Port of Cork to apply for EU funding

THE Port of Cork is preparing to submit an application for EU funding for the establishment of a shipping link with northern Spain.

Officials from the Port of Gijon came to Cork for a meeting yesterday to discuss the final details of the submission which will be made under the EU-funded “PROPOSSE” project. This project is designed to promote the creation of new short sea routes.

The project is being led the Gijon Port Authority and other participants include the ports of Le Havre, Poole and Aviero in Portugal.

Cork Chamber of Commerce members also took part in yesterday’s talks.

Sara Dymond, spokeswoman for the Port of Cork, said the EU is anxious to use short sea routes to remove thousands of trucks from already congested European roads.

At present, businesses shipping goods from Spain to the south of Ireland use haulage companies which are forced to travel into France and across to England before getting another ferry from Wales.