DUBLIN PORT Company has drawn up a draft long-term development plan that would allow for a doubling of trade by 2030.
The plan would involve the reclamation of between 31 and 40 hectares of land, which could prove controversial with local residents and environmental groups.
The plan also allows for an increase in Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll off) and Lo-Lo (load-on, load off) freight and cargo activities.
In addition, it would involve a cruise liner berth being built close to the East Link toll bridge.
Throughput at Dublin Port rose by 6.1 per cent in 2010, reversing a couple of years of decline. It handled 28.9 million tonnes last year, of which three-quarters was exports. The company is proposing to increase capacity to 60 million tonnes by 2040, equating to an annual average growth of 2.5 per cent. The State firm is also proposing to enhance areas neighbouring the port.
Chief executive Eamonn O’Reilly said Dublin Port had not added any new land in the last 30 years but in that time the volume of goods going through it had quadrupled. “We need to grow in a way which better integrates the port with the city.”
Minister for Transport and Tourism Leo Varadkar said a new plan for Dublin Port was “vital to ensure . . . investment and supporting tourism”.
The master plan has been put out to public consultation, with submissions sought by May 31st.
Meetings will be held in the area in coming weeks and Mr O’Reilly said he hoped to have a final plan ready by the end of this year.
