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Two more trains take to Ireland’s rails

[ September 23, 2024   //   ]

Irish rail operator Iarnród Éireann has introduced two new container services from Dublin Port to Ballina operated in partnership with IWT (International Warehousing and Transport), using 12 low-floor pocket wagons.

The wagons have been extensively refurbished to create additional capacity on the network while Iarnród Éireann pursues the purchase of a new fleet of wagons. The Irish government is committed to a plan to significantly increase freight on the country’s rail network.

The two extra services bring the number of services operated by IWT between Dublin Port and Ballina to seven and offer a frequent, sustainable logistics option for moving goods to the west of Ireland.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, said: “These new services show that rail freight can provide for the efficient movement of goods across the country and support us in meeting our decarbonisation goals. It also shows that there is real appetite for rail freight from major industrial companies. Ireland’s use of rail freight is low in comparison to the use of rail freight across Europe. But this can and will change. Without rail freight we cannot expect to decarbonise our transport system.”

Iarnród Éireann director of commercial business units, Glenn Carr, said: “The introduction of these two new services is further testament to the ever-growing demand for rail freight in Ireland. The immediate take up of these services demonstrates the increasing role that rail will play in supporting industry decarbonise their freight transport footprint and support an efficient intermodal solution to their supply chains.”

IWT director of global solutions, Derek Darcy, added: “IWT welcomes the expansion of rail freight services between Dublin Port and Ballina, recognizing that these new services will play a crucial role in addressing the logistical challenges faced by the freight sector in Ireland. As the leading operator of intermodal rail freight services in the country, IWT sees this expansion as a necessary step in supporting the decarbonization of the Irish logistics industry.

“The addition of two new services will provide greater capacity for our customers, allowing them to move goods efficiently while reducing road congestion and contributing to Ireland’s environmental goals. Each train service offered by IWT not only replaces the equivalent of 24 trucks on the road but also improves operational efficiency through the integrated use of rail and road transport. “

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