Port move paves way for docks renewal

Tommy Barker, Property editor

The company is starting pre-planning work for a transfer to its Ringaskiddy land bank. It has been earmarked for investment in excess of E200m, said Port of Cork chief executive Brendan Keating.

And, in gradually vacating its operations by the Customs House, bonded warehouses (currently the centre of legal dispute), the north and south jetties and in Tivoli, it will free up strategically important sites for Cork city’s ambitious docklands renewal.

Yesterday, the Port of Cork advertised for tenders for marine site investigations at Ringaskiddy, and is seeking a foreshore licence for this activity.

Its strategic development plan of 2002 identified Ringaskiddy as a primary location for growth and development, with excellent deep water access.

Having assessed other options, such as IFI’s site at Marino Point, the Port of Cork is to significantly expand its facilities in Ringskiddy, to cater for growth in unitised or containerised goods, and will look at new Ro-Ro facilities, as well as bulk goods.

The move to go to tender for site investigations is the first stage along a path aimed at relocating significant activities to Ringaskiddy by 2008, according to Mr Keating.

He said there would be a deficit in facilities in the port by 2008 unless such a move was in train.

“If we are to be of value to the region, we have to be in a position to grow,” he said, noting that space was running out at the container site at Tivoli.

Some funding will come from strategic land sales in the docks, he indicated, but he added a schedule for such sales had not been set.

Environmental issues will be addressed in an environmental impact assessment, and a planning application will not be made until next year, Mr Keating said.

Consultants RPS have been drafted in to advise on a development plan for Ringaskiddy, and stakeholders and residents would be kept informed, he added.

Improved road access will be vital, Mr Keating noted, and Cork County Council has been working on road plans for the harbour area, already a major regional employment centre.

A study in 2002 showed that the port accounted for over E25.2 billion in exports, and about E10bn in imports, supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

The port’s own strategic development plan and the Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) have dovetailed on opportunities the move will provide for the city’s existing docklands and their regeneration.