Masterplan for Dublin Port unveiled

The plan sets out the framework for the long term development of Ireland’s largest and most important port. Implementing the plan will cost in excess of €600m over the next 30 years, which will be financed from the company’s own resources. Dublin Port Company has already committed to investing €110m over the first five years of the masterplan period.

The launch of the masterplan follows a year long consultation with business, community, industry and government stakeholders. Central to the masterplan is ensuring Dublin Port’s capacity to service Ireland’s future import and export trading needs both efficiently and competitively. The masterplan now provides Dublin Port Company and its stakeholders with a clear view as to how the port will be developed over the long term. In economic terms, it will mean Dublin Port Company will be ready to handle 60m tons of goods by 2040, double its current throughput based on a modest assumed growth of 2.5% per annum.

The Masterplan is founded on three principles: maximising the use of existing land; reintegrating the port with the city; and developing the port to the highest environmental standards. It has clearly shown that Dublin Port will need to expand over the next 30 years. However, the port has some breathing space because of the economic downturn and can now cater for projected growth for a decade or more within its existing footprint. The initial investment under the masterplan will be focussed on maximising the use of the port’s existing capacity. Projects involving reclamation will only be advanced if and when they become necessary and if they can meet exacting planning and environmental protection standards.

One major initiative is the construction of a new cruise facility adjacent to the east of the East Link Bridge to accommodate over 135,000 passengers and almost 90 cruise liners each season. To progress this concept, Dublin Port Company has formed Cruise Dublin, a joint initiative with Dublin City Council and Dublin Chamber of Commerce aimed at further developing the cruise tourism trade in Dublin. The first step will be to undertake a study of the needs of the cruise industry and to learn from best practice elsewhere how a suitable cruise terminal can be provided in Dublin. The estimated cost of the development is €30m. This study will be concluded later this year with a view to having a cruise terminal in place by 2015.