Port has seen a 30% increase in shipping in past five years
A REPORT into the development of Sligo Port has shown a 30 per cent increase in shipping activity in the last five years. The report showed that 82 ships have docked with 94 cargos between 2016 and 2020, with 2019 being the busiest year during this timespan with 23 ship dockings and 28 cargoes.
The report also stated that there is a temporary letting agreement in place with a shipping agent to provide temporary storage facilities in the port for the import and export of cargo. The management and maintenance of Sligo Port costs approximately €120,000 to €150,000 annually, with income from shipping activities and the pontoon approximating to €70,000, while essential maintenance and improvements works due to be carried this year will cost in the region of €70,000. The council has a valid “Dumping at Sea” licence until 2025 to facilitate with dredging at the port, but the report warned that such a project would be expensive and could cost “millions of euro”, with no known grants available to undertake such work.
Sligo harbour’s last seabed survey took place more than a decade ago. A new survey will be required to re-calculate a cost of dredging.
It had been proposed that the survey take place in 2021, at a cost of approximately €20,000. This report was issued in response to a motion from Cllr Declan Bree at the recent monthly meeting of Sligo County Council.
He spoke about the need for a vibrant port in the region and there is a demand to see existing harbour facilities used to their full potential.
“The people of this community and elected representatives are anxious to see Sligo port maintained as a vibrant commercial harbour serving Sligo and the surrounding region. “We obviously want to see the best possible use of the existing substantial harbour facilities at the port which were provided largely by public funds.” He welcomed the various aspects of the report and pointed out that prior council reports spoke about the economic viability of the harbour.
“I welcome the decision to have a seabed survey of the harbour carried out this year, so as to ascertain the volume of seabed material which may need to be removed so as to maintain and improve the level of ship tonnage entering the port.”
“When this council took responsibility for the harbour and port we received a report from the council management stating clearly that they considered that the operation of the port in terms of shipping and property management was economically viable.
“The report went on to state that the council was satisfied that it could secure the development of the harbour in terms of shipping and as a driver of the economic development of the region.”
“In the recently published Spatial and Economic Strategy for this region it states that while the significance of Sligo Port in national terms may be low it still remains important in the regional and local economy, supporting local industry and providing an import-export transportation facility.”