Demand for Rail Freight Soars

19 September 2024

IWT introduce two new services from Dublin Port to Ballina

As part of the company’s ambitious Rail Freight strategy, Iarnród Éireann has introduced two new services from Dublin Port to Ballina to meet the ever-growing demand for rail freight. Operated by IWT (International Warehousing and Transport), the two additional services are operated by 12 new refurbished pocket wagons.

The pocket wagons, or Low Floor Container Wagons, are owned by Iarnród Éireann. They have been extensively refurbished to create additional capacity on the network while Iarnród Éireann pursues purchasing a new fleet of wagons to meet future demand for rail freight services as part of its future strategy.

These two extra services bring the number of services operated by IWT between Dublin Port and Ballina to seven. They offer a frequent, sustainable logistics option for companies moving goods from Dublin Port to the west of Ireland. Each 12-wagon train takes 24 trucks off the road, easing congestion, reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the shortage of HGV drivers that the Irish haulage industry currently experiences.

The Iarnród Éireann rail freight strategy will see a significant increase in rail freight services. The strategy encompasses further rail connectivity at Ireland’s key sea ports, the development of new strategic inland hubs, purchasing additional fleet, and re-opening  certain rail lines as part of the All--Island Strategic Rail Review. This will commence with the introduction of new freight services from 2026 on the Shannon Foynes line, which will offer rail freight services to a myriad of new customers.

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.”

 This Government is already demonstrating its commitment to investing in the growth of rail freight. The Foynes rail freight line rehabilitation project, to restore the rail connection between Limerick City and Foynes Port, is currently under construction and is on track to open for freight services in 2026.

 We have also recently published the final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which lays out a long-term vision for the rail network on the island, including infrastructure related to rail freight, particularly along the Western and Southern Rail corridors, connecting to major ports along the way. All of this will enable the continued growth of rail freight in the years ahead, in line with Government policy.”

Speaking at the commencement of the new service, Glenn Carr, Director of Commercial Business Units with Iarnród Éireann, 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 We are delighted to welcome new customers and look forward to further expansion of our business in the months and years ahead as we continue the role out of our ambitious rail freight strategy.”

Derek Darcy, Director IWT Global Solutions said:

“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.

IWT believes that as demand continues to grow, investment in rail infrastructure and the introduction of new services will be essential. The company's commitment to intermodal transport ensures that we provide our customers with flexible, reliable, and sustainable solutions to meet their freight needs. We look forward to collaborating with Iarnród Éireann and other key stakeholders in the continued development of Ireland's rail freight network.

As we expand our services, IWT is confident that rail will increasingly become a vital component of Ireland's transport ecosystem, offering competitive advantages to businesses while significantly lowering the carbon footprint of freight movements.”