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-Currently there are a lack of established sea routes that could accommodate direct trade with mainland Europe. Though the direct shipping routes could be both time and cost effective post-Brexit, there is currently no in-depth research that can confirm this. Detailed cost and time comparisons between various transit routes with mainland Europe could increase the private sector interest in using direct shipping routes, and reduce the overall logistics costs.
-Increased direct shipping volumes with mainland Europe could require major reorientation in services and initial infrastructure investment. Further analysis is required to assess the infrastructural ability to accommodate the switch from road to direct shipping routes.
Because of their historical connections, Ireland and the UK have similar tastes in products and common brand
awareness. In post-Brexit Europe, products imported from the UK will face additional tariffs and, therefore, will become significantly more expensive compared to the EU products. This may provide an opportunity for Irish exporters to replace British products with European ones. The Irish Government and Enterprise Ireland have created a Brexit SME Scorecard; the use of the assessment tool is free of charge and is specially designed for Irish companies to prepare for the post-Brexit market.
Brexit causes uncertainty over Ireland’s post-Brexit trade and logistics patterns. Though the possible change carries several risks, including the probable increase of operational costs, Brexit also offers an opportunity for the Irish trade and supply chain to improve the direct relationship with the European markets and supply chains.
Lilita Zelca is a logistics and supply chain expert with field experience in Ireland, The Netherlands and Hong Kong. Lilita currently works in IT strategic sourcing where she looks to optimise business and supply chain processes via strategic procurement and allocation of IT resources.
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INDUSTRY