Fuel distributors join ranks to develop €30m terminal

THREE of the largest fuel distributors outside of the greater Dublin area have joined ranks to develop one of Europe’s most advanced oil terminals at Foynes Port.

When completed, the €30 million terminal will have the capacity to supply up to 15% of the country’s fuel requirements.

Atlantic Fuel Supply Company (AFSC) — a joint venture company involving Inver Energy, East Cork Oil and Blackshore Holdings (Sweeney Oil) — will develop and operate at Foynes the largest deepwater oil terminal built in the country in more than 40 years.

Work on the greenfield site has already taken place and the project will be completed in August 2010. Some 120 people will be employed in the construction stage and 15 people will be employed full-time at the terminal.

AFSC managing director Chris O’Callaghan said: “It will provide a secure and reliable supply of products into the future for Irish consumers, especially in the Munster and mid-west region.”

Shannon Foynes Port company chairperson Kay McGuinness said the decision to locate the terminal at Foynes Port is a major vote of confidence in the capacity of and the Shannon Estuary.