Whitegate oil refinery of ‘strategic energy importance’ to Ireland

The Port of Cork is partially “insulated” from future developments at Whitegate oil refinery but has a clear preference for it to remain operational, according to its chairman.

The refinery’s future continues to hang in the balance as the obligation on its owner Phillips 66 to operate the facility until July 2016 draws closer.

The ongoing uncertainty is cause for concern for the port which counts on Whitegate for 55% of its freight traffic.