2.6.2 Rosslare Europort

Figure 2.1: Port of Waterford – traffic share as a percentage of total market

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

2.6.2 Rosslare Europort Rosslare is unique among the State commercial ports as it operates outside of the Harbours Acts 1996–2009. The port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbour Company (FRRHC) which owes its origins to the Fishguard Bay Railway and Pier Act 1893. The constituent ports (Rosslare and Fishguard) of the company are nowadays the operational and financial responsibility of Iarnród Éireann and Stena Line Ports Ltd respectively.

As can be seen from Figure 2.1, there has been a significant fall-off in trade in the Port of Waterford over the past decade. This is particularly severe in the case of Waterford’s share of the LoLo market, which has fallen from almost 20% in 2001 to 8% in 2011. In real terms, the drop in total tonnage handled in the Port of Waterford across all modes and by Lo-Lo is even starker, falling by 30% and 29% respectively between

A number of factors have contributed to this decline. While the declines in recent years have been exacerbated by the economic conditions, the port has also suffered due to the impact of the underlying trends in maritime transport (see section 2.3), which has resulted in a consolidation of routes and services, particularly in the LoLo sector.

On account of this historic arrangement, Rosslare Europort is operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. As it is not a separate corporate entity, it cannot be accurately compared in terms of turnover, overheads and employees to the other port companies. This limits the ability to adequately benchmark its performance.

In responding to these issues, the Port of Waterford engaged consultants to conduct a strategic review of operations and make recommendations as to its future operation and development. The outcome of this review and on-going work within Government will inform future policy developments in relation to the

Rosslare Europort enjoys a significant proportion of Irish Ro-Ro traffic (see Figure 2.2), is the fourth largest port in terms of overall tonnage handled, and the State’s second largest passenger port.

Figure from page 26

Rosslare Europort is the fourth largest port in terms of overall tonnage handled, and the State’s second largest passenger port