Dublin Port on Track for Record Year & 60m Tonnes of Cargo by 2040

23rd October 2015

The Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Jonathan Taylor, will today meet with Dublin Port Company representatives to finalise financing arrangements for Dublin Port’s Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project. The Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe, T.D. will also be in attendance to discuss Ireland’s long-term infrastructure development plans.

The EIB has committed to providing a €100m loan amortising over 20 years, reflecting the long-term nature of the ABR Project. This is the first time in 20 years for the EIB to finance port infrastructure development in Ireland and highlights the strategic significance of the project, which has a grant of planning permission from An Bord Pleanála. The largest single infrastructure development project in the history of Dublin Port, Dublin Port’s ABR Project is expected to take five years to complete, costing an estimated €230 million. An analysis by Indecon International Economic Consultants of the wider economic impacts arising from the ABR Project found that for every €1 million in economic costs, the project is associated with €2.80 million in economic benefits.

Today’s meeting comes as trade volumes continue to rise at Dublin Port in line with projections for a record year in 2015. New figures show total throughput (imports and exports) for the year to 30th September was 24 million gross tonnes, an increase of 5.8% on the 23 million tonnes handled in the first nine months last year. Showing further improvement in the domestic economy, imports rose 6.0% to 14.4 million gross tonnes on the same trading period, while exports strengthened by 5.5% to reach 9.9 million gross tonnes.

Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, said: “It is clear now that 2015 will be a record year and that yet more growth will come in future years as Ireland’s economy recovers. The strong growth on the import side and, within this, the 8.2% growth in petroleum imports from 2.7m to 2.9m tonnes and the 12,000 additional cars imported in the first nine months all come from the welcomed recovery in the domestic economy.”

Unitised trade grew across both Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo modes. When compared to the same nine months last year, Ro-Ro trailers pushed ahead by 6.6% to 650,104. The port’s Lo-Lo container business, which had been the worst affected cargo mode during the downturn, continues to recover strongly, and is up 8.0% to 452,992 TEU. The growth in unitised business follows increased passenger and freight sailings to and from Britain and Continental Europe, confirming Dublin Port as the island’s port of choice for Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo services.

New car and commercial vehicle imports continued apace with over 70,000 (70,483) new vehicles imported through Dublin Port in the first nine months of the year, up 20.7% on the same period last year. On the tourism side, over 1.4 million ferry passengers passed through Dublin Port in the first nine months of the year, up 6.3% on the same period last year. The figures reflect strong growth in passenger numbers travelling to Britain and France for holidays during peak season.

There was an 11.3% increase in the number of cruise ships calling at Dublin Port in the first nine months of the year with 89 cruise liners bringing almost 100,000 (98,253) high spend passengers to the capital to date. The third quarter included the arrival of four luxury cruise ships carrying 13,000 passengers in a single day. With Dublin Port’s cruise season extending until December and further cruise calls scheduled, the company’s forecast of a record cruise season remains firmly on track.

Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, said: “Dublin Port welcomes today’s visit by the Vice President of the European Investment Bank as we finalise arrangements for €100m financing for the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project. This is the next step to commencing work on the project, having already secured permission from An Bord Pleanála. Against a background of strongly growing trade, the availability of long term and well-priced finance is essential to allow us to invest in the port capacity needed in the future. We do not have spare capacity in the port and it is essential that we stay ahead of the growth with essential investment in port infrastructure. The long-term support of the EIB is just what we need.”

Jonathan Taylor, European Investment Bank Vice President, said: “Investment to upgrade Europe's key ports is essential to improve transport logistics and reduce transport costs passed onto consumers. The Port of Dublin is a crucial transport hub for Ireland and the European Investment Bank looks forward to supporting redevelopment of the Alexandra Basin. This reflects our firm commitment to supporting transport schemes across Ireland such as the M11 road upgrade announced last week and Luas cross city connection currently being built.”

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., said: “As a Tier 1 port of national significance, Dublin Port has a strategic role in supporting economic recovery and facilitating future growth. Today’s meeting with the EIB Vice President and commitment to €100m financing for Dublin Port’s ABR Project is significant. It represents confidence in Dublin Port to handle 60 million tonnes of cargo by 2040 and fulfil its mandate of operating an efficient, well-resourced port that can facilitate Ireland’s trading needs.”

“I commend Dublin Port Company on its long-term vision and prudent financial planning to realise the project with the support of EIB. Government’s Capital Plan similarly takes a long-term approach to infrastructure investment and includes an allocation of almost €10 billion from my Department to prioritise the development of our transport network and facilitate a growing economy.”

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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.