Swansea sea link possible as Cork Port has record profits

THE Port of Cork is headed for another year of record profits as it confirmed it is hopeful the Swansea Cork ferry connection will recommence this year.

It said it is working to facilitate the reintroduction of the link that was terminated a year ago, but added that it was disappointed the connection failed to recommence sooner.

It said talks with Swansea Cork Ferries are at a delicate stage with negotiations continuing, adding that if no deal is reached it “won’t be from a lack of effort”.

The Port also said yesterday it will announce record profits and turnover over the coming weeks, saying 2007 figures will be up on the previous year’s record figures of €54 million profit and €23.2m turnover.

The Port’s marketing manager Captain Michael McCarthy said it is still looking for a relocation package of €60m-€65m, adding that it continues to actively support Cork City Council in its efforts to secure the development of the Cork Docklands.

In his end of year statement, the Port’s chairman, Dermot O’Mahoney, said that because the City quays are central to port activities and the on-going viability of the company, there is a need to provide the Port Company with the financial resources to construct the necessary facilities in Ringaskiddy to handle the displaced city trade.

Last year, traffic at the Port of Cork reached 10.6 million tonnes, which it said was the highest in the history of the company.

This is the third year in a row that in excess of 10 million tonnes of cargo has been handled. The Port’s container traffic grew by 8% increasing from 185,000 TEU containers to a new record 200,000.

The Port also said it hosted a record number of cruise vessels last year with 41 cruise ships visiting Cork Harbour. The visiting liners brought over 50,000 passengers to the region contributing in excess of €30m.

The Port said its investment of €3.6m in upgrading the Cobh Cruise Terminal in 2006 is also paying dividends.

Further investment is planned for early this year which will enable larger cruise vessels to berth at the dedicated terminal at Cobh.