Competition Authority urges lease management overhaul at Dublin Port

The Competition Authority has called for a major overhaul of lease management at Dublin Port as part of recommendations aimed at improving competitiveness in the Irish ports sector.

In a study of current competition levels within the sector commissioned by Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton, the authority yesterday said port services in general “could be improved”.

With particular reference to practices at Dublin Port, the report recommends a substantial reduction in the duration of terminal operator leases. Load-on/load-off services in the capital are currently handled by three companies — Irish Continental Group’s Dublin Ferryport Terminals subsidiary; the British-owned Marine Terminals Ltd; and Burke Shipping Group, which is part of Cobh-based Doyle Shipping.