Dublin Port - Year in Review 2018

18th December 2018

Promoted

The cruise liner Eclipse with a Dublin Port Tug on the River Liffey

As the main gateway for trade in and out of Ireland, 2018 has been a year of exceptional progress and growth at Dublin Port on several fronts

Trade

In the first nine months of the year, cargo volumes rose by 4.7% to 28.4m gross tonnes, with imports up by 6.0% and exports up by 3.0%. Overall, port volumes grew by 4.7% in the period, and by year-end the port will have seen 36% growth in the past six years alone.

Capital Investment

The extraordinary rate of growth requires Dublin Port to accelerate its capital investment programme to deliver the capacity required for future growth. After decades of under-investment in port infrastructure, Dublin Port plans to invest Ä1 billion over the next ten years. In 2018 alone, investment reached Ä132 million, guided by the Masterplan 2040.

Masterplan Reviewed 2018

With record levels of throughput and growth, managing Dublin Port in accordance with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development is key. This year saw the first review of the Masterplan 2012 – 2040 published.

The review has seen Dublin Port’s underlying long-term growth assumption for throughput rise from 2.5% per annum to 3.3% per annum. On this basis, throughput is expected to increase to 77m gross tonnes by 2040 compared to the 60m gross tonnes anticipated when the Masterplan was published initially.

One of the most important outcomes from the review process is a commitment not to expand by way of infill in Dublin Bay, but rather to continue catering for growth in throughput by utilising the existing footprint of the port, both on the North Quays and within the Poolbeg Peninsula together with the additional 44h of lands acquired for Dublin Inland Port.

Brexit

The past year has also been characterised by preparations for Brexit, and work has commenced on primary border control infrastructure in anticipation of the reintroduction of border controls in Dublin Port should that ultimately prove necessary. Dublin Port continues to work in close co-operation with the various State agencies to facilitate what may be required from March 2019.

MVCelineDublinPort 395 Port workers at the MV Celine, the world’s largest short sea Ro-Ro ship owned by CLdN, christened at Dublin Port

New Ships in Port

There were new “faces” on the River in 2018, with the christening of MV Celine, the world’s largest short sea Ro-Ro ship providing additional capacity for customers trading with Continental Europe via the ports of Zeebrugge and Rotterdam. Representing the next generation of super ferries servicing Dublin Port, her arrival also marked a new milestone in the port’s Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project. With a capacity of 8,000 lane-meters, such is her size, MV Celine would not have been able to call into Dublin Port had development works on three kilometres of berths not already commenced.

Dublin Port Signing pilot boat Signing on the dotted line for Dublin Port’s new Pilot Boat were: Michael McKenna, Harbour Master, Dublin Port Company, Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, Alan Goodchild, MD, Goodchild Marine, Steve Pierce, General Manager, Goodchild Marine

With shipping companies increasingly deploying longer, deeper ships, it was announced that the leading UK boat builder Goodchild Marine Services Limited had secured the contract to construct a new Pilot Boat for Dublin Port. The new 17.1 metre ORC vessel is due for delivery to Dublin Port in July 2019 and will be a welcome addition to the fleet required to service the operational needs of the port.

The boat offers several environmental and design features such as greater fuel efficiency, capacity to cut emissions and an ability to handle high speeds in bad weather owing to its innovative beak bow design which can steady the hull as it pitches into the sea. A separate, flexibly mounted wheelhouse will help to mitigate noise and vibration, making the experience for pilots and crew more comfortable, whilst the hull form significantly reduces fuel consumption due to minimal drag.

TallShipsRegatta2018 815 Tall Ship Bellem arrives for The Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta into Dublin Port in June

Life on the River

Celebrating life on the River Liffey has been a focal point for Dublin Port in 2018. The Tall Ships Regatta, Poolbeg Yacht Club Regatta, Clontarf Yacht Club Regatta, East Wall Water Sports Regatta, All in a Row charity event, Dublin Currach Regatta, St. Patrick’s Rowing Club Regatta, Stella Maris Rowing Club Regatta, the Hope Row, the “Three Bridges” Liffey Cruise and the Liffey Swim were among the many highlights that saw the River Liffey and Dublin Bay come to life for the sailing community, bringing together those who enjoy this spectacular amenity for recreation, sporting and spectating purposes.

Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director

New Resources

Shining a light on the 300-year-old history of Dublin Port and those who worked there is Lar Joye, who took up the new role of Port Heritage Director during the year. Dublin Port’s archive collection covers the history of the port since 1706, and consists of a priceless collection of maps, museum collections, a vast drawings collection, and the paper archive of the Port. The process of bringing the archives into the public domain has begun, with Lar already working on the photograph collection, preparing 18,000 photographs to be digitised during the year and developing a new online resource here

Looking Back

It was also a year to remember events of the past, including the centenary of the sinking of the mailboat RMS Leinster with support for a new art exhibition at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire, as well as hosting a lecture series to mark the bicentenary of Bullock Harbour.

Rinn Voyager Sailing Project 5 Rinn Voyager launch (from left) Dublin Port Company Harbour Master Michael McKenna and Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring join Poolbeg Training CLG Manager Denis Murphy, Betty Ashe of Pearse Street, Tim Darmody of the Docklands and Jimmy Murray of Ringsend

Notable milestones during the year also included 25 years of the Rinn Voyager Sailing Project, which Dublin Port helped to establish in response to feedback from the local community for educational training facilities and opportunities. The Rinn Voyager Sailing Project began in 1993 when Dublin Port Company agreed to match EU funding and supply the premises, facilities and engineering expertise to help launch an initiative enabling unskilled school leavers and long-term unemployed people from Regal House, Dublin, to build the vessel.

Launched by the then Irish President, Mary Robinson, the Rinn Voyager has been used to great success by countless local community groups and organisations for outings, rehabilitative programmes and team building exercises through the medium of sail training.

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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.