The Port of Cork Energy Hub Momentum on Display During Taoiseach Tour of Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure
An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, toured the Port of Cork on Saturday, 18th October 2025 by sea to view the tangible progress being made at the Tier 1 port of national significance to turn Ireland’s energy security ambition into reality.
During the visit, the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) CEO Ann Doherty and her senior management team at the commercial semi-state, briefed the Taoiseach on the port’s future strategic development plans including the planned phased move from the city to the deep water facilities in Ringaskiddy and positioning the port as an energy hub supporting jobs and industry throughout Cork and the wider Munster region.
With the assistance of grant funding support from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and financial support from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), the port is completing the construction of the €100m CORE 1 (Cork Offshore Renewable Energy 1), a new multi-purpose deepwater berth at Ringaskiddy. As Ireland’s first and only ORE onshore infrastructure resource this project positions Cork at the heart of Ireland’s offshore renewable energy future.
The Taoiseach also had the opportunity to view the location for the proposed Cork LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) FSRU (Floating Storage Regasification Unit) which is located in close proximity to existing energy networks and would ensure Ireland maintains its security of energy supply now and into the future.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said, “It is great to get an opportunity to shine a light on the work being delivered at Ireland’s second largest port thanks to the synergy created by a combination of long term strategic planning, funding and vision.The €100 million multi-purpose deepwater berth CORE 1, supported by CEF, ISIF and Port funding is now near completion. This is an important step towards our stated ambitions in ORE as part of meeting our important climate targets.”
Ann Doherty, CEO of PoCC, said, “PoCC is committed to working with the government and all relevant stakeholders and partners to strengthen Ireland’s energy security and we are delighted to be hosting the Taoiseach here today, to see first hand the natural and developed resources we have in Cork harbour, that can and will secure Ireland’s energy future. PoCC has a strong track record of successful delivery on key infrastructure projects stretching back to the 1970’s and continuing right up to the present day and we are set to become the first port in the region to deliver dedicated quay facilities for the offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector.”
The Port of Cork offers strategic and logistical advantages to shipping partners. It is home to the world’s second largest natural harbour, and its facilities support all modes of shipping. When the Port of Cork Company invested in the Cork Container Terminal (CCT) at Ringaskiddy in 2022, it represented the largest single investment in marine infrastructure, in any Irish port, over the past century.
The Port Masterplan 2050, published in 2023, outlines its ambitious expansion and enlargement phase for capacity along with other major changes. For further information on the Port of Cork Company visit www.portofcork.ie.
About Port of Cork Company
The Port of Cork is the world’s second-largest natural harbour and a key international trade gateway. It is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of the three Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) as designated by National Ports Policy.
The National Ports Policy mandates Tier 1 Ports to lead the response in meeting Ireland’s future port capacity requirements. In this capacity, the port is also central to the national economic growth given that national ports handle approximately 90% of all imported and exported tonnage in Ireland.
As a multi-model port it is only one of two ports in Ireland to service all six shipping modes – lift on/ lift off, roll-on/ roll-off, liquid bulk, dry bulk, break bulk and cruise.
The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is a commercial semi-state company responsible for the broad range of commercial running of Cork harbour as well as the navigation and berthage in the port.
In 2022, the Ports of Cork and Bantry reported a total consolidated traffic throughput of 10.2 million tonnes. The PoCC’s direct workforce is 170 staff, however, it supports thousands of jobs through indirect employment through warehouses, hauliers and shipping agents.
PoCC is a hugely important catalyst for trade and employment, offering direct connectivity to a global supply chain, particularly for FDI. 35 of its top customers are from industries such as Med-Tec, Pharma, IT, chemical and Agri-Food accounting for €145 billion of manufacturing and supporting over 45,000 jobs directly in the southwest region.
