An Irish ferry project and three multi-country projects involving Irish partners have been selected to receive funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for Transport (CEF Transport) funding call for 2024.
Iarnród Éireann/Rosslare Europort was selected to receive €19.2 mill towards the ‘Green Drift’ project.
This project will see the development of key emission-reducing port infrastructure, including berth development and ro-ro ramps at Rosslare, and onshore power supply in both Dunkirk and Rosslare ports.
These projects will help to address transport infrastructure resilience and adaptation to climate change.
The funding will support the extension and upgrade of Berth 3 at Rosslare Europort to accommodate larger vessels. The extended surface will receive a concrete deck, which will serve as a future marshalling area, which is especially important for unaccompanied freight.
The ro-ro ramps will be refurbished and updated by replacing the steel deck of the ramp and completing a hydroelectric upgrade. Berth 3 will also see the installation of on-shore power connections for vessels on the Dunkirk/Rosslare route.
“Roll-on/Roll-off traffic on Rosslare/EU routes has grown at a faster pace than at any other port, with trade with continental Europe having increased by 398% over the past three years.
“As an island nation, it is crucial that we support this increase in activity by building resilience and sustainability into our ports, as the ‘Green Drift’ project will aim to achieve,” said Irish Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney.
In addition, CEF has awarded €22 mill in co-funding for the Hansalink 3 project, an inititiave between the Port of Helsinki and Port of Luebeck/Travemuende.
Helsinki will receive around €12 mill from the total allocation.
This €45 mill project aims to modernise port infrastructure, enhance digital systems, and improve the efficiency of passenger and freight traffic.
Key components include the development of onshore power supply systems tailored to new Finnlines vessels, as well as the installation of automated mooring systems at both ports.
“The substantial EU funding will allow ports to implement measures that enhance the competitiveness of the Helsinki/Travemünde corridor, while supporting the EU’s sustainable transport goals,” said Vesa Marttinen, Vice President of Cargo at the Port of Helsinki.
“Our close co-operation with the Lübeck Port Authority has resulted in a project that advances the unitised cargo and passenger vessel fleet on this route, ultimately benefiting Northern European businesses and consumers,” he said.
Also in Helsinki, YIT has been selected by the port to carry out an extension project at the southern tip of the West Harbour, a key initiative within the City of Helsinki’s long-term port renewal programme.
This project, valued at around €27.6 mill, supports the goal of consolidating all Tallinn-bound traffic at the West Harbour in Jätkäsaari.
The southern tip area extension plays a central role in the comprehensive redevelopment of the West Harbour, which includes a new terminal and harbour tunnel that will upgrade the quay and field areas.
While the berths for Tallink and Eckerö Line vessels will remain unchanged, the project will introduce a new quay area through a construction to the south.
The contract includes dismantling existing structures, dredging, land reclamation, fabrication and installation of quay elements, and the implementation of technical systems and surface infrastructure.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and continue through autumn 2027.
Port operations will remain uninterrupted throughout the project, which will be executed in close collaboration with other port stakeholders, with special attention to safety, environmental impact, and traffic continuity, YIT said.
Also under the CEF funding scheme, the Croatian port of Dubrovnik will benefit from a €37 mill funding awarded to boost the country’s transport network.
Two new berths will be built at Dubrovnik port with the recommended funding of €18.7 mill. The project will help reduce congestion and improve port efficiency by removing an infrastructure bottleneck.
