Image:Andrew Watchorn
Dublin Port Company (DPC) has announced the inauguration of Terminal 4 (T4), a RoRo freight terminal with a price tag of €127 million. The terminal, which was officially launched by Minister of State, Jack Chambers, TD,signifies a significant leap forward in Dublin Port’s ambitious plan to enhance cargo handling capabilities up to 2040.
Financed entirely by DPC and completed within budget and schedule, T4 is poised to handle a staggering 220,000 RoRo units annually. This accounts for over 20% of all RoRo units at Dublin Port based on 2022 volumes, cementing its position as the leading port for RoRo freight in the Republic of Ireland.
T4’s impressive capacity is achieved by reconfiguring 4.1 hectares of existing port lands, providing a more efficient space for handling unaccompanied RoRo units between Europe and the UK. This development comes at a critical time of rising demand for unaccompanied RoRo freight services post-Brexit, especially to and from the bustling Dublin market.
Additionally, T4’s establishment has paved the way for a new transhipment route to Santander, further expanding Dublin Port’s international reach.
No Repro Fee. T4, a new €127m freight terminal, at Dublin Port. It marks a major milestone in the delivery of the ABR Project, the first of three major capital development projects under Dublin Port Company’s Masterplan to futureproof Dublin Port’s cargo handling capacity to 2040. The terminal will handle more than 220,000 RoRo units annually, which equates to over one-fifth of all RoRo units at Dublin Port based on 2022 volumes and more RoRo freight per annum than any other port in the Republic of Ireland.
T4 brings a fresh lease of life to Dublin Port’s infrastructure, incorporating 3 kilometers of new quay walls. This upgrade enables direct ferry routes between Dublin and Liverpool/Heysham, operated by Seatruck. The project also involved the removal of an aging jetty, replaced by two cutting-edge jetties, each stretching 270 meters. These jetties are designed to accommodate the largest ferries, measuring up to 240 meters in length, and have been future-proofed for shore-to-ship power capabilities in the years ahead.
Minister of State, Jack Chambers, TD, lauded the achievement, emphasizing Dublin Port’s pivotal role as Ireland’s foremost freight and passenger port. He highlighted that the port handles over half of the nation’s tonnage, with a substantial share in the unitised freight sector.
Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing Dublin’s position as one of Europe’s most efficient ports. With T4 now operational, the port is operating at an impressive 91% average capacity. O’Connell stressed the urgency of proceeding with the Masterplan 2040 projects to create the necessary capacity to support the country’s economic growth up to 2040.
Notably, the development of T4 has allowed for the closure of an entrance onto East Wall Road, clearing the way for DPC’s Liffey Tolka Greenway project, set to commence construction in 2024. This initiative will transform East Wall Road, providing a dedicated 1.4km cycle and pedestrian route, a crucial component of the overall Masterplan’s 16.5km cycleway/walkway network.
This marks another stride in DPC’s mission to make Dublin Port an accessible and enjoyable venue for all.
