Warrenpoint Port
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council explains why Warrenpoint Port is aiming to be the preferred location for the import and export of goods in and out of the island of Ireland.
Constructed in the late 1770s with the assistance of public funds, it wasn’t until 1971 that the port was sold to the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. Until 1971 Warrenpoint Port acted as a lightering port for the Port of Newry and jointly these ports handled approximately half a million tonnes of cargo annually. Now, Warrenpoint Port handles five time as much cargo on an annual basis.
The ports main strengths are its location and the services it offers. Located midway along the main economic corridor on the island of Ireland and within sixty minutes of either Dublin or Belfast. It is able to handle commodities similar to those handled in the much larger ports of Belfast, Dublin and Cork.
Working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
The port has a long-standing working relationship with the local Council. It is a requirement under the port’s legislation that three councillors (from a current total of ten board members) sit on the board of the Port Authority. A liaison committee between local councillors, council officials and port executives has also been in place for many years in order to discuss issues arising from the interaction of the Port with the local community.
A very recent collaboration that has emerged from this liaison committee and relevant stakeholders is the promotion of cruise ship visits to the port. The first visit of a cruise ship to the port occurred last year when the Saga Pearl II berthed in July. The Council, Warrenpoint Port and Point Shipping are hoping to build on this achievement and three cruise ships are planned to call in May, June and July 2016.
The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority is also collaborating with the Council on major capital schemes such as Warrenpoint Marina, Warrenpoint Baths and Warrenpoint Park developments. The Marina project is shovel ready and it is hoped that a funding package can be secured to deliver this multi-million pound project in the District.
Another Record Year for Warrenpoint Harbour
A new record for tonnage handled at Warrenpoint Port was achieved in the last financial year and annual turnover also reached the £5 million mark for the first time. The boost in business activities port side has been reflected by an increase in the work force with over 200 people now in employment by the Harbour Authority.
A bright future
A planning application has already been put in place for the construction of seven tanks to hold carbon dioxide for the food and drink sectors in Ireland. Another significant project that will commence during 2015 is the construction of a silo for the temporary storage of cement.
A major focus for the port during the coming year will be the continued campaign to highlight the need for a by-pass road to facilitate traffic from the A1 accessing the South Down area. Finance Director Kieran Grant: “Figures released by IMDO show that Warrenpoint is now the 4th busiest container port on the island after Dublin, Belfast and Cork. The report also noted that Warrenpoint has now had four successive years of container growth to the end of 2014.”
Enterprise, Regeneration & Tourism Department, Newry Mourne and Down District Council
Greenbank Industrial Estate
Newry, Co Down, BT34 2QU
Council: 0300 013 2233
Planning: 0300 200 7830
Direct line: 028 3031 3203
www.newrymournedown.org
www.facebook.com/nmdcouncil
www.twitter.com/nmdcouncil
For port enquires:
Kieran Grant FCMA, CGMA
T: 0(44)28 4177 3381
W: www.warrenpointharbour.co.uk
