**Dublin**: Five years post-Brexit, Ireland sees a 13% rise in exports despite challenges, driven by innovative solutions from Europa Worldwide Group. Their Dublin operations aim to enhance trading efficiency, addressing the complexities of the new trading landscape and expanding quickly in response to increasing demand.
Five years after Brexit, Britain remains a significant trading partner for Ireland, with substantial growth observed in Irish exports despite some challenges. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has reported a remarkable increase of 13 per cent in Irish exports during the first ten months of 2024 compared to the previous year. While exports to the EU showed a slight decline, trade with countries such as mainland Europe and the USA has surged, indicating a dynamic adaptation to the new trading environment.
In response to this evolving landscape, Europa Worldwide Group, one of Britain’s largest independent freight providers, has invested over €1 million in its operations in Ireland. The company has established a local team at Dublin Airport Central, equipped with the necessary skills to assist Irish businesses navigating the complexities imposed by Brexit. Elliott Watts, the Dublin Branch Manager, highlighted the transformative impact Brexit has had on trade logistics, stating, “Brexit completely changed the way the Republic of Ireland trades with the UK and, importantly, how freight moves through the UK to mainland Europe.”
To enhance trading efficiency, Europa has launched its flagship service, Europa Flow, accessible to Irish exporters since June of last year. This service employs innovative strategies including Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), postponed VAT accounting, and anticipated declarations to streamline paperwork and lower costs while accelerating transit times. Elliott Watts noted, “Irish exporters are still experiencing the challenges of Brexit but as exports increase, times are changing.”
Since opening its Dublin office, the team has reported significant growth, expanding its customer base, more than doubling shipment volumes, and increasing total bookings by over 400 per cent. Plans are in place to relocate to a larger office by the end of the year, reflecting the demand for new services that facilitate the trading relationship between Ireland and the UK.
To further simplify trade, the Dublin team has introduced a dedicated linehaul service from Dublin to its Dartford hub in the UK. This daily service allows for a reliable shipping schedule that mitigates the previously inconvenient timing of sailings, which often occurred only once a week. Watts emphasised, “With our direct linehaul, we provide a daily service which means exporters can transport goods seamlessly to Great Britain and Europe.”
Adrian Redmile, Branch and Sales Director at Europa Road, expressed confidence in the Dublin team’s performance, saying, “Against a challenging backdrop, the Dublin team continues to go from strength to strength. This team is one of the newest additions to our branch network, but they have responded well to the changing trading landscape.”
The Irish Government’s statistics indicate that more than one-third of Irish exports are directed toward the UK market. Elliott Watts added that their services cater to various sectors, including agriculture, packaging, and engineering, ensuring time-sensitive shipments arrive punctually without unexpected costs. He remarked, “We take care of the customs ourselves and with teams set up in Ireland and the UK, our customers can relax knowing we have it in hand.”
As Europa Road celebrates its second anniversary, the team in Dublin continues to innovate and grow, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a fluctuating trade environment. The company’s extensive network across the UK and Ireland manages freight shipment processes effectively, positioning itself as a vital player in the European road freight market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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