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THERE WAS PLENTY of back-slapping down at Dublin Port last Monday, as the largest cruise liner to dock in the city – the MSC Splendida – tied up, at Ocean Pier.
Up until this week, the port’s operational capacity was set at around 300 metres. At 330 metres – quite a bit of research had to be done to make sure the Splendida would be able to be brought in safely. Monday’s docking was the result of some intense planning by port officials – the captain of the luxury liner even flew over to Ireland in advance, to practice the ship’s approach on a simulator.
Because of its size, the liner wasn’t able to turn in the Liffey, and (as planned) reversed in – so it could sail out bow-forwards.
As Dublin Port Company executives explained on the day, the measures taken this week are part of a temporary solution only. As part of a large-scale redevelopment plan for the Alexandra Basin, it’s planned that much larger cruise liners will be able to sail even further up the Liffey – to the East Link Bridge.
A decision on whether or not the ambitious project will get the green light is expected later this year – and if the Port gets the go-ahead, the radical reconfiguration of facility could be in place by the end of 2020.
From the 15th deck of the Splendida, the Port’s Pat Ward talked TheJournal.ie through the plan – which would allow even the world’s biggest cruise ships, up to and including the 360 metre ‘Allure of the Seas‘, to access the Liffey. If you’re interested in the impact the project could have on the area – it’s well worth taking a quick look…
“We submitted in March of 2014 and we’re hoping for An Bord Pleanála to reach whatever decision it reaches within the next couple of months,” Dublin Port CEO Eamon O’Reilly said.
It’s planned the €200 million redevelopment will create around 200 jobs during the construction period – and that it will lead to a 30 per cent increase in port volume within the decade following its construction.
Some 3km of quay walls would have to be rebuilt as part of the overhaul. Dredging would also take place to allow an extra 2.2 metres of depth in the approach to the Liffey, from Dublin Bay.
A planning hearing last October heard that environmental impact studies had been submitted by the port company alongside the planning application. A range of interest groups – including residents associations and environmental groups – also sent in written submissions.
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Mattress amnesty- they’re taking the Mick.
@John Jones:
He’ll be OK. His compadres will spring him.
Would make more sense if it was a collection service for those who have no way of transporting bulky items like mattresses .
only clean mattresses. ..the problem is it’s old &dirty mattresses people want to get rid of
This kind of innovative thinking makes me proud to be Irish. I couldn’t even imagine a better way to blow €200,000. Unless of course we spent it providing everyone with a little of the same drugs Naughton is taking. The whole thing might make a bit more sense then to everyone else who might have thought it was a brain fart of an idea that should never have made it past the underpants naughton should be wearing on his head.
Mattress amnesty I’m really confused.
Mick is turning himself in – for crimes against advertising.
Any locations in Cork?
I forked out €90 for 3 single mattresses at my local amenity centre, no wonder there being illegally dumped on a regular basis
@Noel Martin: you think they’re cheap for the council to get rid of? They’d half fill a skip. Not an excuse to illegally dump.
@Noel Martin: the more people are charged the more they will dump, when will this get through to the thick FG mind?
@Noel Martin: I can see a mattress levy been introduced on all new mattresses, there putting it on everything else.
Oh give it a rest and put this issue to bed
@Shoot Thepiano: very true. Important to sleep on it when making decisions like this
I’m sure the people who manage to find a way to transport mattresses to dump them in remote rural locations can find a way to transport them to an amenity centre.
In Australia they have a kerb collection once a year where you can put out what you normally can’t get rid off and the council picks it up works quiet well
Mattresses being dumped illegally are done so for a reason. Accepting only clean dry mattresses won’t solve dumping. All mattresses no matter what condition should be accepted.
Reactionary decision, should’ve slept on it.
They are probably collecting the mattress for their homeless hubs!
I don’t get it. One can break down a mattress in about 15 minutes with a stanley blade and cutters. Once the springs are cut apart, the mattress doesn’t take up much space.
Standard mattress of course, one of those memory foam ones would be a very different story.
Where, apart from Tuam, are the Galway collections? I could do N.Tipp too…
@Jane Alford: bummer. It was on Saturday. Journal on the spot as usual…
Why do it during the Summer? They should wait until Spring comes.
What sort of people dump mattresses? A joke. What about a dog crap amnesty while they are at it.
the going rate is 50 euro to remove a mattress , this is the reason they are dumped and cause litter problems across the country they should have a markup to recycle , http://www.mattressmonkey.ie
I hear they would make good flower beds lol
have your say