Invitation for Expression of Interest in Acquiring the Marshmeadows Terminal in the Port of New Ross, County Wexford

Notice

The Port of New Ross has been a hub for dry and liquid bulk traffic and project cargoes for many years. In 2015, total trade through the port exceeded 286,000 tonnes. In order to optimise the use of existing port infrastructure, the port company wishes to dispose of a terminal within the port estate, which is situated in the townland of Marshmeadows. On behalf of the port company the Marine Institute is now inviting expressions of interest in acquiring the facility. The terminal comprises a jetty and adjoining lands measuring approximately 2 hectares.

Location of Port and Road Network

New Ross Port is situated between Wexford and Waterford on the R733 just off the N25 Rosslare to Cork route. The port is served by an extensive road network. The N30 connects New Ross with Enniscorthy and via the N11 to Rosslare and Dublin. Both the N11 and N25 form part of the developing E01 and E30 Euroroutes. The E01 links Larne, Belfast, Dublin and Rosslare, while the E30 connects Rosslare, Wexford, New Ross, Waterford and Cork. Construction of the M11 Enniscorthy bypass and the N25 New Ross bypass has commenced and will be completed before the end of 2018, enhancing the road infrastructure serving New Ross and significantly reducing travel times to major centres of industry and population in Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford and Cork. The Marshmeadows terminal is located on the southern side of the port, with good access to the surrounding road network.

Marshmeadows Terminal

The Marshmeadows terminal is a substantial piece of port infrastructure comprising a 75 metre jetty, capable of handling vessels up to 4,000 tonnes and adjoining lands, suitable for the storage of commodity traffic or road vehicles, measuring approximately 2 hectares. The Marshmeadows facility represents a significant business opportunity as an import / export terminal for bulk cargoes, or storage facility, or logistics hub. Other port related uses for the facility can also be considered. The terminal has the following advantages:

• Excellent road access
• Substantial landbank of suitably zoned and serviced lands in close proximity to the jetty
• Existing infrastructure for liquid bulk cargo
• Weighbridge
• Presence of complementary industries in the vicinity of the port which creates a competitive logistics and distribution hub in the southeast
• Within the port there is a dry dock (75m x 15m) and boat storage facilities, as well as repair and maintenance services

Future Use of Marshmeadows Facility

New Ross Town and Environs Development Plan 2011-2017 (as extended) acknowledges that the port is of strategic importance to the region, that it must continue to be developed to meet the needs of the industrial and commercial sectors and that there is considerable potential to develop port infrastructure in terms of value-added shore based activity. The Plan confirms that the Council will support this by facilitating the development of the port. In this regard, the lands in the vicinity of New Ross Port are zoned 'Port-related'. The purpose of this zoning is to provide for the future needs of the port, port-related activities and the established industrial development on these lands.

The land use zoning matrix (Section 13.2 of the Development Plan) sets out the uses which may be considered on these lands. These include port related (permitted in principle) and industrial, light industry, office, warehousing and storage/transport depot (open for consideration).

There are specific policies in the Plan that relate to the port. Policy IN05/TM09 supports and facilitates the future development of the port at Marshmeadows, including the facilitation of an additional wharf and construction of warehousing and open storage, subject to planning and the findings of an Appropriate Assessment in compliance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive.

It should be noted that the Harbours Act 2015 provides the necessary legal basis to transfer New Ross Port, by Ministerial order, from its current governance structure under the auspices of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to a local authority led governance structure provided in this instance by Wexford County Council and that such a transfer is intended under National Ports Policy.

The successful tenderer will be expected to comply with all the guidelines of the Planning Authority in relation to the lands in question.

Expressions of Interest

(a) Expressions of interest should address the following matters:
• Applicant's details: name, address, contact person, phone number, email address
• Profile of applicant including experience in the intended use of the terminal
• Proposed use of terminal
• Intended hours of operation
• Environmental impacts (if any)
• If the intended activity will result in sea traffic, please indicate the type and capacity of vessels likely to be used and the traffic in tonnes per annum likely to be generated
• Any other relevant information

(b) Expressions of interest in acquiring the facility should be sent to:
Director of Corporate Services
Marine Institute
Rinville
Oranmore
County Galway

(c) Enquiries or points of clarification should be directed to info@marine.ie

(d) Applications close at 1200hrs on Friday 12th August 2016

(e) The expressions of interest will be used to create a shortlist of applicants, from whom formal tenders will be sought.