Dublin Port Study
Client: Department of Transport
MDS Transmodal in association with Indecon has been appointed to undertake a study of options for the long-term development of the Port of Dublin.
Dublin Port is the largest seaport in Ireland and its volume of seaborne trade has grown rapidly in recent years. As a major piece of Ireland's productive infrastructure, the long-term success and development of Dublin Port will be vital to that of the Irish economy and particularly to the international competitiveness of the Irish economy, which is now top of the agenda in terms of the Government's economic priorities.
In view of the fact that the future of Dublin Port is of major strategic importance to Ireland, under the Ports Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, the Government has proposed to undertake a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port, in the context of overall ports policy on the island of Ireland, wider transport policy, urban regeneration policy, the NSS and the NDP 2007-2013.
A key issue facing Dublin Port is capacity and, recognising that further growth in the volume of trade passing through Dublin Port is limited by existing capacity, part of the aim of this project to examine the feasibility of various options relating to ways in which Dublin Port may enhance its capacity and therefore continue to grow into the future.
The ToR also make clear that the study "will examine the feasibility and conduct a cost benefit analysis of various scenarios relating to Dublin Port, including:
- i. Relocating all or part of Dublin Port's existing activities to an alternative location(s);
- ii. Existing port activities continuing to expand with demand;
- iii. Port activities continuing at current levels with growth being catered for at alternative locations".
The study will also tale account of the "findings of the study on the role of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Port Area commissioned by Dublin City Council".
Indecon is the lead consultant for the study. MDS Transmodal will undertake reviews of port capacity and traffic forecasts, and modelling of inland freight transport under different scenarios of port development.
The study is due to report in early 2009.