August 2018
Work has started on the construction of a new crane at Warrenpoint Port following a £3 million investment.
The investment forms part of a bid to facilitate further growth ahead of Brexit and beyond at Northern Ireland’s second largest port.
The crane, which is supplied by Finnish manufacturer Konecranes, will significantly improve efficiency by reducing loading and unloading times with the ability to lift 100 tonnes up to 42 metres above sea level.
Clare Guinness, CEO, Warrenpoint Port commented:
“It is an exciting time for Warrenpoint Port as construction of our latest crane addition begins, enabling us to further improve our already high standards of service to customers.
“The purchase of the Model 3 Mobile Harbour Crane, which itself will weigh 300 tonnes, is an example of our commitment to invest in our operations, thereby boosting prosperity in the area for both local people and businesses.”
Earlier this year, Warrenpoint Port announced a major 25-year growth plan which anticipates core roll on, roll off, freight to rise by up to 80% by 2040, regardless of the outcomes of Brexit negotiations.
Clare continued:
“We are fully prepared for the forecasted growth in freight shipping, with two other cranes also undergoing refurbishment.”
The crane will take three weeks to assemble and a further two to commission before entering service in September.
When complete, it will help the Port, which deals with a variety of goods including steel and timber and offers a full range of shipping services further build on increasing levels of business. In 2017, the Port handed a record 3.56 million tonnes of cargo valued at £6.2 billion.
ENDS
For more information please contact Simon Cunningham, Lighthouse Communications at Simon@lighthouseni.com or 07731824431.
Notes to editors
- Warrenpoint Port is the second largest port in Northern Ireland and the fifth biggest on the island of Ireland.
- Warrenpoint Harbour Authority was created as a Trust Port by legislation in 1971.
- In 2017, the value of goods moving through Warrenpoint Port was £6.2billion, £164 million of which was direct international trade. The Port handled 3.48 million tonnes
of cargo in 2016 increasing to 3.56 million tonnes in 2017
- The port employs 67 staff directly, but more than 200 people work at the harbour every day.
- In addition to serving the markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, the Port deals with imports and exports from countries and regions across the world including to Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine and the Americas.