The Port of Dunkirk in France are looking to establish new trade links with Ireland and are said to be interested in creating new freight routes to Cork and Waterford.
The Journal reports that executives from the Port of Dunkirk were in Dublin this week to discuss trade links.
Brexit has resulted in more paperwork and cost for hauliers who transport goods from Europe to Ireland via Great Britain, with the Port in the north of France keen to create direct links with Ireland to avoid this.
It's understood management plan to trial pilot routes before committing to permanent routes.
Speaking to RedFM News, reporter with The Journal, Eoghan Dalton says Brexit has been the main driver of the plan.
"I was speaking to Daniel Deschodt the Deputy Chief Executive of Port of Dunkirk for the Journal, he was explaining that the decision that they're making around expanding into Ireland and looking at the likes of Cork and Waterford, has been pushed by Brexit.
"What he said is that they feel that they have underestimated the Irish market and the volume of cargo leaving Ireland going to continental Europe and vice versa."
