First step in €30 million development of Europort
PLANNING TO BE LODGED THIS WEEK FOR PHASE ONE OF MASTERPLAN
THE first step in a €30 million transformation of Rosslare Europort will be taken this week when the port authority Iarnród Eireann makes an application for planning permission to Wexford County Council.
The investment, which will be made over a period of five years, is part of a port ‘Masterplan’ to ensure Rosslare Harbour has the capacity, facilities and technology to facilitate major growth for the benefit of the region and the national economy.
Among the changes which are subject to planning permission are a reconfiguration of the port lay-out and new facilities and infrastructure along with a plan to make Rosslare a ‘sustainable, seamless and smart port’, to ensure it reaches its full potential as Ireland’s gateway to the UK and Europe.
Rosslare Europort is the closest port to the UK and mainland Europe and offers numerous daily/weekly direct services to the UK, France and Spain.
The development will be completed in a number of phases over a five-year time frame to enable the port to continue operating all services and activities during construction.
In addition to Iarnród Eireann’s investment, other public and private development projects are also taking place at the port, including the construction of the new N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Wexford County Council; the development of a Rosslare Europort Business Park by the Dutch company XELLZ, to target the future offshore wind market;,and the building of permanent facilities to meet customs and Brexit requirements for State agencies at the port, making Rosslare the only port outside of Dublin with the required Border Inspection Post.
The combined developments will represent the largest ever investment in the port and surrounding area, with the aim of positioning Rosslare Europort to become the leading gateway for the country to the UK and Europe
‘ These are probably the most exciting times that the port has ever seen with transformational developments planned over the next few years’, said Glenn Carr, the General Manager at Rosslare Europort.
‘We will be making significant investment, demonstrating our commitment and drive to grow Rosslare Europort and ensuring that we maximise its full potential both for the region and the overall country.
‘While we will have challenges in dealing with the current Covid and Brexit situation, I am extremely optimistic with the plans we now have in place for the development of the port and growing of the business well into the future, building on new business from Brittany Ferries earlier this year.
Mr Carr said Iarnród Eireann very much welcomed the additional substantial investments that are being made with the new port access road by TII and Wexford County Council, the new Brexit facilities for state agencies by the OPW, Revenue and Departments of Transport, Departments of Agriculture, Justice and Health and the proposed Rosslare Business Park Zone by XELLZ.
‘All of these developments, along with our masterplan will greatly benefit not just the port but also the economic development of the region.
‘I also strongly believe that Rosslare Europort is now the best positioned port to be the Offshore Wind Energy hub for Ireland in the future.
‘No other port in the Republic has the potential land, capacity and connectivity available that is required, and I look forward to working with all of the key stakeholders in securing the support and investment needed to secure the delivery of this vital development for the country’, he said.
Rosslare Europort engaged Nicholas O’Dwyer, with specialist input from the international marine consultancy NIRAS to prepare the infrastructure masterplan.
Its objective included addressing limitations at the harbour and establishing what additional facilities are required, maximising available land to meet the needs of future traffic with regard to trends in vessel sizes and types, and fostering new business opportunities such as offshore wind energy and additional direct services to Europe.
The plans include reconfiguring the port to align it with external road and land development around the harbour; providing adequate land for the Border Inspection Facility, to meet customs, security and immigration control requirements, the implementation of a digitisation programme to create Ireland’s smartest IT port, the improvement of efficiency and safety of traffic and operations and an extension of a longer berth with a second double linkspan to accommodate large vessels of the future..
A detailed phasing plan has been developed to avoid potential conflicts during construction from 2020-2024 to ensure there will be a fully functioning port at all times.