Foynes Deepwater Project Wins Key Maritime Approval

24th July 2026

Tom MacSweeney

Deepwater Drive – Aerial view of Foynes Port, where plans for a new deepwater berth and bridge have secured Maritime Area Consent.

Deepwater Drive – An aerial view of Foynes Port, where plans for a new deepwater berth, bridge and associated infrastructure have taken a significant step forward following Maritime Area Consent.

Shannon Foynes Port Company has secured a major regulatory approval for its proposed Foynes Island Deepwater Development Project. The decision clears an important milestone for one of Ireland's most significant planned port infrastructure schemes.

The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) has granted Maritime Area Consent (MAC) for the development, allowing the project to progress through the next stages of planning.

The consent covers the construction of a new deepwater berth, a road bridge linking Foynes Island with the existing Port of Foynes estate, and associated infrastructure works.

Shannon Foynes Port Company described the decision as a significant step towards delivering a project it says will strengthen Ireland's port infrastructure and expand capacity on the Shannon Estuary.

The company said the development will support economic growth, improve national and international connectivity, and reinforce the estuary's role as a strategic location for maritime trade.

It also said the project will help position the Shannon Estuary as a future hub for Ireland's offshore renewable energy sector.

The Maritime Area Consent does not itself permit construction but is a key regulatory requirement for major developments within Ireland's maritime area.

Published in Shannon Estuary, Marine Planning

Published in Shannon Estuary

Tagged under

Shannon Foynes Port

About The Author

Tom MacSweeney

Email The Author

Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and has a monthly Seascapes Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services

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.

You might also want to read...

Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.