
Shannon Foynes Port, Ireland’s second largest port operator and largest bulk port company, has statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on a 500km2 area on the Shannon Estuary, stretching from Kerry to Loop Head to Limerick City.
Adjacent to the world’s busiest shipping routes, with current capacity to handle over 10 million tonnes annually and with water depths of up to 32m, we are uniquely positioned to expand as an international cargo hub serving the domestic, European and worldwide markets. This expansion will be accommodated by up to 1200 hectares of land available for Port development.
News & Events
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13 December 2022
Government’s backing for Shannon Estuary vision an essential vote of confidence – Shannon Foynes Port Monday, December 12, 2022: Shannon Foynes Port has welcomed government backing today of the Shannon Estuary as a premier location for offshore renewable energy as well as a transport hub for Ireland. The publication of the Interim Report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce has identified how the region can play a leading role in the transition to renewable energy by generating and accelerating the increase of floating offshore wind energy from 2030, as well as becoming a hub for Sustainable Transport Technologies and a western “Digital Gateway” to Europe. The report identifies investment in the port of Foynes and ESB’s Moneypoint terminal, a new auction for floating wind generation in 2024, the development of clean energy such as green hydrogen, solar energy installations and anerobic digestion facilities. In addition to the Estuary becoming an international renewable energy hub, the report also identifies the potential doubling of tourism numbers through outdoor sports and adventure, business and leisure events, and cruise ship arrivals. Commenting on the report and government backing of it, Shannon Foynes Port authority Chief Executive Pat Keating: “This is an emphatic and welcome vote of confidence from Government in the transformational potential of the estuary and a key moment in the journey towards the emergence here of a global renewable energy hub and national transport hub. “We have been making the case here at Shannon Foynes Port for some time in relation to the potential of the estuary but, as per its welcome today for the Interim Report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, the government is unambiguous in its support around the vision for the Estuary.” Mr Keating added: “In our recently updated Vision 2041 masterplan by global experts Bechtel, we set out a roadmap for the estuary as a renewable energy hub of international scale as we set about harnessing Europe’s best wind regime, which exists on the west coast. That’s the prize for this region and for Ireland, one that can transform our economy and our climate change journey. “We have a lot of work to do to make it happen, not least through investment in road, rail and port infrastructure. However, the backing today from government is a huge and essential statement of intent that we very much welcome.” Ends -
16 November 2022
Shannon Foynes Port welcomes Limerick to Foynes rail reinstatement Tuesday, November 15, 2022: Shannon Foynes Port Company Chief Executive Pat Keating has welcomed that the arrival of the first consignment of tracks at Foynes Port for the reinstatement works for the Limerick to Foynes rail as another positive moment in delivering on the unprecedented opportunity for the transformation of the Shannon Estuary into a global floating offshore wind energy and Irish supply chain hub. “Just ten days ago we launched our updated masterplan Vision 2041, setting out why the Shannon Estuary is best placed in Ireland and Europe to develop the Atlantic floating offshore wind industry and identified, among many other elements, the reinstatement of the rail link to Foynes as a key piece of supply-chain infrastructure for realising this opportunity. To be here less than a fortnight later watching the first tracks for the rail reinstatement programme loaded onto our port is a really positive signal of the intent around our plans. The enormous opportunity here will not be delivered without the support and involvement of key stakeholders. Iarnród Éireann is one of them and we are delighted to see this project getting underway.” Mr Keating added: “The regeneration of the Limerick to Foynes rail line is, along with the Adare to Foynes road, one of two key transport links essential for delivering on this incredible opportunity for the estuary. Not alone will it be crucial to the supply chain for the transformation of the estuary into a floating offshore wind generation supply-chain hub but it will enable Foynes Port to add substantial freight capacity to the national supply chain at an uncongested point in the national transport network and help unburden pressure on the congested Greater Dublin Area network.” Shannon Foynes Port has itself played a central role in the rail reinstatement project, securing €800,000 from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for a Feasibility and Detailed Design study in 2015. The Vision 2041 report, which was launched by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD, by international experts Bechtel set out a roadmap for Shannon Foynes Port to lead in helping Ireland meet its net zero obligations by 2050. The masterplan found that the Shannon Estuary would also contribute significantly to Europe’s efforts, through its REPowerEU plan, to unwind its dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports and accelerate the expansion of renewables. The full report can be downloaded here Vision 2041 Link. The potential electricity generation from the enormous renewable energy resource of the west coast winds can, the report estimates, deliver 30 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2050 - six times more than existing domestic demand. Significantly, this energy would also kick start a new industrial ecosystem based on the production of carbon free green electricity, hydrogen and derivatives, which will be transformational for Ireland by way of use for domestic electricity and e-fuels, electricity exports, and e-fuels exports. At peak, up to 120 floating turbines would be installed offshore per year. The economic impacts would also be far reaching with thousands of jobs created and billions of euros invested in supply chain and route-to-market infrastructure and facilities around the region. Ends -
09 November 2022
We’ve reached a milestone at Shannon Foynes Port, not just for ourselves as a port company, the estuary or wider region but also the nation and, indeed, Europe, with the launch of our updated masterplan Vision 2041 by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD last week. The report, which was carried out by global experts Bechtel, supports the development of offshore wind and explains how the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary - almost unrivalled in a European context - would not only facilitate the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale from Europe’s best wind regime on Ireland’s west coast but help decongest the Irish supply chain through the provision of road and rail linked container services. Here's a video that synopsizes the huge significance around the opportunity here. https://vimeo.com/769033766 -
04 November 2022
Masterplan puts Shannon Foynes Port on course to become international floating offshore wind energy hub Shannon Estuary has capacity to become major European logistics and trade centre, as well as contributor to Irish economy – international experts state Bechtel delivers port masterplan supporting Ireland’s emerging offshore wind industry Friday, 04 November 2022: The Shannon Estuary presents a unique opportunity and is best placed in Ireland and Europe to develop the Atlantic floating offshore wind industry and help the country reach its climate goals, according to a new report. The review of the Shannon Foynes Port Company’s Vision 2041 masterplan by global experts Bechtel supports the development of offshore wind and explains how the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary, almost unrivalled in a European context, would not only facilitate the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale from Europe’s best wind regime on Ireland’s west coast but help decongest the Irish supply chain through the provision of road and rail linked container services. It found that development of the Shannon Foynes Port would play a vital role in helping Ireland meet its net zero obligations by 2050. It would also contribute significantly to Europe’s efforts, through its REPowerEU plan, to unwind its dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports and accelerate the expansion of renewables. The potential electricity generation from the enormous renewable energy resource of the west coast winds can, the report estimates, deliver 30 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2050 - six times more than existing domestic demand. Significantly, this energy would also kick start a new industrial ecosystem based on the production of carbon free green electricity, hydrogen and derivatives, which will be transformational for Ireland by way of use for domestic electricity and e-fuels, electricity exports, and e-fuels exports. At peak, up to 120 floating turbines would be installed offshore per year. The economic impacts would also be far reaching with thousands of jobs created and billions of euros invested in supply chain and route-to-market infrastructure and facilities around the region. The report is structured around three main drivers for future growth and expansion:- Delivering floating offshore wind at scale
- Green industrial development and transition – facilitating alternative fuels (“e-fuels”) production
- Expanded, diversified and more sustainable logistics services
- turbine integration and pre-commissioning at Foynes Deepwater Port
- substructure assembly at Moneypoint
- wet storage at various locations within the Estuary
- Operations & Maintenance base at the Port of Foynes.
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20 October 2022
Shannon Foynes Port Company hosting Five Days of Events for the Second Annual Irish Port Safety Week
As a founding member of the Irish Port safety Forum Shannon Foynes Port Company is pleased to announce that we are proudly supporting and participating in the 2022 Irish Ports Safety Week running from the 24th – 28th October. All participating ports will be hosting Health and Safety related events at their respective ports throughout the week, and you can follow those events on the social media sites of the participating ports using #IrishPortSafetyWeek The themes of the Irish Port Safety Week at Shannon Foynes Port Company facilities will include:
- Road Safety
- Water Safety
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Emergency Response
- Employee Wellness
- Health & Safety Authority
- Irish Coast Guard
- Limerick City & County Council
- An Garda Síochána
- Road Safety Authority
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28 September 2022
Renewable energy opportunity off Shannon Estuary at European scale - German Ambassador & Dutch Ambassador Monday 26 September 2022: The renewable energy generation potential of the Shannon Estuary is beyond a domestic opportunity and very much at European scale, the Dutch and German Ambassadors to Ireland have concluded during a visit to Foynes. Dutch Ambassador to Ireland Adriaan Palm and German Ambassador to Ireland Cord Meier-Klodt visited the largest port and key enabler of the estuary’s planned transformation into a global renewable energy hub over the coming decades. The visit was at the invitation of Shannon Foynes Port Company, which has statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on the 500km2 Estuary. The estuary is earmarked as the supply-chain hub for realising Ireland’s enormous offshore wind opportunity off the west coast. That wind resource is estimated to be capable of generating up to 80GW of electricity – ten times our national requirement – for a mix of grid supply, storage, export or producing green hydrogen. Both Germany and The Netherlands have ambitious wind energy and green fuels generation plans and believe that the Shannon Estuary and Ireland is also on a path to contributing significantly to Europe’s energy mix in the decades ahead, such is the scale of the opportunity here. Said Ambassador Palm: “Our nations are on a common journey today. The Netherlands, Ireland and, indeed, the EU through the REPowerEU programme, see wind and green fuels as key components in the mix for tackling climate change and energy security. I’m delighted to have been able to come to Foynes to witness first-hand the potential here and it is enormous. It is at a scale that will impact way beyond domestic requirements but, I believe, can make a significant impact on the wider European energy mix.” Said Ambassador Meier-Klodt: “There is a great opportunity for us all to work together and create a panEuropean solution to energy security and climate change issues that are priorities for our individual nations and the European collective right now. Based on what we have seen and heard here at Foynes, the opportunity is such that domestic requirements can be met from here but with significant additional capacity beyond that for a mix of opportunities, including electricity or green fuels exports into a market that wants it, Europe. That means Ireland has the opportunity to become a leading international renewable energy exporter. If it realises that opportunity, it will be good news for Ireland and good news for Europe in terms of climate change, energy security and the economy.” Said Chairman of Shannon Foynes Port Company David McGarry: “We’re delighted to have welcomed the Dutch and German ambassadors. Their visit follows that of other high ranking political and official figures from across the EU as well as energy developers over recent months. There is growing awareness and consensus that the opportunity off the Shannon Estuary is enormous because of our proximity to what are among the best winds in the world here on the west coast, the deep water we have that is essential for building out turbines at the scale required to harvest these winds, the availability of port sites needed for this and more. The conclusion being drawn is that the Shannon Estuary and Ireland is set to become a global player in renewable energy generation. There’s a lot of work to do in terms of infrastructure and investment if that is to be achieved but momentum is most definitely building.” Ends -
31 August 2022
Foynes to Limerick road is key infrastructure for unlocking Estuary’s potential as global renewable energy and logistics hub – Shannon Foynes Port The Chief Executive of Shannon Foynes Port Company, Pat Keating, has said that the Foynes to Limerick road is a one of the key infrastructure elements that will assist in unlocking the Shannon Estuary’s potential as a global renewable energy and logistics hub. Welcoming the approval of the road by An Bord Pleanála today, Mr Keating said that it is imperative that the development of the road is prioritised so we can capitalise on the unprecedented opportunity for the State from both floating offshore wind and improving the capacity of the national supply chain. “The granting of approval for the road is a hugely welcome development as it is critical enabling infrastructure for realising the potential of the Shannon Estuary as a global floating offshore wind energy and associated alternative green fuels production, and logistics hub. “The opportunity for the Estuary is at a scale that will be transformative from an economic perspective for the region and, indeed, the State. Moreover, it will have national and international impact on the fight against climate change as we have an infinite supply of renewable energy in the Atlantic accessed from the Shannon Estuary. These renewable resources will not only serve Irish energy demand but can also support Europe in unwinding its dependence on Russian gas by the production of green alternative fuels. “But for all that to happen, we need to transform our port infrastructure and the 35km Limerick to Foynes road is an essential element of that. Together with the regeneration of the rail link from Limerick to Foynes, the contract for which is now out to tender, this will ensure the port has the type of connectivity essential for it to play this pivotal role in Ireland’s future. “The road already has government backing through the National Development Plan and now has approval from the relevant planning authority. But we must ensure that the project is prioritised and that we can move quickly through to final approval stage and, ultimately, to the development of the road.” Mr Keating said that the Foynes to Limerick road has been a priority for the port authority since the launch of our masterplan, Vision 2041, almost a decade ago. “Such is the opportunity for the Estuary now that we have engaged Bechtel, who are world leaders in strategic planning and development of ports, to update it. We see the granting of approval for the road as further validation of this opportunity.” He added: “This new road facilitates the sustainable development of the immense renewable energy resources in the Atlantic by properly connecting the adjoining deepwater port of Foynes on the Shannon Estuary and as such is so much more than a road. It’s key to unlocking our green energy future as well as providing resilience on the national supply chain. So the commitment of the Mid-West Road Design Office, Limerick City and County Council, the wider stakeholder community and, indeed, An Bord Pleanála for its careful consideration, must be acknowledged in getting us to this important juncture.” Ends -
16 August 2022
Shannon Foynes Port welcomes tender for Limerick to Foynes rail reinstatement Road commitment also essential if estuary is to become renewable energy and logistics hub Monday, August 15, 2022: Shannon Foynes Port Company Chief Executive Pat Keating has said that the regeneration of the Limerick to Foynes rail line is one of two transport links essential for delivering on the unprecedented opportunity for the estuary as a global floating offshore wind energy and transhipment hub. Welcoming the recent opening of an ‘expression of interest’ tender for works on the 42km line, Mr Keating said that the rail link will be of great benefit to the wider project but even more essential is the road link to Foynes. “The expression of interest tender is a very significant moment within our wider plans to capitalise on the unprecedented opportunity for the Shannon Estuary as it gives even greater certainty that this important rail connectivity is going to happen. This is a strategic move that will enhance connectivity to Foynes port but also help to decarbonise the supply chain by transferring significant cargo tonnages from road to rail. “However, the primary access to and from Foynes will still be road and it’s essential that the Foynes to Limerick road goes ahead as soon as possible. It will carry by far the majority of goods to and from Foynes, goods and materials that rail cannot accommodate. So, while we are delighted with announcement regarding the reinstatement of rail, we look forward to an early commitment, too, on the Foynes to Limerick road,” he said. He continued: “We appreciate the expediency regarding the rail reinstatement but it is essential, too, that we get moving on addressing our road infrastructure. Shannon Foynes is a Core Corridor Port under the EU’s Ten-t Regulations. These regulations require that upgraded hinterland connections, ie road and rail, are in place by 2030. “In addition, the Shannon Estuary can become an international floating offshore wind and related green fuels generation hub, but our current road network links are an impediment to that. We must move quickly, however, as time is not on our side when it comes to energy security and climate change. The Estuary can be an enabler for addressing those critical issues for not just Ireland but Europe, with transformative economic as well as environmental impact, but it won’t happen without the necessary infrastructure,” he said. Mr Keating added that the rail project is also very much endorsed at European level. “In 2015 we secured €800,000 from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for a Feasibility and Detailed Design study, including all associated consenting requirements, for the regeneration of the rail link in 2015. Those works were completed in 2019 and were part funded also by Shannon Foynes Port Company and undertaken by Irish Rail. As a result, the reinstatement of the 40km Limerick to Foynes line is now shovel ready so moving to this next ‘expressions of interest’ stage to realise this opportunity is a key moment,” he said. Ends -
27 July 2022
Annual report reveals that company is operating at historically high levels
Tuesday, 26 July 2022: Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has reported another very strong year in 2021, with record earnings achieved for the year and profit before taxation exceeding €5.2 million for the first time. The performance was down to a mix of recovery from Covid-19 impacts sooner than expected, a resurgent economy and the supply/demand imbalance in the energy generation sector, the report reveals. With tonnage throughputs increasing by 16% to 10.9 million tonnes, turnover increased by 23.8% to €16 million (2020: €12.9 million). Tonnages were particularly strong in the agriculture and construction sectors, with the export of cement and related imports growing strongly. Overall, SFPC’s general cargo terminals of Limerick and Foynes performed strongly, with year-on-year throughput increases of 9.9%, manifesting in these terminals now operating at historically high levels. In addition to throughput and turnover growth, stringent cost management remained a core focus resulting in returning a significantly improved EBITDA margin of 47.5% (2020: 42.9%) and historically high EBITDA of €7.6 million (2020: €5.6 million). Commenting on the performance, Shannon Foynes Port CEO Patrick Keating said that despite challenges of 2022, he remained confident about the company’s future: “Notwithstanding the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine, we remain confident that there are significant opportunities to grow and expand the Port at the operating level. With an expanded business development function, we have identified targeted areas that will drive revenue growth over the short, medium and long term.” Mr Keating said that Since 2011 - the base year of the company’s masterplan, Vision 2041 - tonnage at its general cargo terminals increased by 60%, even accounting for the COVID contraction. This performance is also reflected in the company’s balance sheet, with net assets increasing by 281% to €54m since 2010 and with annual net operating cashflow increasing by over 170% over the same period. Mr Keating said that due to the increased tonnage throughputs projected in Vision 2041, the ongoing roll-out of the company’s investment programme is continuing at pace. Following the completion of Phase 1 at a cost of €12m, construction has now commenced on Phases II through to IV. These phases, costing a total of €33m, will involve construction of 117m of new quay to join the East and West Jetties, infilling for associated quay set down together with the development of 38 hectares site at Foynes as a port business park. These represent the largest capital projects ever undertaken by the Company and are scheduled to complete in 2023. Mr Keating said that the company will have a significant part to play in assisting the country’s transition to a low carbon economy due to its role as an international offshore renewable energy hub. “Our medium-term Capital Investment Program has been reviewed to ensure that the Port will have the necessary capacity for the medium term to accommodate this transition, particularly with regard to offshore renewables and deep water berth capacity,” he said. Commenting on the results, David McGarry, Chairperson of SFPC said: “The year not only recorded great financial success but also notable progress on several fronts with regards to SFPC’s Strategic Plan. With SFPC making strides internally, it also remains one of the foremost economic drivers for the Mid-West Region.” Mr McGarry said that the Board had made significant progress on realising the objectives of the Strategic Plan 2021–2025. The company has now updated its objectives with the drafting of a 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which has been delivered to the Department of Transport and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the report expected to be approved soon. ENDS -
28 June 2022
Shannon Foynes Port Company strategy in keeping with RePower EU and The Green Deal plans – leading European Commission official states Professor Péter Balázs says port authority on right track during visit to Foynes Professor Péter Balázs, European Coordinator in the framework of a key European Commission transport infrastructure development programme, has said that Shannon Foynes Port Company’s long term plans to become an international renewable energy hub are fully aligned with EU policy. Professor Péter Balázs, European Coordinator for the North Sea-Mediterranean Core Network Corridor, said that the very ambitious plans of the Shannon Estuary port authority align with the overarching EU Green Deal strategy to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050 and the more recent RePower EU plan to transition away from dependency on Russian fossil fuel. Speaking following a visit to Foynes, during which he was updated on progress in relation to projects jointly funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Professor Balázs said that future funding applications must fit a number of key criteria, not least the importance of the wider project to Europe. Shannon Foynes Port Company’s plans, he said, go in the right direction. Professor Balázs was also briefed about the porty authority’s plan to put in place €300m plus of essential infrastructure, to enable the Shannon Estuary to become a global renewable energy player and exporter of clean energy and fuels into Europe, as well as develop unitised cargo activity. “This is my third visit to Foynes and I have been following the progress on its very ambitious plans very closely for several years and have been hugely impressed. When selecting projects, with regard to how best use the funding at disposal, the European Commission considers several key points, one of which is the European dimension of projects. Certainly, high on the agenda now is keeping with the EU’s The Green Deal. Other influencers now are, of course, adapting to the consequences of Brexit, which has fundamentally changed the geopolitical position of Ireland, the pandemic, which has interrupted many important supply changes, and now we have the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Shannon Foynes Port’s strategy meets these requirements. When we came here first, Shannon Foynes was not on the map of the EU, but it was on the map of our long term thinking. We have extended the North Sea - Mediterranean corridor, which I am in charge of, to include Shannon Foynes, which increases the value of the Irish infrastructure. “The complex thinking that is being engaged in here is ultimately in keeping with improving the environmental conditions all across Europe by facilitating the generation of renewables, using modern fuels, saving energy, transforming the modal composition of transport by pushing freight from road to rail and water. There is a very special emphasis on The Green Deal objectives and what’s happening here aligns with that.” Ireland’s focus on becoming an exporter of green energy and fuels arising from floating offshore wind generation, Professor Balázs added, reflects very positively on its relationships within the Europe. “Ireland has been showing a good example. It is a good model in European cooperation. Something every member state could and should do is deepen integration within Europe, because in the fact of all the challenges we have today, it's important to strengthen cooperation and Ireland is a good partner in that sense,” he added. Shannon Foynes Port Company Chief Executive Pat Keating said that the visit was a timely validation of its strategy. “It’s five years since we had the opportunity to host Professor Balázs here and it was an opportunity for us to showcase the very positive impact of the funding we have received so far through the Connecting Europe Facility. The Connecting Europe Facility is a critical funding partner for us as we seek to put in place the infrastructure to realise the unprecedented opportunity we have from offshore renewables. This is opportunity is critical for the region, for the State but will also enable Ireland to become a significant contributor to the EU’s The Green Deal and RePower EU. We will be seeking EU funding for what we are trying to do but will be making a return back to Europe on that investment at a level perhaps not previously seen.” ENDS
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