Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), Northern Ireland’s third-largest port, has signed a landmark 55-year operating agreement with CLdN, one of Europe’s leading short sea shipping and multimodal logistics operators.
The long-term contract represents a significant investment in CLdN’s future operations at Warrenpoint and underlines the strategic importance of the Irish Sea corridor, with 95% of all consumer goods to the island arriving by sea.
Under the agreement, CLdN is enabled to operate its high-frequency RoRo freight service between Warrenpoint and Heysham, handling some 125,000 freight units and trade cars annually. This strong two-way trade provides a resilient and reliable supply chain for manufacturers, distributors, and logistics operators across Ireland and Great Britain, extending onwards to global markets.
The service supports the movement of a wide range of manufactured goods, including machinery from the Mid Ulster quarrying sector, aerospace components such as Spirit AeroSystems’ tail fin assemblies, food products, and other non-perishable items.
CLdN traffic accounts for a significant portion of Warrenpoint Harbour’s annual tonnage, highlighting the strength of the partnership and the strategic importance of the Warrenpoint–Heysham route. The agreement took effect on 1 January 2026.
Commenting on the announcement, David Holmes, Chief Executive, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority said: “This long-term partnership with CLdN reflects the strength of our relationship and the critical role Warrenpoint plays as a gateway for trade between Ireland, Great Britain, and global markets. The service is a key catalyst for local, regional, and shared island commerce, strengthening connectivity, driving economic growth and supporting marine resilience outside of Dublin and Belfast. The agreement provides both long-term certainty for the Port, our customers, and the wider logistics ecosystem and an opportunity to reinvest dividends to support the long-term development of the Port and the services it provides under our Trust Port status.”
Florent Maes, Chief Executive Officer, CLdN added: “We are delighted to sign this renewed operating agreement with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. This provides long-term visibility for CLdN to further develop the route between Warrenpoint and Heysham and additional flexibility to expand our operating footprint and services at the port. The Warrenpoint-Heysham service is an essential one for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and an integral part of our strategic focus on the Irish Sea trades. We look forward to developing our presence in Warrenpoint and to serving customers there for many years to come.”
CLdN strengthened its Irish Sea capabilities in 2022 through the acquisition of Seatruck Ferries Ltd and currently employs some 50 staff at Warrenpoint Port. CLdN’s unaccompanied short sea shipping business is supported by local haulage companies which play a vital role moving unaccompanied trailers between the Port and the wider regional supply chains.
The Chair of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Dr Gerard O’Hare CBE DL expressed his thanks to the Executives in both organisations whom he said had worked diligently for some months to bring this tremendous vote of confidence in Warrenpoint as a trading Port of the future. He added that it will help to continue the Port’s important economic impact both locally and to the Northern Ireland economy.