Cork-based ferry operator Hibernia Line has officially launched a new year-round service connecting Ringaskiddy in Cork with Boulogne-sur-Mer in France, offering freight operators and hauliers an additional direct route between Ireland and mainland Europe outside of the UK land bridge.

According to the Irish Maritime Development Office, the new service will create up to 250 jobs across Ireland and France, including crew positions and opportunities for cadets from the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy. The route will be operated using two vessels, the St Patrick, which holds 193 cabins, and the MV Akka, which holds 227, with a combined capacity of over 600 passengers per sailing. The journey typically takes around 21.5 hours.

Aidan Coffey, chief executive officer of Hibernia Line, said: "The direct Cork to Boulogne-sur-Mer service strengthens connectivity between Ireland and continental Europe, providing an additional option for freight and passenger transport. This new route will deliver regular, reliable services supporting trade, tourism and regional economic activity on both sides. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard for many years to come."

Coffey described the launch as an "important and proud milestone" for the operator, reflecting the significance of establishing a direct, year-round Cork-to-France connection for Irish freight and logistics operators.

The new route adds meaningful capacity to the direct Ireland-Europe corridor at a time when demand for alternatives to UK land bridge routing has grown considerably among Irish freight operators navigating post-Brexit customs requirements. A direct France connection from Cork provides hauliers and freight forwarders with a more predictable and administratively straightforward option for continental European movements.

For the Irish maritime sector, the Hibernia Line launch represents a significant addition to the country's direct sea connectivity with mainland Europe, strengthening Cork's position as a freight gateway and supporting regional economic activity across the south of Ireland.