#rosslare – Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, has held the first meeting of a new Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Europort, with representatives of port customers (shipping companies), the local authority, business and tourism locally, hauliers, fishing, employees and Europort management.
On Wednesday 22nd July, Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive David Franks and Rosslare Europort General Manager John Lynch hosted the first meeting of the Group. The role of the Advisory Group, which is to meet quarterly, includes:
- To monitor progress in the assessment of market interest in a concession with a third party to operate the Europort
- To represent the interests of stakeholders within that process
- To facilitate the ongoing development of the Europort
At the meeting, the stakeholders were briefed on the recommendations of a study by Indecon Consultants for the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport which examined strategic options for the future of the Europort, to maximise its potential and address future investment requirements. The report recommended that the Europort remain in the ownership of Iarnród Éireann, but with a long term concession with a third party.
The market consultation process to assess interest and evaluate opportunities from a concession structure was outlined, as were investment options for the future development of the Europort, which the concession proposal is designed to support. Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a tender process for advisory support to assess market interest.
Rosslare Europort is Ireland's second busiest in terms of ship visits and unitised freight, and is designated as one of only five ports of national significance in the National Ports Policy. The Port has recorded growth of 4% in freight units in 2015 to date, on top of 2% growth in 2014.
Organisations represented on the Stakeholder Advisory Group include:
- Wexford County Council
- Visit Wexford
- Wexford Chamber
- Irish Exporters' Association
- IBEC
- Stena Line
- Irish Ferries
- Irish Road Haulage Association
- Inshore Fishermen's & Small Boat Owners Association
- SIPTU (Europort employees)
Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive David Franks said of the Stakeholder Advisory Council "while we are the Port Authority at Rosslare Europort, we are keenly aware of its strategic importance nationally and for the region. We are pleased therefore to establish this Stakeholder Advisory Council to ensure that all with an interest in the development of the Europort have a voice as we chart its future strategic direction, and work to secure investment to maximise its potential."
