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Warrenpoint Harbour Authority marks record year
P&O Ferrymasters has doubled its offering across the Iberian Peninsular with the opening of a new forwarding office in Madrid as well as strengthening its staffing levels in Barcelona to deal with the 24 per cent increase in business over the last 12 months.
 Consolidating its business in an increasingly competitive commercial environment, cargo handled by WHA in 2006 rose by 15% to 2.8million tonnes, while turnover increased from £4.2million in 2005 to a record £4.25million.
It was a particularly successful 12 months for grain imports which increased by 19.5%, while the year also saw the largest ever grain shipment to be handled by Warrenpoint Harbour, a 6,500 tonne consignment from Hamburg. The report also highlighted progress to date on development plans for the Harbour including a Deep Quay modernisation programme and the installation of a Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro/Ro) ramp which will allow it to accommodate larger vessels.
Commenting on the results Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Chairman, Jim Stewart said: “2006 has been another great year which has significantly reinforced our position as a major contributor to the economic wellbeing of the region. The refurbished Town Dock was officially opened in May 2006 bringing Mussel fishermen back into the Harbour after an absence of many years. The first mussel catch was landed early in the year and a new depuration facility, a key part of the investment, will commence operation in the Autumn to add further value to this exciting new business venture.
“As an added bonus the Harbour Authority was able to open the new pontoons in the Town Dock for the use of recreational vessels and yachts during the summer months when mussel fishing is out of season.
“In addition a new, two-lane floating pontoon Ro/Ro ramp was installed in December 2006 as part of a £19.7million investment partially funded by the Department for Regional Development. This new facility will allow the Harbour to accommodate larger, modern Ro/Ro ferries later this year. We are also nearing completion on the design stage of the second part of this project which is to add Deep Water berths in order to accommodate the larger vessels now used for container business. We are expecting work to commence shortly with the purchase of additional land and machinery, and construction to be completed by 2008.
These improvements will further help to secure the ongoing growth of the Harbour as well as benefiting the overall region, and will ensure that Warrenpoint Port is able to compete with the other major ports on the island.
Good location
Peter Conway, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Chief Executive added: “Warrenpoint’s central location midway between Belfast and Dublin allows us to attract trade and provide an efficient service for customers across the island of Ireland. Moreover, the continued boom in the building industry in both the Republic and Northern Ireland has ensured steady growth in the tonnages of timber and steel through the Port.
“Our Deep Quay modernisation programme will not only be critical in maintaining high levels of throughput for the Port, but will also secure existing employment levels for the foreseeable future and will enable the Port to continue to drive the local economy,” he added “Ultimately Warrenpoint is a Trust Port which belongs to the people of Newry and Mourne and the wider Northern Ireland community which means that profits - this year £645k - are reinvested for the benefit of port users and the development of the Harbour Estate.
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