‘Masterplan’ outlined to develop busy port

THE first-ever “masterplan” to develop one of the country’s busiest ports was outlined yesterday.

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) announced public consultation with the port’s stakeholders and interested parties as the first part of the process.

The proposed 30-year-old plan aims to capitalise on significant growth potential of the port and estuary, which encompasses 500 square kilometres.

The SFPC Masterplan Achieving the Vision 2041 will guide the development of the ports and give port users, stakeholders and the community a clear picture of the ports’ plans and requirements for the future.

Stakeholders and members of the public will have an opportunity to contribute to the proposed framework — which the company says “will essentially define the long-term economic activity of the estuary as the company delivers on its role as a key economic driver for the mid-west region”.

The company’s chief executive Patrick Keating said yesterday: “Having recorded one of the company’s most successful ever years in 2010, we anticipate that the upward curve for the Shannon Foynes Port Company is going to continue in the long-term.

“Our projections suggest that throughput at the port company will increase significantly in the lifetime of the masterplan so the plan itself will be essential in ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to facilitate this growth.

“Shannon Foynes Port Company is one of the key economic engines of this region and facilitates international trade valued at over €6 billion per annum.

“It is, therefore, essential that we put in place a clear vision for making sure the company can continue to deliver for the estuary, region and nation.”

The plan will also examine improvements to road and rail access to and from the port and the likely requirements to deliver such key infrastructure.

The company is likely to review the existing land bank and identify property for relevant zoning and future uses, including through public-private partnerships.

The port company, with responsibility for marine activities on the Shannon Estuary, is seeking submissions from all interested parties.

It said all submissions will be evaluated for likely inclusion in the masterplan, which is expected to be finalised by late next year.

A number of open days will be held in both Limerick and Foynes later this month to allow for public engagement in the consultation process.

When completed, the land zoning and strategic infrastructure elements of the plan will be combined with the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary to make up the greater masterplan.