Rosslare Europort was host to harbour masters from across Europe, having seen first-hand Ireland’s only ‘smart port’ and its ongoing digital transformation in live operation.
Representatives visiting the ferryport, Wexford People writes, included ports from the UK: Dover, Portsmouth, Tyne (see Afloat pilotboat story), Jersey (St. Helier), Channel Islands (launch this month by DFDS), and Ystad in Sweden.
The delegates received a warm welcome as they toured the new facilities of the Irish port and were given an outline of what the future holds. The strategic southeast port with its closer proximity connecting Europe involves ferry routes to Cherbourg, Dunkirk in France, Bilbao, Spain, and its nearest neighbour, the UK, through Fishguard and Pembroke in Wales.
Use of SmartPort technology is a key component in the Rosslare Europort’s €1.5 million digitisation initiative, which is included in the port master plan and provision of permanent Brexit infrastructure.
Among the newly implemented technology features are automated vehicle recognition and related licence plate scanning and 3D vehicle measurements with real-time trailer tracking and customs integration. In addition to self-service check-in options and advanced facilities for passenger and freight with more than 14,000 sqm of queueing lanes.
Together, Rosslare Europort and the OPW have embarked on the €350 million investment, which is the largest in the port’s history.
More from the regional newspaper, which mentioned other developments with the construction of the Terminal 7 border customs control post, the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road, and the establishment of an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) hub.
All of the harbour masters, Afloat highlights came from ports that all involve ferry operations: Dover with short-sea links to Calais, Dunkirk, France; Portsmouth to Channel Islands, France, and Spain; Tyne (Newcastle) to the Netherlands; Jersey (St. Helier) to the UK; and France and Ystad, Sweden, connecting Poland and Bornholm, a Danish island.
