Dublin Port Company has announced the first review of its Masterplan 2012-2040 in response to rapid growth at the port in the past five years.
The review of the port’s framework for future development, which opened for public consultation on 31 January, follows volume growth of 25 per cents in just four years.
Full year trade figures for 2016 show that Dublin Port’s cargo volumes increased for the fourth successive year, growing by 6.3 per cent to 34.9 million gross tonnes.
The current review was called in response to sustained levels of growth; the start of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project and other major port infrastructure projects; and international developments, including Brexit and the possible introduction of customs and other security controls at Dublin Port.
The port’s CEO Eamonn O’Reilly said: “It is prudent that we respond to changing circumstances as they impact on the port’s operations and capacity to grow. That is why we are reviewing our masterplan and, as part of this review, I would encourage people to take the opportunity to participate in the consultation over the coming weeks.”
“Volumes are now 13 per cent or 4m gross tonnes higher than they were at the peak of the boom in 2007. When we originally launched our masterplan five years ago, we assumed an average annual growth rate of 2.5 per cent over the 30 years to 2040.
“We now believe we need to increase this growth assumption to 3.3 per cent. Under this revised assumption, the port’s volumes would increase by 265 per cent to 77m gross tonnes over the 30 years to 2040.”
The review will focus on how best to use the port’s land to increase throughput capacity and O’Reilly is confident that the port can be developed to cater for anticipated volumes through to 2040 within the port’s existing footprint and without significant major infill works.
“This will require the maximum utilisation of our brownfield sites and adjacent river berthage,” he said. “The next phase of the masterplan will continue to focus on achieving proper planning and sustainable development.”
A consultation paper has been prepared to help inform the public consultation, which runs until Tuesday 7 March. Dublin Port is inviting submissions from all those with an interest in the future development of the port.
Public information days will take place from 2-8pm in local community venues, where members of the public can meet with representatives from Dublin Port Company.
The Masterplan Review 2017 will be published in the summer.
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