UK government confirms £17 million package to protect freight routes to Northern Ireland

Vital ferry routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been safeguarded, thanks to a multi-million-pound government scheme to help ensure critical freight can continue to move into and across the union.

The package, worth up to £17 million (US$21.11 million), is being funded by the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive and will be made available to operators so that they can continue running freight services on five sea routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, April 24, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that further funding, worth tens of millions of pounds, will also be made available to support more routes across the UK, subject to discussions with operators.