Port of Cork's elite standards, competive on global stage
The Port of Cork is Ireland’s second-largest port, with a consolidated traffic throughput of 8.9 million tonnes annually.
That old nautical phrase – ‘anchors aweigh’ – is very appropriate to the fair economic winds presently lifting the fortunes of the Port of Cork.
Its recently released 2024 Annual Report recorded a year of strategic growth, forward planning, and robust operations at the State’s second-largest port. The report showcases strong operational performance for the port authority with a consolidated traffic throughput of 8.9 million tonnes and returning a Group turnover of €52.1 million, an increase of €3.7 million on the previous year.
“Given the geopolitical uncertainty at the beginning of 2025 around tariffs, there was concern around how the year’s trading might be affected In fact, the first half of the year turned out to very busy, with solid trade and positivity across all of our business,” said Ann Doherty, chief executive officer, who brings over 30 years of experience in public sector leadership and operations management, including a decade-long tenure as chief executive of Cork City Council.
“Amid a period of global trade uncertainty, the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is working to ensure that Ireland and the southern region remain competitive on the international stage. This requires continuously evolving our port infrastructure and facilities to meet world-class standards, enabling us to support and service our customers efficiently and seamlessly as part of the global supply chain.”
2025 presents as another link in the Port’s chain of historical change as it is planning to move its port operations downstream and consolidating all activities in the lower harbour by 2050.
The move from the current 142-acre Tivoli site to Ringaskiddy is an ongoing multi-decade plan and is essential to facilitate increasing global vessel sizes, provide consolidated, efficient and sustainable operations and ensure the global connectivity of the southern region.
A key highlight of 2024 was securing the necessary funds to future-proof port operations through the development of a new multi-purpose berth, CORE1.
This milestone project will make the Port of Cork the first port in the Republic to deliver dedicated quay facilities for the offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector through a state-of-the-art development. Construction of the €100 million CORE1 facility is underway, and it is expected that it will be ready for the ORE market in late 2027.
The development is being supported by significant funding from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), and direct investment from the PoCC.
“PoCC has a strong track record of successful delivery on key infrastructure projects stretching back to the 1970’s and continuing right up to the present day," said Anne Doherty. “We are committed to working with the government and all relevant stakeholders and partners to strengthen Ireland’s energy security, and we are set to become the first port in the region to deliver dedicated quay facilities for the offshore renewable energy sector. We will have a berth that has the weight-bearing capabilities for the deployment of these offshore towers.
“As Ireland’s first and only dedicated onshore infrastructure site for the offshore renewable energy sector, this development firmly places Cork at the forefront of the nation’s clean energy transition. The Port also has proposed a location for the Cork LNG Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU). Situated strategically close to existing energy networks, the FSRU would play a vital role in securing Ireland’s energy supply during the transition to offshore wind and other renewables, ensuring continuity, resilience, and long-term sustainability for the country’s future energy needs. It certainly is an exciting time for the company to be able to do this for Ireland and the Munster region.”
Looking ahead, she envisions the port as an energy hub, building on its existing role with a more sustainable vision while meeting both current and future energy needs.
“The construction of the CORE1 facility will enable us to support the large-scale offshore wind projects planned for the Irish and Celtic Seas.”
The possible future development of the Port’s land at Marino Point is another string to its maritime bow into the future.
As the only port in Ireland with a dedicated cruise berth in Cobh, the Port of Cork can also handle cruise liners in Ringaskiddy and along the City Quays.
The natural entry point to many of Ireland’s principal visitor attractions, it welcomed over 170,000 passengers on 90 cruise ships in 2025, with an additional 13 cruise calls to Bantry Bay. Cruise tourism remains a major driver of the local economy, generating an estimated €17 million in revenue, underscoring the sector’s strong economic impact on the region.
“Cruise is a very specific business, given we have the only dedicated cruise berth. We are slightly down on numbers this year, which was mainly down to weather conditions that prevailed right across these islands.”
Cruise Ireland, of which Ann is chair, is a cooperative formed to promote the island of Ireland as a premier cruise destination, and functions as a collective of port authorities, tourism bodies and related businesses working together to attract cruise line business.
Cruise Ireland, together with Cruise Britain, were awarded the coveted ‘Destination of the Year’ award at the 2025 Seatrade Cruise Awards. Celebrating excellence across the global cruise industry, it marked the first time the region has received this internationally recognised honour.
“This award is a testament to the combined efforts of Cruise Ireland, Cruise Britain, our tourism partners, and communities in creating a world-class welcome for cruise guests. Winning this accolade reinforces our reputation as a must-visit destination and highlights the unique cultural experiences, warm hospitality, and operational excellence that make the region so special.”
Against the backdrop of partnering with Cruise Britain to promote ‘The British Isles’, she added the award “is further proof of what can be achieved when organisations on both sides of the Irish Sea join forces to deliver exceptional experiences for cruise passengers and lasting benefits for local communities.”
In July 2025, PoCC and Independent Container Line (ICL) celebrated five years of operations in their transatlantic partnership, which offers the only direct shipping route connecting Ireland to the USA.
Over the past five years, 245 ICL vessels have travelled a total of 1.8 million nautical miles between Cork and the US East Coast – the equivalent of nearly 85 trips around the world. Fixed weekly sailings offer a direct route to Chester, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, North Carolina as the first calls, offering a faster and more reliable transit time for Irish exporters.
“This milestone represents more than just a successful shipping route – it is a symbol of enduring partnership, trust, and mutual growth. In today’s evolving geopolitical climate, it’s more important than ever that we focus on strengthening our connections. Our collaboration with ICL, our valued customers, and our transatlantic partners reinforces Cork’s role as a strategic gateway for trade.”
These trans-Atlantic sailings offer direct connectivity to a global supply chain, particularly for Foreign Direct Investment. Many of the POCC’s top customers are from industries such as Med-Tec, Pharma, IT, chemical and Agri-Food, accounting for €145 billion of manufacturing and supporting over 45,000 jobs directly in the southwest region.
“Ninety percent of all goods that come on and off the island of Ireland come by sea. We are looking at more routes like this, not just to the USA, but also to Canada and other countries, and we are in conversations about different opportunities that might present in that regard.”
With a history dating back to September 21st 1814, when the Cork Harbour Commissioners held their first meeting, the Port of Cork has played a vital role in not just the economic development of the region, but also an integral asset in its social and community affairs.
“Heritage, community and sustainability are at the heart of our company. We have been a company since 1997, and prior to that the Harbour Commissioners dating back to 1814. Everything we do is deeply embedded in the local marine community, and we have a dedicated liaison community officer and work very closely with marine charities, schools and business groups – effectively everybody connected with the harbour to ensure we are all in step.
“The Port activities are heavy, with lots of movement, and which have an impact on the local community. For that reason, we listen very carefully to our local communities and try to mitigate against issues in advance where we can. We value our local communities at the Port of Cork, and without their support our work would not be possible. We aim to give back to them in any way we can.”
Looking to the future, Ann Doherty is confident that the Port of Cork Company will continue to expand and develop as the vital maritime asset supporting the economic health of both its hinterland and the nation.
“In terms of the economic predictions and population growth for the island of Ireland, ports are even more important going forward. And not just in the important function of goods going in and out, but also from an energy perspective. Cork is well positioned to facilitate both of those, and the Port of Cork Company will play its part in meeting those challenges and opportunities.”
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