Business

Warrenpoint Port to invest £3m to drive post-Brexit growth

CEO at Warrenpoint Port, Clare Guinness said the latest investment is required to keep pace with growth plans.
CEO at Warrenpoint Port, Clare Guinness said the latest investment is required to keep pace with growth plans. CEO at Warrenpoint Port, Clare Guinness said the latest investment is required to keep pace with growth plans.

WARRENPOINT Port is to invest £3 million in its facilities to drive further growth in the post-Brexit era.

The north's second largest post is making the significant investment through the purchase of a new crane and refurbishment of two others and it is expected that the outlay will help improve efficiency and increase capacity.

The new 300 tonne crane will be built and supplied by Finnish manufacturer Konecranes at its site in Dusseldorf, Germany and will have the capacity to lift loads up to 100 tonnes to a height of 42m above quay level.

CEO at Warrenpoint Port, Clare Guinness said the latest investment is required to keep pace with growth plans.

"The new crane will significantly boost operations at Warrenpoint by allowing for the speedier loading and unloading of goods, as well as reducing downtime.We are also investing significant capital to refurbish two of our existing cranes at the Port to ensure they will continue to serve our customers for many years to come," she said.

“The investments are being made to facilitate further growth at the Port as we gear up for trade in the post-Brexit era. They will also strengthen our position as a catalyst for economic growth in our community as we aim to boost the prosperity of local people and businesses.”

Warrenpoint reported a record year in 2017, handling 3.56 million tonnes of cargo including grain, timber, steel and cement, valued at £6.2 billion, while earlier this year it unveiled an ambitious 25-year growth plan, which forecasts an 80 per cent increase in freight business by 2040.

The master-plan document, which covers 2018 to 2043, aims to build on the Co Down port’s position as the second largest port in the north and as a major economic driver for the region.

The draft document outlines key objectives including upgrading transport links to the port, improving port capacity and facilities, maintaining and growing its customer base and developing improved linkages with Warrenpoint town. The document identifies several key priorities for achieving these lofty goals, including the delivery of the Southern Relief Road, the redevelopment of the Town Dock in Warrenpoint Town Square and providing open public access to an expanded marina.