Report raises doubts about economic benefits of relocating Dublin Port
A detailed cost-benefit analysis concluded that the optimum value would be obtained by the retention of Dublin Port in its existing location combined with further expansion of the site.
The report said the closure of Dublin Port was “not justified on economic grounds” as the benefits of alternative land use were less than envisaged and would not justify the costs involved in moving such strategic infrastructure.
The study also questions any proposals to transform the current 532-acre port facility into a major suburban centre as it estimates that such a plan could cost €1 billion and take up to 100 years to complete.
It found the potential closure of Dublin Port would not justify the additional cost involved, notwithstanding the fact that it would provide major benefits for the city itself.
Despite its reservations about the possible relocation of the port, the report recommended that nothing should be done at policy level at this stage to hinder ongoing plans for the development of a new port at Bremore, located a short distance north of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, or the planned expansion of the existing port which is currently being assessed by An Bord Pleanála.
The planning authority recently decided to re-open public consultation on the proposal by the Dublin Port Company to infill 52 acres of Dublin Bay as part of its plans to construct new deep-water berth facilities.
Although a cost-benefit analysis concludes that there would be some potential benefits to the relocation or partial relocation of the existing port to Bremore in terms of the sustainability of Dublin city through reduced congestion and greater use of public transport, it claims the cost of such relocation would be “very significant”.
Any transfer of the existing facility to north Dublin would involve large capital costs, major business disruption and increased traffic, it claimed.
However, the report projects that traffic at Dublin Port will continue to fall this year and in 2010, with the busy levels recorded in 2007 unlikely to return until 2012 at the earliest.
It also recommends the need for significant additional port capacity by 2025-2030 because of the constraints posed by existing facilities.
The report, which was prepared by Indecon Consultants, was conducted under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
It highlights the strategic importance of Dublin Port to the economy as more than 40% of national tonnage passes through the facility. It also accounts for 75% of all ro-ro traffic and 64% of container traffic in the state as well as handling 45% of national oil imports.
Commenting on the report, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the port sector required long-term forward planning and analysis, notwithstanding the current downturn in traffic volumes. “The future of this port is not just a local or regional matter — it is of major strategic importance to the country as a whole,” he said.
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