Significant progress made at Ireland’s largest Marine Construction Project – MP2 Update

27 May 2025

Dublin Port Company’s Masterplan 2040 Project 2 (MP2) is progressing at pace. The  project includes the construction of a new quay wall at Berth 52 East and a significant new roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) facility at Berth 53 to support growing freight and ferry traffic and introducing new technology for the safer berthing of ever larger vessels. 

The works involve the installation of a combi-wall quay structure, a double-tier linkspan and modern bridge system for Ro-Ro vessels, and extensive marine and landside infrastructure. Berth 53 will feature a 290-metre open jetty with nine marine platforms (known in the industry as Dolphins), while the landside development includes a 400m access road, electrical services, CCTV, and an asphalt-paved operational yard. 

Environmental compliance is central to the project, with construction activities adhering to strict licensing conditions and seasonal restrictions to protect the River Liffey’s ecosystem. In particular, no piling occurs in the river during the peak salmon smolt migration period from March to May, while dredging is confined to October through March.  

Michael McKenna, Dublin Port Harbourmaster, commented: 

“This is a critical investment in Dublin Port’s capacity and resilience. The Berth 52/53 project not only enhances our ability to handle next-generation Ro-Ro vessels but also reflects our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. By delivering this infrastructure, we’re ensuring the port continues to serve as Ireland’s largest and busiest port, facilitating over €165bn worth of trade each year and growing. 

“Construction is being carried out under carefully controlled conditions, with respect for designated environmental windows and marine habitat protection standards. As we operate inside the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere, it is crucial that all construction activities work in harmony with the surrounding ecosystems.”  

The quay wall at Berth 52 East will extend the existing reclaimed land 40 metres into the river, providing a structural connection to the Berth 53 jetty. The combi-wall design, consisting of large-diameter tubular and sheet steel piles, will be installed using rotary boring and vibration piling techniques. 

The Berth 53 Jetty’s design includes a 9-metre environmental screen to protect the nearby Special Protection Area (SPA) from vessel wash and a 1.2-metre high visual barrier. The new linkspan system is engineered to accommodate a wide range of Ro-Ro vessels, with hydraulically operated ramps that enable access to multiple deck levels. 

Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040 consists of three major projects; the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment which is nearing completion, MP2, and 3FM Third and Final Masterplan project which is currently in the planning permission pipeline with An Bord Pleanála.  

Dublin Port would like to acknowledge the great work of our Consultants Malachy Walsh & Partners, and Wills Bros as our Contractor on this project.  

Dublin Port’s MP2 project received EUR73.8m in funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for Transport programme in 2024.