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Dublin Port News
A computer-generated image giving an aerial overview of the proposed Maritime Village and interface with SPAR, looking north
Dublin Port Company (DPC) is submitting a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for a 15-year permission for its 3FM Project, the third and final project from Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040 at an estimated cost of €1.1 billion (2024 prices).…
Dublin Port's grant is for EUR €73.8 million for the construction of basic port infrastructure to address the expected growth in ro-ro freight traffic
The ports of Cork and Dublin have been sanctioned for multi-million euro grants in EU funding for sustainable, safe and smart transport infrastructure. The grants come from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU’s programme for strategic investment in…
Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan and Dublin Port CEO Barry O’Connell at the 536-year-old ‘Casting of the Spear’ tradition in Dublin Bay, becoming the ceremonial Lord Admiral of Dublin Port
Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan today carried out the 536-year-old ‘Casting of the Spear’ tradition in Dublin Bay, becoming the ceremonial Lord Admiral of Dublin Port. The tradition dates to the 15th century and has long been used to signify the…
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group logo
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is seeking to recruit a full-time Marine Biodiversity and ORE Officer to build capacity in the group and wider eNGO sector in relation to marine biodiversity and offshore renewable energy, and a Marine…
Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director at Dublin Port Company with Clíodhna Shaffrey, Director of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios and artist Liliane Puthod outside Temple Bar Gallery + Studios in Dublin City Centre. DPC and TBG+S are partnering on ‘Longest Way Round, Shortest Way Home’, a pair of immersive onsite exhibitions at Dublin Port Company’s Pumphouse on Alexandra Road. The exhibitions draw from the unique environment of the Port estate to explore geographic, economic and transport networks. It is free of charge for all and open to the public from July 6th until October 27th, 2024. Opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 11am–5pm.
Dublin Port Company (DPC) has welcomed Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (TBG+S) to the Pumphouse for ‘Longest Way Round, Shortest Way Home’. ‘Longest Way Round, Shortest Way Home’ features two solo exhibitions that will run simultaneously, and present ambitious work…
Dublin Port is hosting an exhibition on ‘Shipping and Seafaring’ which continues next week, 1- 3 July at the company’s new venue, the Substation.
Dublin Port Company has open to the public a ‘Shipping and Seafaring’ exhibition, which dives into the rich and fascinating history of the capital port’s maritime landscape. The exhibition held in the Substation explores the evolution of Dublin Port, which has…
Celebrating collaboration at Dublin Port Centre. Back l-r: Eamon Fortune, Stena Line; Paul Kennedy, Doyle Shipping Group (DSG); Kevin McGrady, CLdN RORO Ltd; Ray Eagle, DSG; Paul Berrington, Peel Ports; Wayne Murran, North Quay Associates (NQA); Alec Colvin, Dublin Ferryport Terminals; Declan Freeman, Dublin Ferryport Terminals. Front row l-r: David O’Flaherty, Seatruck; Eddie Halpin, Dublin Port Company (DPC);  Grace Larkin, Irish Ferries; Dean Chester, DPC;  Michael McKenna, DPC; Claire Percy, DPC; Glen O’Connor, DSG;  John Rock, NQA; Paul Hogan, DPC, Maria Kavanagh, DPC; Michael O’Connell, Irish Ferries, Cormac Kennedy, DPC
Dublin SafePort, the port-wide collaborative safety initiative at Dublin Port, has been recognised by the International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) at its congress in Tanger Med, Morocco. One of the IMHA’s three annual prizes, the ‘Safe, Efficient & Secure Port…
Helen Boland, Manager of the Dublin Bay Birds Project and Eamon McElroy, Port Engineer at Dublin Port Company, at the purpose-built platform for common and arctic terns running alongside Dublin's iconic Great South Wall
Dublin Port Company (DPC) is welcoming back its breeding terns for the summer months. Among these returning birds is likely an Arctic Tern that was first ringed in Dublin Port in the year 2000 and has been flying back and…
File image of one of the platforms used by breeding terns in Dublin Port
Dublin Port’s resident colony of terns is “thriving”, according to the wildlife charity that has been monitoring their progress for over 10 years. Helen Boland, manager of BirdWatch Ireland’s Dublin Bay Birds Project tells RTÉ News: “The numbers have been…
Dublin Port 3FM Project has published an updated overview illustration of its Maritime Village proposals
Dublin Port Company (DPC) has today announced an update on its 3FM Project. The changes proposed are a direct result of an extensive consultation process and a consideration of alternative options – a key requirement of the planning process. The…
Dublin Port Company has launched its Conservation Strategy, an ambitious document which maps the layers of Dublin Port - what’s on the floor of Dublin Bay, what’s underground on the Port estate and the heritage value of the built environment still standing. The strategy aims to put the rich legacy of Port Heritage in context and provides a framework for future planners to preserve and celebrate it across a range of initiatives, including cultural practice, community outreach and climate change action
Dublin Port Company (DPC) has mapped its rich natural, industrial, and cultural heritage in a new Conservation Strategy, which Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, TD, launched today. The ambitious document maps Dublin Port's layers, including findings on the floor of…
Jennifer Coughlan of the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science at the deployment of habitat units along the Great South Wall at Dublin Port
Dublin Port Company (DPC), in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), proudly announces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity along the Great South Wall. This innovative project marks a significant milestone in the realm of eco-engineering, setting a new…
Manx flagged catamaran Manannan of the Isle of Man Steam Packet is set to return to seasonal service, among them Dublin-Douglas route duties, but not until a safety inspection is carried out by Irish marine authorities as the fast-ferry is in the Irish capital today.
Observed entering Dublin Bay this morning was the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s Manannan, having departed Douglas Harbour, but the fast-ferry was not in service, writes Jehan Ashmore. The reason for the call by the 98m catamaran craft to Dublin…
The Ocean Protector is one of three EFCA offshore patrol vessels (OPVs)
An offshore patrol vessel with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has berthed in Dublin to mark the 20th anniversary of the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the Pelagic Advisory Council. The Ocean Protector is one of three EFCA…
Artist Aidan Hickey with his piece The Custom House, 1842, featuring in Shorelines, an exhibition at The Substation at Dublin Port chronicling the varied seascapes of Dublin
Shorelines, a vibrant new exhibition chronicling the varied seascapes of Dublin, will come to The Substation at Dublin Port, courtesy of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club (DPSC) and Dublin Port Company (DPC). The exhibition will contain brand-new works from…
Irish dancing sensations The Gardiner Brothers Michael and Matthew pictured with Stephen Butterly, Head of Fundraising at Aware, sponsor Barry O’Connell, CEO at Dublin Port Company, Richard Tierney, CEO at St Patrick’s Festival and joined by Bobbi (age 7) and Jude (age 4) Close from Castleknock at the launch of the 17th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk which takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17th March. An official event of St Patrick’s Festival, over 2,500 enthusiastic walkers are expected to take on the 26km challenge, with the option of starting from Howth Harbour or Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Participants can also enjoy refreshments and entertainment at the ‘Halfway Hooley’ hosted by sponsor Dublin Port Company at their historic Pumphouse. This event will help raise vital funds to ensure Aware can continue to support people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder all over Ireland. Register now at www.aware.ie
Irish dancing sensations ‘The Gardiner Brothers’ today launched the 17th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk which will take place on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17th March. An official event partner of St. Patrick’s Festival, the charity expects over 2,500 enthusiastic walkers…

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Eamonn O'Reilly is the Dublin Port Chief Executive.

Capt. Michael McKenna is the Dublin Port Harbour Master

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

In 2019, there were 158 cruise liner visits.

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

In 2019, there were 7,898 ship arrivals.

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

In 2019, there were 559,506 tourist vehicles.

There were 98,897 lorries in 2019

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

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.

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

Source: Dublin Port Company ©Afloat 2020.