Shannon-Foynes Port Company has been awarded over €2.3 million in EU funding under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). CEF funding supports projects on the EU’s Trans-European Networks in the fields of transport, energy and telecoms.
The funding awarded will support a feasibility study to prepare for future development of a new deep-water berth and associated infrastructure at Foynes Port, Limerick. The required infrastructure includes the construction of a bridge to link the new deep-water berth to the existing port area on the mainland. It will also consider internal rail infrastructure.
The Shannon Estuary counts among the largest gateway areas in Europe and is one of Ireland’s deep water ports, regularly facilitating large vessels. This development at the Port of Shannon-Foynes will generate a considerably higher level of freight traffic and enhance connectivity along the North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor.
Reacting to the funding announcement, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. said, “this is really positive news for Shannon-Foynes Port Company and for Ireland. International connectivity is critical for our economic development.”
“This feasibility study by Shannon-Foynes Port Company will provide the basis for a new deep water berth which can accommodate larger vessels and meet projected demand in the coming years. The project has also been designed to facilitate the potential role the port can play in the expansion of offshore wind energy in the future.”
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D. also welcomed the news, “at EU level, the port is part of both the Atlantic and North Sea – Mediterranean TEN-T Core Network Corridors. Irish ports continue to benefit from financial backing by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility programme. This award of over €2.3 million to Shannon-Foynes Port Company represents another strong signal of the important role the port and its hinterland areas play in the EU’s TEN-T network.”
