Public Consultation Opens on Further Information for Galway Deepwater Port Application

14th December 2024

Afloat.ie Team

Galway Deepwater Port Application - the development itself will consist of berthing facilities for general cargo vessels, oil tankers, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and container vessels.

Public consultation has opened on details of further information submitted by the Port of Galway for its planning application for a deepwater port.

The further information has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála and includes updates to the environmental impact statement and Natura impact statement accompanying the application.

The planning application for a deepwater port capable of taking larger vessels was lodged with An Bord Pleanála over a decade ago on January 10th, 2014.

It was submitted through the Strategic Infrastructure Act under the Habitats Directive, known as IROPI (Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest).

The development involves reclaiming almost 24 hectares of land, largely in an area of Galway Bay designated as a candidate Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area and includes works on the Lough Atalia road-rail bridge.

Under IROPI, a derogation to the Habitats Directive may be allowed where “compensatory measures” are secured to ensure that the overall coherence of the network of European sites is maintained.

The development itself will consist of berthing facilities for general cargo vessels, oil tankers, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and container vessels.

A western marina will be formed, providing 216 amenity berths. The development will also contain roll on/roll off facilities and berths for naval/research vessels. Also, breakwaters will be constructed as part of the proposed development to provide requisite shelter and craft stability while berthed.

An oral hearing was held over two days in January 2015, where submissions from individuals and organisations were heard.

In September of that year, An Bord Pleanala asked for details on how it would compensate for the negative impact the development would have on Galway Bay Special Area of Conservation.

The impact included the loss of Fucoid-dominated reef habitat, mud and sand flat habitat and perennial vegetation of stony banks.

Compensatory proposals were lodged in November 2015. After more negotiations, the final compensatory proposal was lodged in April 2019.

An Bord Pleanála asked for more details in April 2021.

Further information is available for inspection at An Bord Pleanála’s offices in Dublin, at Galway City Council and Galway Harbour Company offices, or from the Bord Pleanála website.

Submissions can be made to An Bord Pleanála by no later than 5.30 pm on February 7th, 2025.

Published in Galway Harbour

Tagged under

Galway Port

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Galway Port & Harbour

Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

When is the new ferry starting service from Galway?

The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

Is the Volvo Ocean Race coming back to Galway?

Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

The pandemic was the reason why Seafest did not go ahead in Cork in 2020. Galway will welcome Seafest back after it calls to Waterford and Limerick, thus having been to all the Port cities.