Conference to discuss upward trajectory of harbour

There’s a crane right on the doorstep of the country’s Maritime College: it’s a sign of upward trajectories for Cork harbour, at the site of UCC’s new Beaufort Research Centre, as it prepares to host a conference Friday week on the harbour’s future.

The day-long session, titled Energising the Region, is hosted by Energy Cork and IMERC, at the National Maritime College of Ireland Campus, Ringaskiddy.

Under discussion will be the harbour’s role in national energy supply and, also appropriately on the local skyline, are the three large wind vanes erected in early 2014, on the site of three harbour-side pharma plants.

The harbour’s evolution from trading centre, emigration base and traditional industries to modern port, hosting major employers, tourism projects, innovation, energy and power generation will also come into focus, as well as the need for collaboration and community development, the organisers say.

Speakers include Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Defence, Simon Covene; John Mullins, chairman of Port of Cork; John Killeen, Chair of Galway Volvo Ocean Race Group and Gordon McIntosh, Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, Aberdeen City Council..