Displaying items by tag: Ferry Terminals

17th June 2021

Scotland Border Post in Cairnryan to Cost Taxpayers £30m to Construct and Operate

A lorry boards the Larne-Cairnryan P&O Ferries European Highlander at the Co. Antrim port. Across the North Channel in south-west Scotland, plans to construct a new border post near the ferry terminals at Cairnryan (incl. serving Stena Line Belfast route) is set to cost the taxpayer around £30 million, with opening scheduled in late summer next year.

South-west Scotland: Plans for ‘inland border facilities’ are required following Brexit, with the trade deal with the European Union requiring customs checks on various products such as high risk foods and animals.

The border post, writes The Scotsman, has yet to have a finalised location (near ferry terminals in Cairnryan), will cost £30m to build and to get up and running, according to a new government contract made public on Monday on Public Contracts Scotland.

The need for the border post was described as a “direct result” of the “reckless approach to Brexit” by the UK Government the Scottish Greens said, with the Scottish Government claiming the bill would be met by the UK Government.

Around 400,000 freight vehicles and 400,000 cars travel through the two ports at Cairnryan, operated by Stena Line and P&O Ferries, with links to Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland.

Concerns about large delays at the ports were raised before the agreement of a trade deal between the EU and the UK in late 2020, with plans agreed to use a nearby airfield as a lorry park if delays at the ports became unmanageable.

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About Foyle Port

Foyle Port, located in the North West region of Northern Ireland, is estimated to handle around 2 million tonnes of cargo per year, with a trade value of approximately £1 billion. The port plays a crucial role in facilitating the import of essential agri-products, supporting around 20,000 farms in the region, as well as various local business sectors such as fuel/oil and construction industries. The organisation supports an estimated 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

Originally located in the bustling heart of Derry City, the Commissioners relocated the port to its current deep-water location at Lisahally in 1993. The terminal boasts an impressive 440 metres of quay and can accommodate large vessels of up to 62,000 DWT. Foyle Port is primarily a bulk port and a significant importer of essential commodities such as oil, coal, animal feed, fertiliser, and plywood, all of which are vital for the North West rural region.

Since 2003, the organisation has experienced significant growth, doubling both turnover and profit and attracting approximately £100 million of inward investment to the region. This investment has supported projects, including a fertiliser plant, an oil tank farm, and a biomass power station.

Established by Act of Parliament in 1854, the Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners is an independent statutory authority with a duty to develop, maintain and operate to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security. The Port is independent of the Government and is self-financing. All financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of future generations of stakeholders.