Dublin Port Company's First Sustainability Report Launched by Transport Minister

17th November 2014

#SustainableReport - Dublin Port Company's first Sustainability Report was launched today by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD.

The new report, to be published annually, provides an account of Dublin Port Company's sustainable development responsibilities, challenges and achievements from the previous year with regard to economic, environmental and social considerations.

The report documents the integrated approach that Dublin Port Company takes to facilitating the movement of passengers and goods through Ireland's largest, busiest port - servicing an economic need – balanced with the needs of the port's natural and built environment, and local communities it operates alongside.

At the launch of the new report, attended by customers and staff, local community groups, individuals, and elected representatives, Dublin Port Company and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also signed a joint energy efficiency agreement. As a member of the Public Sector Energy Partnership Programme, the agreement means that Dublin Port Company and SEAI will work in partnership to achieve a target of 33% energy efficiency savings and improvements by 2020.

Energy, Waste & Water Highlights 2013:

200,000 kWh of energy saved using a building management system installed at Port Centre in 2012; enough energy to power approximately 40 Irish homes for a year*

Almost 20,000 kWh generated from Dublin Port's first wind turbine installed in 2012, enough to power 6.2 houses per day

96% of waste recycled in 2013, compared to 40% in 2009

200,000m3 water consumed in 2013, compared to 400,000m3 in 2009

Metered water levels reduced to 26,553 m3 in 2013, compared to 260,000 m3 in 2009

95% reduction in water consumption achieved over four years by 2013 through elimination of leakages on the port's 260 hectare estate

Community Highlights 2013

Education scholarships were awarded to 34 local students in 2013, bringing to over 100 the number of people Dublin Port Company currently supports in higher education. Since the company's scholarship programme was founded in 2001, over 600 students have received financial support to pursue third level education courses.

Dublin Port Company also continued its support for Ringsend & District Response to Drugs (RDRD). The project works with families in challenging circumstances such as drug addiction, domestic violence, poverty and alcoholism. In 2013, the project provided support services to 228 families in the local community, a 28% increase on the 178 families it supported the previous year.

Biodiversity Highlights 2013

In 2013 Dublin Port Company embarked on a three-year Dublin Bay Birds project with BirdWatch Ireland, a new programme of waterbird monitoring and research. The project examines in greater detail how birds use Dublin Bay for feeding and roosting, while investigating their movements between Dublin Bay and neighbouring wetlands.

The 2013 highlights include the individual marking of 118 Oystercatchers with coded rings, bi-monthly waterbird counts and additional surveys, as well as the construction of a new temporary nesting site in the Tolka Estuary since colonised by the terns. Dublin Bay is one of Ireland's most important wetlands for migratory wintering waterbirds and holds the fourth largest breeding tern colony in Ireland.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, TD, said: "I am very pleased to launch Dublin Port Company's first Sustainability Report, given Dublin Port's status as a port of national significance and its contribution to the economic, environmental and social development of the country and our capital city. I welcome today's launch event and the publication of this report as a milestone in assisting individuals and organisations to further understand Dublin Port's significant role in this regard, and its future potential. It is important that ports take a holistic approach to their operations, including sustainable business practices, and I commend Dublin Port on its clear progress in this regard."

Eamonn O'Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, said: "Dublin Port Company is pleased to publish our first Sustainability Report. It provides an accessible account of the economic, environmental and social considerations that drive our approach to doing business more sustainably today, while shaping Dublin Port's future. We are committed to measuring and reporting on our activities as Dublin Port strives to facilitate economic growth, protect our environment and enrich the lives of local communities. The publication of a new Sustainability Report is further testament to Dublin Port Company's commitment."

Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson, Dublin Port Company, said: "Dublin Port Company is dedicated to operating a sustainable port that is good for business, the city of Dublin and its citizens. It is imperative that we give an account of our stewardship and Dublin Port's journey to greater sustainability that will facilitate not only a thriving economy, but also a vibrant sea- and cityscape for this generation, and future generations to come. On behalf of Dublin Port Company, I thank Minister, Paschal Donohoe, TD for officially launching our first Sustainability Report today."

To read the report in full, download the report ny clicking HERE.

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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About Dublin Port

Dublin Port is Ireland’s largest and busiest port with approximately 17,000 vessel movements per year. As well as being the country’s largest port, Dublin Port has the highest rate of growth and, in the seven years to 2019, total cargo volumes grew by 36.1%.

The vision of Dublin Port Company is to have the required capacity to service the needs of its customers and the wider economy safely, efficiently and sustainably. Dublin Port will integrate with the City by enhancing the natural and built environments. The Port is being developed in line with Masterplan 2040.

Dublin Port Company is currently investing about €277 million on its Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR), which is due to be complete by 2021. The redevelopment will improve the port's capacity for large ships by deepening and lengthening 3km of its 7km of berths. The ABR is part of a €1bn capital programme up to 2028, which will also include initial work on the Dublin Port’s MP2 Project - a major capital development project proposal for works within the existing port lands in the northeastern part of the port.

Dublin Port has also recently secured planning approval for the development of the next phase of its inland port near Dublin Airport. The latest stage of the inland port will include a site with the capacity to store more than 2,000 shipping containers and infrastructures such as an ESB substation, an office building and gantry crane.

Dublin Port Company recently submitted a planning application for a €320 million project that aims to provide significant additional capacity at the facility within the port in order to cope with increases in trade up to 2040. The scheme will see a new roll-on/roll-off jetty built to handle ferries of up to 240 metres in length, as well as the redevelopment of an oil berth into a deep-water container berth.

Dublin Port FAQ

How old is Dublin Port?

Dublin was little more than a monastic settlement until the Norse invasion in the 8th and 9th centuries when they selected the Liffey Estuary as their point of entry to the country as it provided relatively easy access to the central plains of Ireland. Trading with England and Europe followed which required port facilities, so the development of Dublin Port is inextricably linked to the development of Dublin City, so it is fair to say the origins of the Port go back over one thousand years. As a result, the modern organisation Dublin Port has a long and remarkable history, dating back over 300 years from 1707.

Where was the original Dublin Port located?

The original Port of Dublin was situated upriver, a few miles from its current location near the modern Civic Offices at Wood Quay and close to Christchurch Cathedral. The Port remained close to that area until the new Custom House opened in the 1790s. In medieval times Dublin shipped cattle hides to Britain and the continent, and the returning ships carried wine, pottery and other goods.

How big is Dublin Port?

510 acres. The modern Dublin Port is located either side of the River Liffey, out to its mouth. On the north side of the river, the central part (205 hectares or 510 acres) of the Port lies at the end of East Wall and North Wall, from Alexandra Quay.

Who owns Dublin Port?

Dublin Port Company is a State-owned commercial company responsible for operating and developing Dublin Port.

What is Dublin Port Company?

Dublin Port Company is a self-financing, and profitable private limited company wholly-owned by the State, whose business is to manage Dublin Port, Ireland's premier Port. Established as a corporate entity in 1997, Dublin Port Company is responsible for the management, control, operation and development of the Port.

Name someone famous connected to Dublin Port?

Captain William Bligh (of Mutiny of the Bounty fame) was a visitor to Dublin in 1800, and his visit to the capital had a lasting effect on the Port. Bligh's study of the currents in Dublin Bay provided the basis for the construction of the North Wall. This undertaking led to the growth of Bull Island to its present size.

Is Dublin the largest Port in Ireland?

Yes. Dublin Port is the largest freight and passenger port in Ireland. It handles almost 50% of all trade in the Republic of Ireland.

Who handles the Cargo in Dublin Port?

All cargo handling activities being carried out by private sector companies operating in intensely competitive markets within the Port. Dublin Port Company provides world-class facilities, services, accommodation and lands in the harbour for ships, goods and passengers.

Who is the Chief Executive of Dublin Port?

Eamonn O'Reilly is the Dublin Port Chief Executive.

Who is the Harbour Master of Dublin Port?

Capt. Michael McKenna is the Dublin Port Harbour Master

How many passengers come through Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, 1,949,229 people came through the Port.

How many cruise liners arrive in Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 158 cruise liner visits.

How many tonnes of exports were shipped by Dublin Port?

In 2019, 9.4 million gross tonnes of exports were handled by Dublin Port.

How many ships arrive at Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, there were 7,898 ship arrivals.

What is the total throughput of goods at Dublin Port?

In 2019, there was a gross tonnage of 38.1 million.

How many tourist vehicles come through Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 559,506 tourist vehicles.

How many trade vehicles come through Dublin Port?

There were 98,897 lorries in 2019

Can pleasure craft enter Dublin Port?

Boats can navigate the River Liffey into Dublin by using the navigational guidelines. Find the guidelines on this page here.

What is the VHF Channel for Dublin Port control?

VHF channel 12. Commercial vessels using Dublin Port or Dun Laoghaire Port typically have a qualified pilot or certified master with proven local knowledge on board. They "listen out" on VHF channel 12 when in Dublin Port's jurisdiction.

Is there a Dublin Bay webcam?

A Dublin Bay webcam showing the south of the Bay at Dun Laoghaire and a distant view of Dublin Port Shipping is here

What is Dublin Port’s 'distributed museum'?

Dublin Port is creating a distributed museum on its lands in Dublin City.  A Liffey Tolka Project cycle and pedestrian way is the key to link the elements of this distributed museum together. The distributed museum starts at the Diving Bell and, over the course of 6.3km, will give Dubliners a real sense of the City, the Port and the Bay. For visitors, it will be a unique eye-opening stroll and vista through and alongside one of Europe’s busiest ports: Diving Bell along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay over the Samuel Beckett Bridge, past the Scherzer Bridge and down the North Wall Quay campshire to Berth 18 - 1.2 km. Liffey Tolka Project - Tree-lined pedestrian and cycle route between the River Liffey and the Tolka Estuary - 1.4 km with a 300-metre spur along Alexandra Road to The Pumphouse (to be completed by Q1 2021) and another 200 metres to The Flour Mill. Tolka Estuary Greenway - Construction of Phase 1 (1.9 km) starts in December 2020 and will be completed by Spring 2022. Phase 2 (1.3 km) will be delivered within the following five years. The Pumphouse is a heritage zone being created as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project. The first phase of 1.6 acres will be completed in early 2021 and will include historical port equipment and buildings and a large open space for exhibitions and performances. It will be expanded in a subsequent phase to incorporate the Victorian Graving Dock No. 1 which will be excavated and revealed.   The largest component of the distributed museum will be The Flour Mill. This involves the redevelopment of the former Odlums Flour Mill on Alexandra Road based on a masterplan completed by Grafton Architects to provide a mix of port operational uses, a National Maritime Archive, two 300 seat performance venues, working and studio spaces for artists and exhibition spaces. The Flour Mill will be developed in stages over the remaining twenty years of Masterplan 2040 alongside major port infrastructure projects.