Port's €100m development is progressing

Government officials have been to visit the €94m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy and to inspect progress on the €100m development of CORE1.

CORE1 is a new multipurpose berth that will initially be utilised to accelerate the deployment of Ireland’s first offshore wind projects, on the east and south coast, for 2030 and beyond.

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports at the Department of Transport Sean Canney TD also had a briefing meeting with the senior management team at the Port of Cork Company (PoCC). Although the meeting was in private, various topics are understood to have been discussed like the Port’s ambitions for the future and its substantial economic impact.

Another item discussed was the importance of cruise tourism as a key economic driver in the region, with 190,000 visitors to the Port of Cork in 2024 and 93 cruise liner calls scheduled for 2025.

It was described by those at the briefing as a “high-level meeting”.

Ann Doherty, CEO at the Port of Cork, said: “The Port of Cork is working towards a net-zero port by 2050. We envisage this future port to be an energy hub, continuing a role it has fulfilled to date with a more sustainable vision and still responding to both existing and future energy needs. The Port of Cork can be a key enabler of the green energy sector in Ireland by taking advantage of its natural deep-water navigation channels and existing quayside berths while accelerating the build-out of further quayside infrastructure to support offshore renewable energy.”

She continued: “The new multi-purpose deep water berth will have the length, depth and load bearing capacities required for the construction of the large scale offshore wind projects planned for the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea. We look forward to working with Minister Canney and the Government to help progress Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable future, while ensuring energy security in the short and long term.”

Construction is already underway for a multi-purpose deep water berth at Ringaskiddy, CORE1, with an initial priority to facilitate the storage, assembly and installation requirements. All the necessary facilities are being assembled with the intention to be ready for the ORE market in 2027.

Minister Canney said: “I look forward to working with the Port of Cork as they help drive Ireland forward to a cleaner, greener future while also supporting industry through the import and export of essential goods and supplies. The Government is committed to enhancing port infrastructure so we are ready to meet the challenges that our economic growth demands to ensure Ireland remains competitive on the international stage as an open trading partner.”