Bremore Ireland Port has unveiled its vision for what it says “will become the first new deepwater port development since the foundation of the Irish State.”
The ‘Vision for Bremore Ireland Port’ developed by Henning Larsen,’ a leading global architecture firm, proposes “a world-class deep-water multi-modal energy port that will transform Ireland's energy landscape and aims to create a new Innovation District in Co. Meath.”
“Bremore Ireland Port's location on the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor, deepwater, and existing intermodal connections on the M1 and Dublin-Belfast rail line play a pivotal role in establishing it as a centre of growth both nationally and locally,” Paul Fleming, Drogheda Port Company, said at the launch of the plan.”The Innovation District will be a space where urban development and cutting-edge technology converge and is designed to foster economic growth, facilitate research and development, develop a new university hub, and provide new residential areas with essential community services.”
Bremore Ireland Port’s strategic focus initially is on the offshore wind sector, with the port to be equipped with purpose-built infrastructure, including specialised quays for wind turbine assembly and facilities for bulk, break-bulk and ferries. Bremore Ireland Port will also support Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy objectives as it will be equipped to convert offshore wind energy to green hydrogen energy.
The Bremore Ireland Port project, reinitiated in 2019, is to present a detailed planning application by 2026/2027, following public consultation, to get the views of the local community and stakeholders.
Initial berths are projected to be functional between 2028-2030, following planning decisions. The project's phasing is comprehensive, spanning a number of years, and the foremost phase emphasises offshore wind and bulk/break-bulk cargo. Economic and commercial forecasts by Black Quay Maritime Consulting and EY suggest market potential exists for Bremore Ireland Port to become one of Ireland’s largest ports. The forecasts also have shown that Bremore Ireland Port has the potential to generate significant commercial revenues and economic benefits for the local region and nationally.
Minister Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has welcomed the plan. “The Government recognised the significance of Bremore Ireland Port in the port policy statement issued in December 2021 as one of several ports that are needed to deliver Ireland’s renewable energy objectives. I'm optimistic about Bremore Ireland Port’s potential impact on decarbonisation, energy security, job and housing creation and industrial opportunities, particularly along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor of Louth, Meath and Fingal.”
Paul Fleming, CEO of Drogheda Port Company, says Bremore will “become Ireland’s leading deepwater energy port with world-class facilities capable of assembling offshore wind turbines, producing green hydrogen, and distributing eco-friendly fuels in the first development phase, including bulk, break-bulk and ferry facilities. We also aim to develop an Innovation District, which will bring together light manufacturing, urban production, R&D offices, community services, residential areas, and a dynamic university hub.”
The development of Bremore and its development in relation to Dublin Port has been a controversial topic for some years.
