Facilities

Dublin Port Facilities

In 1996, throughput at the Port was just over 15 million tonnes. Fifteen years on, this has risen to 28.1m tonnes in 2010. This increase, the culmination of fifteen years growth, demonstrates the significant progress that Dublin Port Company in ensuring the Port and its facilities can keep pace with this significant growth.

This growth has been delivered across the board, in both Lift-on/Lift-off (Lo-Lo) and Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro). There has also been significant growth in the number of passengers passing through the Port.

Last year, a total of 85 cruise liners visited the city of Dublin through Dublin Port, bringing up to €50 million into the economy in the process. It is worth noting the foresight of Dublin Port's management team of the potential this trade would have on the Irish economy. As a result they spearheaded the creation of Cruise Ireland and the results are clear for all to see.

Port Facilities & Services Limits of Dublin Port

Under the 1996 Harbours Act the limits of Dublin Port consist of the waters of the River Liffey commencing from and including Rory O'Moore Bridge and extending to an imaginary straight line drawn from the Baily Lighthouse on the north in the County of Dublin and extending through the North Burford Buoy and thence through the South Burford Buoy and thence to Sorrento Point on the south including all bays, creeks, harbours and all tidal docks within such area.

Anchorage

For information on anchoring positions please refer to the admiralty chart No. 1415. Anchorage is position 53'n 21, 6'w 12,sand over stiff marl. This anchorage is very exposed and a vessel should be prepared to leave at the first sign of a shift of Wind E.

Approach and Berthage

The approach to the harbour of Dublin is well lighted and of easy access. There is a channel across the Bar which is 7.8m below LAT. Vessels drawing up to 10.2m can enter the port at high water of normal tides. Vessels drawing up to 7m can enter at any state of tide. Vessels proceeding to the Dublin Bay Buoy, which is a Roundabout Buoy to be passed on the vessel's port side, should proceed through the Traffic Separation Scheme which was introduced during 1997. The scheme comprises of two elements, an inward lane and outward lane at North Burford and South Burford. For larger craft this is the only access to Dublin Port.

Tides

Mean H.W. Springs Dublin Bar 4.1m.
Mean H.W. Neaps, 3.4m.
Prevailing winds are S.W.
All depths refer to the Lowest Astronomical Tide. This level is defined as 'the lowest level which can be expected to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical conditions.'
This datum is referred to as L.A.T. and 2.51m below Ordnance Datum Malin Head.

Verification of Depths

All berth, channel and bar depths given hereunder are standard Lowest Astronomical Tide (L.A.T.) maintenance depths, which are liable to reduction through silting or other causes. Verification of depths in the port should, therefore, be obtained from the

Harbour Master's Department,
Dublin Port Company,
Port Operations Centre,
Breakwater Road, Dublin 1.
Tel: (01) 887 6000.