Banana imports have returned to the Port of Cork in Ireland for the first time since the 1980s, following the arrival of the country's first ever Maersk Line service.
The introduction of the new import channel follows the recent expansion of container handling facilities at the Sean Lemass Deepwater Terminal, located in Ringaskiddy on the western side of Cork harbour.
Port authorities have invested a total of €2.9m to build a new container compound and install an electric rubber-tyred gantry crane, developments which have enabled Maersk to begin a weekly service into Cork from Latin America.
The direct service sails from Vera Cruz in Mexico, stopping in Costa Rica, Belize and Panama before reaching Ireland, and offers greater efficiency for importers and exporters based in the south of Ireland.
'The investment in this new facility demonstrates our commitment to continue to grow the container business, which, in turn, provides a much needed stimulus to Ireland's import and export trade,' commented Dermot O'Mahoney, chairman of the Port of Cork.
'Over the coming months, we will be embarking on new projects to continue to grow our facilities and to attract more services.
'The vessels being used for this service are some of the largest of their type to be accommodated in the port, highlighting the deep-water capabilities of the port and the facilities we have in place to handle such a service.'
