quality=65&ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), Northern Ireland\u2019s third-largest port, has signed a landmark 55-year operating agreement with CLdN, one of Europe\u2019s leading short sea shipping and multimodal logistics operators.\" height=\"569\" width=\"854\"><span class=\"responsive-img-fallback responsive-img-hidden\"><img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/img\/placeholder.jpg?ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"placeholder\" alt=\"placeholder image\" width=\"288\" height=\"185\"><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-kngDgl bCKLjM image-caption\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), Northern Ireland\u2019s third-largest port, has signed a landmark 55-year operating agreement with CLdN, one of Europe\u2019s leading short sea shipping and multimodal logistics operators.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>The service supports the movement of a wide range of manufactured goods, including machinery from the Mid Ulster quarrying sector, aerospace components such as Spirit AeroSystems\u2019 tail fin assemblies, food products, and other non-perishable items.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>CLdN traffic accounts for a significant portion of Warrenpoint Harbour\u2019s annual tonnage, highlighting the strength of the partnership and the strategic importance of the Warrenpoint\u2013Heysham route. The agreement took effect on January 1 this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>David Holmes, chief executive, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said: \u201cThis long-term partnership with CLdN reflects the strength of our relationship and the critical role Warrenpoint plays as a gateway for trade between Ireland, Great Britain, and global markets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>&#8220;The service is a key catalyst for local, regional, and shared island commerce, strengthening connectivity, driving economic growth and supporting marine resilience outside of Dublin and Belfast. The agreement provides both long-term certainty for the Port, our customers, and the wider logistics ecosystem and an opportunity to reinvest dividends to support the long-term development of the Port and the services it provides under our Trust Port status.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>Florent Maes, chief executive officer, CLdN added: &#8220;We are delighted to sign this renewed operating agreement with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. This provides long-term visibility for CLdN to further develop the route between Warrenpoint and Heysham and additional flexibility to expand our operating footprint and services at the port.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>&#8220;The Warrenpoint-Heysham service is an essential one for trade between Great Britain and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lancasterguardian.co.uk\/topic\/northern-ireland\" data-vars-event=\"gaEvent\" data-vars-ec=\"navigation\" data-vars-ea=\"in article - outbound\" data-vars-el=\"\/topic\/northern-ireland\">Northern Ireland<\/a> and an integral part of our strategic focus on the Irish Sea trades. We look forward to developing our presence in Warrenpoint and to serving customers there for many years to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Markup__ParagraphWrapper-sc-13q6ywe-0 cFkzoK markup \" data-testid=\"article-content article-paragraph\">\n<p>CLdN strengthened its Irish Sea capabilities in 2022 through the acquisition of Seatruck Ferries Ltd and currently employs some 50 staff at Warrenpoint Port.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><button id=\"continue-reading-btn\"> <\/button><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; Europe\u00e2\u0080\u0099s leading short sea <span class=\"match\">shipping<\/span> and multimodal logistics operators. &#8230; its high-frequency RoRo <span class=\"match\">freight<\/span> service between Warrenpoint and &#8230; handling some 125,000 <span class=\"match\">freight<\/span> units and trade cars &#8230; \u00e2\u0080\u0099s leading short sea <span class=\"match\">shipping<\/span> and multimodal logistics operators. &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86676\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}