Ports and shipping identified as ‘important engines’ for economic growth
Addressing the European ShortSea Convention 2012 organised by the IMDO and Coastlink, Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport noted that the event was “timely” given the challenges facing the EuroZone.
“The European Commission has identified ports and shipping as important engines for future economic growth. Their latest estimate identifies that over 800,000 enterprises, employing more than 3 million people directly, are located within European port community clusters.”
European ports are the transit point for up to 90% of Europe’s freight movements with the rest of the world, and 40% of the internal market.
“The internal market in Europe still accounts for over 60% of all of Ireland’s trade, which in itself signifies the important role that shortsea services play in the day-to-day competitiveness of Ireland’s economy,” he added.
Minister Varadkar stressed to delegates that as an island trading economy Ireland was highly dependent on shortsea shipping.
“100% of our container and unitised traffic is carried via intra-European shortsea services, and as an open economy we are more exposed to changes in the external global and European environment.”
Minister Varadkar also stressed his “commitment” to publishing a new ports policy this year.
“Our current ports policy will require a radical overhaul. The existing structure treats our nine port companies as though they were the same size, scale and have the same role to play, while this is clearly not the case.
Acknowledging that a “hierarchy” of ports comprising core ports serving large strategic volumes of national trade and some smaller ports with a more regional role existed, he said it was “vital” that a new policy provided “an appropriate framework” for commercial ports.
“A framework that allows ports develop and respond as required to the needs of our economy; a framework that recognises that changes at a global level requires action at a national level to ensure that Ireland is served by first class commercial seaports.
