Rosslare Europort appoints consultants to assist in assessing market interest in concession for port operation

Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, has appointed consultants to assist in the process of assessing market interest in, and evaluating opportunities from, a concession structure for the operation of the port.

Following a procurement process through the Official Journal of the European Union, Rebel – a Rotterdam based firm of specialist shipping & port consultants who formed a consortium with DKM Economic Consultants and STS International a Wexford based firm of specialist RoRo shipping consultants – have been appointed to lead the process and advise Europort management.

This follows a study by Indecon Consultants for the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport which examined strategic options for the future of the Europort, to maximise its potential and address future investment requirements.  The report recommended that the Europort remain in the ownership of Iarnród Éireann, but with a long term concession with a third party.

The market consultation process being undertaken by Rebel on behalf of Rosslare Europort will assess interest and evaluate opportunities from a concession structure, including investment options for the future development of the Europort, which the concession proposal is designed to support.

Rosslare Europort is Ireland’s second busiest in terms of ship visits, unitised freight and passenger numbers, and is designated as one of only five ports of national significance in the National Ports Policy.  The Port has recorded volume growth of 7.1% in 2015 to date, on top of 5.5% growth in 2014.