9 December 2023
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Did you know around 40,000 new cars pass through RIngaskiddy each year? but storing them takes much land
The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is exploring a significant strategic partnership opportunity with two key customers – Euromed Ireland Logistics Ltd. (EIL) and National Vehicle Distribution (NVD), to develop a car storage facility at Ringaskiddy that could have the capacity to store approximately 6000 new trade cars at a time.
The businesses who have worked together for over 40 years, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to explore the potential of developing a new on-site car storage facility to support their automotive trade activities on-site in Ringaskiddy.
Approximately 40,000 new cars are traded through the Port per year and are currently stored across 25 acres of Port lands for up to a week at a time, before being distributed to dealerships throughout Ireland.
The agreement reflects an important collaboration and commitment to invest and assess the potential and viability of the facility which would provide an efficient solution to reduce the current on-dock footprint to a more sustainable level to support the growing demands of PoC’s car trade customers. PoC forecasts an almost 10,000 increase in trade vehicles through its site in 2024.
Andrew Boland, Managing Director, National Vehicle Distribution, Cormac Dufficy, Managing Director, Euromed Ireland Logistics Ltd and Donal Crowley, Deputy CEO, Port of Cork Company, pictured at Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Port of Cork Company, Euromed Ireland Logistics and National Vehicle Distribution to explore the possibility of developing a car storage facility at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy. It is hoped the development will help to secure the trade car business in Cork and reduce the current on-dock trade car footprint. Pic: Diane Cusack.
As the plan progresses, the required planning permission would of course be sought.
Commenting on the MoU, Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Cork Company stated, “The PoCC welcomes the opportunity presented by this potential collaboration to create sustainable solutions for trade car activities in Ringaskiddy. This project aligns with our commitment to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of port operations. We look forward to a collaborative approach in evaluating the viability of this project.”
Cormac Dufficy, Managing Director of Euromed Ireland Logistics Ltd stated, “We believe strong port infrastructure in Ireland fosters economic growth, enhances trade opportunities, and strengthens connectivity with the global markets we serve – therefore leading to improved offerings to our clients and continued growth in our volumes to and from Ireland.”
Andrew Boland, Managing Director of National Vehicle Distribution stated, “NVD is pleased to be a part of this collaborative initiative. The proposed development would align with our long-term vision of enabling the growth and trade of vehicles within the region. We look forward to closely working with our partners as we explore this opportunity.”