Port of Cork Also Hosts Informal Working Party on Transport During Ireland’s EU Presidency

1st August 2026

Jehan Ashmore

Leeside: Transport attachés from across the EU were recently in Cork to discuss EU-funded transport projects. The Attaché plays an important role in representing and coordinating transport policy at EU level. The delegates Cork Harbour boat tour provided an opportunity to showcase the Port of Cork’s operations, and discuss its strategic role in Ireland's transport and maritime sectors, and highlighted the port’s plans for future growth and development. Credit: Port of Cork-Linkedin

Transport attachés from across 27 met in Cork City and visited the second largest natural harbour in the world, as part of Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency

According to the Department of Transport, during last week's 2-day programme, meetings showcased a range of EU-related transport projects and initiatives in Cork, highlighting the key role of the EU in delivering national and international connectivity to Ireland.

They were joined by representatives from the Transport Directorate of the European Commission (DG MOVE) and the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU.

Maritime

Delegates enjoyed a boat tour of Cork Harbour and were joined by representatives of the Port of Cork Company (PoCC). The visitors were briefed on the current operations and future development of the port, including the key role of EU funding under the Connecting Europe Facility.

In 2024, PoCC was awarded €38.4 million for the construction of two quay berths, which will transform the port into an offshore renewable energy (ORE) hub and bolster its international freight capabilities.

Rail

With representatives of Irish Rail, delegates also toured Cork’s Kent Station, the main train station serving Cork City, which has recently undergone a significant upgrade supported by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), to increase capacity on the network under the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme.

Following this, delegates travelled to Midleton and viewed the ongoing Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track upgrade, which will facilitate further service improvements in the coming years as part of the CACR programme.

Aviation

Representatives from Cork Airport gave insights into the importance of regional and EU air connectivity through Cork and outlined progress in delivering recent upgrades, including its Solar PV farm upgrade and other decarbonisation projects.

AirNav Ireland, Ireland’s air navigation service provider, outlined their role in managing Ireland’s airspace, a vital gateway for transatlantic travel, and providing air traffic management and other services in the North Atlantic, covering over 450,000 km² of airspace in total.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Tagged under

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.