Member

As a result of this SI, any increase in maritime operating costs will flow directly through the entire Northern Ireland economy. Initial estimates suggest that compliance could increase freight costs by around £15 per trailer. If we look at the thousands of freight movements each week, there will be a roughly 6% increase in average freight costs. Those costs will simply not remain with shipping operators; they will ultimately be passed on via higher export costs for Northern Ireland businesses—including our haulage firms, which have been doing a brilliant job—increased supply chain costs and higher prices for consumers.