Cork needs port upgrade for cargo sector, planning hearing told

A failure to provide an extension to the existing deep water berth in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork would affect the Port of Cork's ability to service the needs of the cargo sector in the medium term, an oral hearing has heard.

Inspectors from An Bord Pleanála yesterday began listening to proposals by the port for a multi-million euro upgrade of its container terminal at Ringaskiddy.

The oral hearing is the second time the port authority has applied to An Bord Pleanála for a major upgrade at Ringaskiddy. Mark McConnell of RPS Consultants told the hearing a failure to construct new deep water container berthing facilities to address the ongoing trend towards larger container vessels would place the Port of Cork at an “operational and competitive disadvantage” due to the current physical constraints experienced at Tivoli container terminal.

An Taisce

An Taisce’s Tomás Bradley said the development would exacerbate the port’s dependence on oil. “The current proposal increases the Port of Cork’s contribution to global warming and fails to prepare the port with the resilience to thrive in a time of energy and climate uncertainty.”

Mr Bradley said the proposal would be contrary to the planning policies for the area and would militate against the achievement of longer term developments in the freight industry.

Des Cox, senior planning consultant with EirGrid, said he recognised the strategic importance of the proposed development and that it would address existing physical constraints on handling larger vessels. The hearing is expected to last several days.