'Fantastic strategic development' New service connecting Port of Cork and US begins

A new weekly cargo service from Cork to the US has commenced operations.

ICL’s Independent Vision arrived into Ringaskiddy on Saturday to begin the service, which is the first direct container service to the US in many years.

As part of the new service, ICL vessels will sail from the Port of Cork every Saturday, arriving on the East Coast of the USA 10 days later, offering Irish exporters fast delivery times for their supply chains.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Port of Cork CEO Brendan Keating said the Port of Cork is delighted with the opportunity to work with ICL and support this new direct route to the US.

“The timing is perfect with the opening of our new €80m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy on the horizon, and has the potential to grow cargo volumes from and to Ireland,” he said.

“This is a fantastic strategic development for the Port of Cork as we look to develop Ringaskiddy as a modern logistics hub.”

CEO of ICL John Kirkland said that Ireland had been a market which the company has been keen to develop for a while.

“We sincerely hope the Irish trade support this commitment by ICL, to bring Ireland its first direct weekly service to the USA East Coast. We look forward to working with the Port of Cork with their exciting expansion plans,” he said.

ICL has been serving the North Atlantic trade for 35 years.

Its USA headquarters is located in Richmond, Virginia since 1985, while its European headquarters is located in Antwerp, Belgium.