Plans for new passenger ferry service in Cork Harbour now on hold

Portus Greenway Limited CEO Aidan Coffey warned that plans to build three bridges over the River Lee, if completed, "will sterilise the quays, with no naval ships or tall ships being able to get into the quays".

CGI configuration of the proposed Harbour Link commuter and passenger ferry planned for Cork city and harbour.

A proposed new €80m zero-emissions passenger ferry service for Cork Harbour — announced last year to some fanfare — is now on indefinite hold.

Last May, Portus Greenway Limited, trading as Harbour Link, announced it was in the advanced stages of planning for the project.

At the time, the company’s CEO, Aidan Coffey, said he hoped to lodge planning applications within six to 12 months, with a view to the first all-electric ferry sailing by early to mid-2027.

Now, Mr Coffey has said the proposed ferry service — which had been envisaged as carrying up to 1.5m passengers annually — is on hold.

He said he has been forced to pause his plans pending the publication of a study on river usage in the city, and clarification on the building of three new bridges across the River Lee.

“Cork City Council and the Cork Docklands have decided to do a river usage study after the fact that they’ve already designed in three new bridges, and now they want to see who actually wants to use the river,” he said.

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The river use survey was commissioned last year by Cork City Council and the Cork Docklands delivery office, and a council spokesperson said it is nearing completion, with the report projected to be published in early autumn.

The plan for three new bridges was first publicised during a public consultation period for variations to the Cork City Development Plan to facilitate development in the docklands.

The first of three crossings would be a light rail, pedestrian ,and cyclist bridge linking Kent Station with the South Quays. An active travel bridge would connect the North Quays with the South Docklands. The third crossing, called an eastern gateway bridge, would connect the Lower Glanmire Rd with Monahan Rd.

Mr Coffey said it is his understanding that the light rail bridge and the active travel bridge would both be level with the quays.

The proposed map for the Harbour Link ferry.

Portus Greenway Limited CEO Aidan Coffey beside the River Lee, Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins

“Our ferries would have a problem with both bridges,” he said. “They will sterilise the quays, with no naval ships or tall ships being able to get into the quays.” 

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said it had not received a planning application for any aspect of Mr Coffey’s proposed ferry service, but he would first need to apply for a marine area consent (MAC) from the Marine Area Regulatory Authority.

Asked by text whether he had applied for an MAC, Mr Coffey did not reply.