Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, John Stewart MLA, has written to the Secretary of State highlighting the importance of keeping the supply routes between Northern Ireland and Great Britain open, in the light of continuing concerns about P&O operations on the Irish Sea.

John Stewart MLA, said:

“In terms of maintaining vital strategic ferry links to Great Britain, I am very concerned at what is a deeply worrying situation on the North Channel/ Irish sea and in particular the Port of Larne, in my constituency of East Antrim, and have written to the Secretary of State to outline my concerns.

“Last week a P&O Vessel was detained at Liverpool port, unable to sail to Dublin because of a sudden demand for payment by Peel Ports, effectively impounding its cargo, some of which was destined for Northern Ireland.

“This situation highlighted in the starkest possible terms, just how important transport links to Great Britain are for the health and wellbeing of Northern Ireland and its people. Vital supplies for the Health Service flow through Larne and Belfast, which are also  crucial supply routes for Northern Ireland`s shops and supermarkets.

“The Port of Larne in my East Antrim constituency, is privately owned- by P&O, or more accurately owned (since 2006) by DP World a public company financed by the government of the United Arab Emirates. I am particularly concerned at the situation at the Port of Larne, which is the shortest sea transport corridor for freight to and from GB.

“The big picture is that Northern Ireland PLC needs sea connectivity from all its commercial ports, including Warrenpoint, to ensure the safe supply of essential goods, not least medical supplies, which overwhelmingly come from the rest of the UK.  I am aware that almost all deliveries of medicines come from GB, and a significant amount  come into Larne.

“It is very clear to me that the Port of Larne- whose strategic transport importance as a main hub and a gateway is recognised in the Regional Development Strategy- needs some sort of UK National Government intervention to secure and maintain operations.  A critical level of ferry transport from NI to GB must be maintained.  The North Channel ferry link is of vital strategic importance for Northern Ireland right now and the Northern Ireland Executive needs to be working in partnership with Westminster to secure our ferry routes, maintain operations at the Port of Larne and intervene as necessary to keep vital supply lines between NI, GB, Europe and the rest of the world open.”