Warrenpoint Port has made an investment of £800,000 in new plant that will significantly improve efficiency at Northern Ireland’s second largest harbour.

Authorities at the port have taken delivery of the first wave of the new fleet which will include seven forklift trucks.

Eoin O’Mahony, Head of Engineering and Estates, Warrenpoint Port said: “This investment in new plant is just the latest step in our drive to maximise efficiency across all our operations and it is a great pleasure to accept the first tranche of the new consignment that will be fully complete by September.

“The new forklifts will have a broad range of lifting capabilities allowing us to handle the full spectrum of commodities that pass through the port from timber, to steel and beyond.”

The new forklifts, manufactured by Hyster, have lifting capacities ranging from 5 to 16 tonnes, while the harbour has also taken delivery of a new Bobcat loader.

The investment follows the purchase of a new crane in 2018 while two further cranes have also been refurbished in recent months.

Ian Taylor, Operations Manager, Warrenpoint Port, added:

“The amount of goods passing through Warrenpoint is growing year-on-year and we expect that trend to continue.

“Continually reviewing our operational requirements and investing in new plant and equipment when needed ensures that we maintain the high quality of service that our customers expect, providing for a cost-effective and expeditious transit of goods through the harbour.”

Warrenpoint Port handed a record 3.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2018, valued at £6.5 billion.

Last year, harbour authorities unveiled a 25-year masterplan that forecast a significant increase in trade over the coming decades including a rise by up to 80% of core roll on, roll off freight by 2040.