Safe Port in storm of COVID-19 reality
CLASSIFIED as an essential service, Drogheda Port is continuing to bring much needed supplies into the local area while putting in place the necessary social distancing measures to keep staff safe.
Drogheda Port CEO Paul Fleming revealed that while the Port has seen an increase of goods coming in to the port in some areas, the ongoing national restrictions mean some parts of the business have seen a sharp decline.
‘We are extremely busy at the moment but that is likely to drop off as consumer demand drops off,’ said Mr Fleming. ‘ We would have a lot of construction stuff coming in and that has completely stopped now. ‘
He said the Port also have a stockpiling issue because construction goods were brought in to the Port which then could not be delivered once the government brought in a total lockdown and closed all but essential constructions work in the country.
‘ The critical stuff coming in here at the moment would be the agriculture stuff like feed for the animals in the field and fertilisers, they’re the main products we have to keep the supply lines open for.’
He said much like supermarkets, which has seen an increase in demand for products in recent weeks, they are seeing the same pattern for Agri supplies at present.
‘Where it’s going to take us we’ll have to wait and see. Ultimately
we’re not much different to any other business, we’re trying to stay open in what are very difficult times,’ said Mr Fleming.
‘It is very much unkown territory but the important thing is we’re open, so far we’re working well and we’ve made the necessary changes to keep staff well,’ he said.
He said supply chains remain ‘pretty robust’ with the ones that need to operate operating. ‘Shipping is not shut down so we can move from one country to another and factories, certain ones, would be seen as critical services so those trades are operating and there is no idication from customers that the supply chains are not there for them.’
He said the Port are obviously operating while observing the social distancing rules with different ship patterns and different teams to keep people segregated to safeguard the health of employees.