The Irish Defence Forces will ship some 2,700 tonnes of equipment out to Chad by tonight.
In the largest logistical move ever undertaken by the Defence Forces, 100 vehicles and trailers and food and water for 400 people for four months will set sail from Dublin Port.
The cargo contains everything the troops serving with the Eufor Chad/CAR mission need to live and operate for four months, including weapons and ammunition, beds, air conditioning, toilets, a doctor's surgery, and night-vision equipment.
More than 175 containers will be loaded onto the MV Zeranat the North Quays, Dublin Port, throughout the day.
The ship is expected to sail overnight to the Netherlands and take on vehicles and equipment for 60 Dutch marines serving in Chad and arrive in Douala, Cameroon, between April 11th and13th.
The equipment will then be moved overland around 2,500 kilometres to the battalion campsite at Goz Beida in southeastern Chad.