Madam, - Following Edna Connellan's comments in your edition of April 1st on the much needed expansion at Dublin Port, may I extend my full support to his argument and add a few points on behalf of Stena Line - one of Dublin Port's largest users?
In 2003 we introduced the €100 Million Superferry, the Stena Adventurer to our central corridor route (Dublin-Holyhead), thereby increasing our tourist and freight capacity by more than 70 per cent. We also built a two-tier berth at Holyhead to match the two-tier berth investment made by Dublin Port, bringing the overall investment to over €130 million in the past two years alone.
In recent years we have seen a remarkable increase in freight volumes on the Dublin-Holyhead route and economic indications clearly show that this trend is set to continue. As a major ferry operator which has made tangible financial commitments to all of our Irish routes and to the Irish economy, we already have serious concerns about the congestion and standage constraints that currently exist. Consequently, any future growth ultimately depends on the proposals put forward by Dublin Port.
The decision not to go ahead with the proposed expansion will not only have a detrimental impact on Stena Line and the port users, but will also impair the future of the Irish economy.
It is essential, therefore, that Dublin Port is granted permission to proceed with its proposed expansion so that ferry companies such as Stena Line can also plan the future, as our commercial and financial decisions, along with the proposals put forward by Dublin Port, are inextricably linked. - Yours, etc.,
VIC GOODWIN, Route Director, Central and Southern Corridor, Stena Line, Holyhead, Wales.