Iarnród Éireann to invest €8m in Rosslare port

IARNRÓD Éireann has announced plans to invest more than €8 million in further developing infrastructure at Rosslare Europort, of which the company is port authority.

The funds will go towards improving the port’s terminal infrastructure in order to cater for its future growth and additional shipping needs. Rosslare is currently ranked as the fastest-growing ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) port in the country, with a 14% increase in freight volumes recorded last year and a 10% rise recorded to date this year. The port recorded a surplus of €3.1m last year, on a revenue of €11.4m.

Additional investment will go towards expanding the existing trailer compound at the port, allowing for continued growth in capacity.

“The investment will be of benefit to Rosslare Europort’s competitive position and to the wider Irish economy,” said a company spokesperson.

“As an island nation, Ireland’s commercial ports are vital to the country’s economy given that they are responsible for 99% of the volume of our international trade and enhanced infrastructure for shipping operators is critically needed.”

The bulk of the investment will replace the Linkspan on Berth 2 at the port, at a cost of €6.8m.

This will ensure all vessels either currently using or envisaged to use the port in the future can be accommodated. These works will be completed late next year.

Iarnród Éireann has also engaged consultant engineers to conduct a feasibility study into deepening Berth 2 to a depth of nine metres.

Together with the linkspan investment, this would enable Rosslare to handlea new class of ro-ro ships developed in recent years, called Humbermax. These are the largest ships capable of using the large ro-ro terminals on Britain’s River Humber, such as Immingham and Killingholme.