#BantryUpgrade - An upgrade costing €8.5m to the main harbour in Bantry Bay writes the Irish Examiner is expected to get underway later this month.

The long-awaited project at the port (see 2015 figures) will provide a huge boost to tourism and marine industries in the West Cork town.

BAM Civil Ltd was yesterday appointed main contractor for phase one of the the inner harbour development.

It involves the creation of a 20-berth marina on quayside pontoons, plus dredging to a depth of 4m, which will allow vessels access the inner harbour in all tidal conditions.

The main pier is to be widened and extended while a 4,000sq m public recreational amenity will be created from reclaiming land adjacent to the railway pier, also in the inner harbour. 

To read more from the newspaper, click here.

#Refinery - The Irish Examiner writes that the Port of Cork is partially “insulated” said its chairman from future developments at Whitegate oil refinery but has a clear preference for it to remain operational.

The refinery’s future continues to hang in the balance as the obligation on its owner Phillips 66 to operate the facility until July 2016 draws closer.

The ongoing uncertainty is cause for concern for the port which counts on Whitegate for 55% of its freight traffic.

The possibility that the refinery would be converted to a storage facility if the “worst-case scenario” came to pass offers some solace regardless of whether Whitegate remains operational, said Port of Cork chairman John Mullins.

To read more from the newspaper's story click here.

Total traffic through the Port of Cork and Bantry Bay Port Company in 2015 reached a total of 11 million tonnes. Total Trade traffic at the Port of Cork reached 9.8 million tonnes up a significant 10% on 2014 traffic figures. Bantry Bay Port Company dropped slightly from 1.3 million tonnes in 2014 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2015. These figures are extremely positive for the port and show trade is beginning to return to pre-recession times.

Total container volumes through both Tivoli and Ringaskiddy Container Terminals in the Port of Cork grew by 8% compared to 2014 figures with over 205,000 TEU’s handled. This is very encouraging particularly as the Port received planning permission to move all container operations to Ringaskiddy in the near future. Dry bulk cargos such as animal feed, increased by 2% in 2015 while fertilisers and cereals both decreased slightly.

Liquid bulk cargo, predominantly the oil traffic through Whitegate Oil Refinery, currently owned and operated by Phillips 66, continues to have a significant impact on the overall traffic through the Port of Cork with oil traffic in 2015 showing an increase of almost 20%. This significant increase in 2015 is attributed to an increase in demand from the domestic market as recovery takes hold and due to maintenance shut-down in the Whitegate refinery in 2014 which affected refining for a six week period. Traffic from the Bantry Bay Oil Storage Terminal is operated by Zenith Energy, which accounts for 100% of the commercial traffic through Bantry Bay Port.

Commenting on the 2015 trade traffic results, Port of Cork Chairman Mr. John Mullins said: ‘We are pleased with the total trade traffic figures across both Bantry and Cork in 2015. Achieving traffic figures which are in line with pre-recessionary time highlights the beginning of the positivity returning to the market and I am confident that we can sustain this growth across 2016. Container traffic increased by 8% indicating the confidence in the consumer market for imports and the growth of exports in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. The Port’s move to Ringaskiddy is vitally important to meet expected further growth in this market.’

He continued “Whitegate oil Refinery operated by Phillips 66 is a key customer within the port and we are extremely encouraged to see oil traffic up compared to 2014. Phillips 66 currently has the refinery on the market for sale and we would remain hopeful that it would be sold as an operating refinery.”

The Port of Cork cruise business grows year on year with 55 scheduled cruise liners calling to Cork in 2015. In total these liners carried in excess of 145,000 passengers and crew to the region. These transit visitors are an excellent economic stimulus for Cork, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy for eight months of the year. The Port of Cork has completed work on upgrading the facilities at Cobh Cruise Terminal and can now handle ‘Quantum Class’ vessels, which are the largest liners operating in Europe today. The Port of Cork continues to work closely with cruise lines to increase calls to both Port of Cork and Bantry Bay.

Brittany Ferries had another very positive year with their seasonal service from Cork to Roscoff carrying 84,378 passengers in 2015. This figure is up compared with 2014 and it is hoped that 2016 will be another busy year for Brittany Ferries when sailings resume.

In 2015 the Port of Cork was granted planning permission for the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment which is a milestone for the Port of Cork and particularly the Munster region. According to Chairman Mr. Mullins, receiving planning permission for the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment has given the organisation a renewed confidence in the future of trade for the Cork region. He said; ‘Not only is this a great boost for our company but most importantly for our customers, who can now confidently plan for the future, knowing the port has the capacity to accommodate their growth.’

Following a public tender process in November, advance works on the project are due to begin in January 2016. These advance works are a positive step in terms of the Ringaskiddy port redevelopment and will include site clearance to the proposed container compound area which will serve to prepare the site to ensure the main works are not delayed. The next step is to launch the main works tender process in April 2016, with a view to contract being awarded in Q3 2016. It is estimated that 849 FTE jobs will be created during the construction of the Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Project which the Port aims to have operating by Q4 2018.

The Port of Cork is committed to seeking out new business opportunities for the Port and in particular, the agri-food business will be a key sector which the Port of Cork is keen to develop. Other areas include the offshore oil exploration field and of course establishing new trade links from Cork.

The Port of Cork Schools Initiative is now in its eleventh year and aims to educate 5th class primary school children about the rich history associated with Cork Harbour and to highlight the importance of having a local port to facilitate the connectivity to world markets. The initiative also gives children a better understanding of where cargo comes from and how Ireland, as an island depends on Ports for trading. This year’s theme (2016) ‘A Day in the Life of a Cruise Passenger Visiting Cork’ focuses on the leisure and tourism aspect of the harbour, county and city and encourages school children to see what their region has to offer international visitors.

The Port of Cork’s recreational strategy continues to expand with the aim of improving the marine leisure facilities around Cork Harbour and the Port of Cork continues to be an ongoing supporter many of the local harbour festivals and events, local sporting clubs in the harbour and cultural events in the city.

#CruiseLiners - Following the release of Dublin Port's cruise visit schedule, the Port of Cork has announced its own list of arrivals for 2016.

And it features many of the same big names, with May and August particularly busy months for cruise liners visiting the Cobh Cruise Terminal in Cork Harbour.

However, one visitor the capital won't be seeing – after three cancellations last season – is the enormous Fantasia-class MSC Splendida, a veritable floating city with more than 4,000 passengers that's expected to stop in Cobh on 312 August.

The full schedule is available on the Port of Cork website HERE.

#CustomHouse - Port of Cork Company's historic city-centre Custom House according to the Irish Examiner is set to be put on the market in the coming weeks as it advances plans to relocate to Ringaskiddy.

The building will be brought to market with a guide price expected to be in the region of €6m but could yet fetch significantly more than that given demand in the docklands area. Sources estimated its eventual price tag could reach as much as €10m.

The 19th century building should prove a major attraction to potential investors given its prominence in the city and rising demand in its vicinity. The building was taken over by the Harbour Commissioners in 1904 on a 999-year lease before the Harbours Act of 1996 transferred all the Commissioners assets to the Port of Cork.

To read more on recent property sales close to the Custom House and a new downriver central business district (CBD) click here.

#PortofCork2015 - The year 2015 has been significant for the Port of Cork Company in many ways. Trade traffic has been performing well and according to the company, well over €8 million tonnes of cargo moving in and out of the port to date (full year trade figures will be available in early January 2016.)

Earlier in the year, the Port of Cork was granted planning permission for the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment which was a great achievement for the Port of Cork and particularly the Munster region.

According to Mr Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Company, securing this future development translates into significant economic benefits for Cork and the Munster region, as well as the national economy.

Following a public tender process in November, advance works on the project are due to begin in January 2016. These advance works are a positive step in terms of the Ringaskiddy port redevelopment and will include site clearance to the proposed container compound area which will serve to prepare the site to ensure the main works are not delayed.

Mr Keating commented on the advance works saying: ‘This is a very positive initial step of the project and will ensure the next step, which is to launch the main works contract in April 2016 will be on track, with a view to contract being awarded in Q3 2016.’

He continued: ‘It is estimated that 849 FTE jobs will be created during the construction of the Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Project which the Port aims to have operating by Q4 2018.’

The Port of Cork cruise business has been a success story from the early 1990’s when the port welcomed 10 cruise ships per year to Cork Harbour compared to over 60 cruise ships now annually. Over 100,000 passengers and crew visit the region on board these luxurious liners and in turn provide a huge boost to the local economy. This year the Port of Cork have invested €1.5 million in upgrading facilities at Cobh Cruise Terminal, Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth, which will enable larger ships to be berthed.

Cork’s cruise business success is down to a number of things, such as year round marketing of the port’s capabilities and what the region has to offer, continued investment by the Port in the cruise area and a dedicated team, eager to increase business and make Cork Ireland’s number one cruise destination.

In 2015 the Port of Cork together with Cunard, marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Lusitania. This commemoration, which was attended by the President of Ireland showed Cobh town in all its glory and particularly highlighted Cobh’s maritime history and indeed Cork Harbour’s history

‘Cork Mega Port’, the fly on the wall style documentary series produced by Goldhawk Media gave viewers all over Ireland an opportunity to go inside the day to day workings of the Port of Cork. This hugely successful TV series was a unique opportunity for the Port of Cork and highlighted the many challenges faced by port staff to ensure Cork’s trade is kept moving 24/7 365 days a year.

Summarising 2015 for the Port, Chief Executive Mr Brendan Keating said: ‘Every year we face challenges as a port company, however receiving planning permission for the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment has given our organisation a renewed confidence in the future of trade for the Cork region. Not only is this a boost for our company but most importantly for our customers, who can now confidently plan for the future, knowing the port will be here to accommodate their needs.’

Leading classification society Bureau Veritas has issued its first certificate under the ISPO (International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations) standard of best practice for pilots and pilot organizations to the Pilotage Authority, Port of Cork, Ireland. The ISPO certification covers the Pilotage services and Vessel Traffic Management System.

The ISPO is an accessible industry specific standard, managed by a group of users, that improves safety and quality and provides transparency to ship owners and stakeholders on pilotage standards.

Philippe Donche-Gay, Executive Vice-President and Head of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore division, says, “The Port of Cork has adopted this industry code as a means of building continuous improvement into its pilotage operations. Bureau Veritas is pleased to be able to audit the pilotage and support this initiative. It is part of our own continual drive to support and deliver services which help ship owners and the marine community operate more effectively.”

Paul O’Regan, Harbour Master, Port of Cork, says, “Port of Cork Pilots has always been at the forefront of the industry when adapting to change and in consistently achieving the highest levels of safety and operational standards. The accreditation by Bureau Veritas from ISPO recognises the fact that the Cork Pilots and Pilotage Authority have, for many years, had a systematic approach to achieving first class port operations. The Port Company and Cork Pilots have worked hard with BV over the last twelve months in order to meet the requirements of ISPO and I believe this standard will achieve global recognition. The pilots and ports that achieve ISPO will be best placed to meet the needs of our maritime customers.”

The ISPO certification for the Port of Cork covers twelve pilots which safely managed mixed marine traffic handling over 9 million tonnes of cargo and 56 cruise ship calls during 2015.

The Port of Cork will welcome MV Boudicca, the final cruise liner of the 2015 season to Cobh tomorrow following another very successful cruise season for the Port of Cork.

2015 has been the most significant year to date for the Port of Cork, not in the number of ships but in their increased passenger carrying capacity. In total, 55 cruise liners called to the Port of Cork, home to Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth, carrying a record 145,000 passengers and crew. These visitors bring a much needed boost to the local economy for eight months of the year.

In 2015, 10 liners made their maiden call to the Port of Cork and 20 vessels called which were greater than 330 metres in length and carried in excess of 3,000 passengers.

The continuing trend with the major cruise lines is for bigger vessels of 300-350 metre lengths and a capacity of 3,000 – 5,000 passengers. Captain Michael McCarthy, Commercial Manager of the Port of Cork commented: “if Ireland aspires to grow its cruise sector and capitalise on this continuing expansion, the main cruise regions of Dublin, Cork and Belfast will need to review their cruise strategy and upgrade their berthing options. The cruise companies has confidence in the sector as is evident from their investment so it is now time for the EU, Irish Government, regional authorities, chambers and tourism bodies to have equal confidence in the sector and back the necessary infrastructure. The cruise sector is unique in that the cities and regions are the main beneficiaries of cruise calls with an estimated spend of €15m in the south of Ireland alone this year from vessels visiting Cork Harbour”.

Earlier this year, the Port of Cork invested over €1.5 million in upgrading facilities at Cobh Cruise Terminal, with the installation of a number of high load 150 tonne mooring bollards which will enable even larger ships to berth into the future. Construction was complete by mid-April 2015, in time for the start of the 2015 cruise season which got underway with the berthing of the “Regal Princess” on the 25th April. The Port of Cork Company is committed to developing the cruise business into Cork and this upgrade of the cruise berth will ensure that Cobh and Cork Harbour can accommodate the largest vessels visiting Europe for the foreseeable future. The Port of Cork’s dedicated cruise berth offers a genuine unrestricted berthing at any stage of the tide on a 24/7 schedule. The booking schedule for 2016 looks very promising and the Port expects to considerably increase the number of calls and passengers to the region.

Following this excellent cruise season, the Port of Cork would like to express their thanks to all their Cork Cruise members, Irish Rail, tourist ambassador volunteers, Cobh Tidy Towns, tour operators, bus companies, travel agents and the many different attractions around the region for their continued support and cooperation with the cruise business.

#IrishPorts - Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has today (Friday 10 July) welcomed the announcement by the European Commission that a number of projects – including developments across three Irish ports – have been recommended for co-funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

"This is good news and a further boost for infrastructure investment in Ireland," said Minister Donohoe. "The recommendation by the European Commission in respect of these five projects is a positive step in the development of these key infrastructural projects which will allow for future growth and development which will ultimately help with job creation.

“I was particularly delighted to support the port companies in their applications. Ireland’s National Ports Policy categorises the Port of Cork Company, Dublin Port Company and Shannon Foynes Port Company as Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) in recognition of the key role of they play in national economic development.

"This positive announcement will support significant, planned investment by the ports and follows the news that the Ringaskiddy project in the Port of Cork has recently been granted planning permission, while just today the Alexander Basin Redevelopment Project received a positive planning decision from An Bord Pleanála, allowing the largest ever infrastructure development project to be carried out at Dublin Port.

"In addition, Shannon Foynes Port Company’s first major project, the redevelopment of the East Jetty, is now well underway having commenced earlier this year. The continued commercial development of the port companies is a key strategic objective of the Government which will support job creation across the country as they are progressed in the years to come.”

The five projects are as follows:
· Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy Project (Project Type: Works, Co-funding rate: 17.47%, EU Max Contribution: €12,736,001.10)
· Shannon Foynes Port Company, Jetty Enhancement for Sea Port (Works, 20%, €2,200,000)
· Shannon Foynes Port Company, Connecting International Sea Cargo to the Irish Rail Network (Study, 50%, €800,000)
· Dublin Port, Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project (Works, 10.3%, €22,782,055)
· City Centre Re-signalling Project (Works, 30%, €17,586,760.20)

#portofcork – The Port of Cork has secured EU funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – Transport sector. As a Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) project, over €12.3 million was allocated for the Port's Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Project, further endorsing the Port of Cork as a vital link in the European transport network.

The Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Project, which will ultimately amount to an investment of around €100 million, will form an extension to the existing facilities that the Port currently operates in Ringaskiddy.

Speaking about the funding investment secured from the EU, Mr Denis Healy, Manager Engineering Services, Port of Cork said: "This funding will assist in ensuring the Port of Cork can meet future connectivity needs and will support the development of the wider regional and national economy which is of key importance to Cork."

He continued: "The funding will be invested in the first phase of the Ringaskiddy Port Redevelopment Project which was given the green light by An Bord Pleanala in May."

Launched in September 2014, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) call for proposals generated an unprecedented interest. The Commission received 700 applications totalling €36 billion of requested funding, three times more than the available envelope. This allowed the Commission to select the projects with the highest European added value, while guaranteeing a balanced distribution geographically and between the transport modes.