Port of Cork exploring development of multi-storey car storage facility in Ringaskiddy 

8,000 new vehicles are to arrive in Cork this January, a 60% surge in car-trade volume for the Port of Cork Company.

This increase is attributed to soaring demand, signalling enhanced consumer confidence.

Conor Mowlds, chief commercial officer at the Port of Cork Company, said: “The substantial increase in car shipments is a testament to the robust demand in the automotive industry. This surge not only highlights the resilience of Cork’s trade infrastructure, but also underscores the economic vitality of the region. The increased activity is expected to boost trade and create positive ripple effects across various sectors. It is especially promising to see more and more EVs entering the Irish market.”

The port, which usually averages 5,000 trade cars at this time of year, has allocated a new storage facility at Paddy’s Point, in Ringaskiddy, for the first time.

Storage facility at capacity 

The current storage facility at Ringaskiddy has reached its capacity and so this temporary expansion is required.

3,000 cars arrived last weekend on two vessels, primarily made up of Volkswagens, Audis, Cupras, Seats, and Skodas.

The shipping customers facilitating this operation include OGMA, Euromed Ireland Logistics Ltd. (EMIL), National Vehicle Distribution (NVD), Mainport, Doyle Shipping Group, and the Grimaldi Group.

Multi-storage storage facility 

To accommodate future demand, last December the Port of Cork Company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NVD and EMIL to explore the development of a new, multi-storey car-storage facility at Ringaskiddy, which could store up to 6,000 cars at a time and reduce the on-dock footprint.

Mr Mowlds added: “The increase in car volumes in one year alone demonstrates the requirement for a new, permanent multi-storey car-storage facility at Ringaskiddy. We expect approximately 50,000 trade cars to pass through the port this year, which is forecast to increase further as the population rises. We are currently exploring the viability of a more sustainable solution with our partners, NVD and Euromed Ireland, to facilitate this growth.”

Three more Grimaldi vessels are expected to arrive at the Port of Cork before February.