A multi-million-pound investment at Drogheda Port, which will make its facilities among the most extensive in the State, was announced by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Woods, yesterday.
The development of a new 160-metre terminal two kilometres downstream of the existing town quays will allow larger ships to dock and attract considerably more business.
Investment of £2 million will see the construction of the new terminal at Tom Roes Point, on the north side of the Boyne. A further £4.4 million will be spent dredging a pocket alongside the quay which will mean that ships will be afloat during all tides. At the moment the port is close to the town, and there are restrictions on its development.
"This is a significant development, bringing Drogheda Port into the 21st century. It will eliminate a number of restrictions we have had to live with. It was a case that either Drogheda Port went forward or the port died, and we are ensuring the future of it as a commercial port with this investment," said Mr William Lennon, a company director.
The development will accommodate vessels of up to 4,500 tonnes, compared to 3,000 tonnes at present. In 1997 the Minister replaced the existing Harbour Commissioners in Drogheda with a semi-State company which has increased the commercial focus of the industry. The EU is providing £2.5 million of the investment of £6.5 million.
"This is just the first stage of a long-term development plan over the next five years. It is extremely important because the business of the port is currently heavily congested, and the infrastructure is not in place to allow further expansion within the current port confines," said Mr Seamus Davis, the company chairman.
The Minister welcomed the development, saying that by the millennium "Drogheda will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which will keep it to the forefront of Irish ports . . . It will clearly serve as a magnet for further industrial development and port-related industry."
