Train to Limerick port village remains on track for new year
Shannon Foynes Port Company boss says link will develop logistics from the village
THE Limerick to Foynes rail line will be back in operation for the first time since 2001, from early next year.
The 40-km link between Colbert Station and the port village will begin to accept freight trains in the first three months of the year, Pat Keating, the chief executive of the Shannon Foynes Port Company said.
It comes ahead of passenger traffic returning to the line, through a temporary rail service between Limerick Junction and Adare in time for next September’s Ryder Cup.
The restart of freight services along the line, Mr Keating said, will help Shannon Foynes Port Company develop sustainable logistic services from the area.
"Connecting the national rail network at Limerick to Foynes port will undoubtedly enable national freight modal shift from roughly just 1% today. This modal shift will assist with Ireland's Climate Action Plan for transport to meet its net zero climate obligations," he added.
The port company chief made the comments during the release of its annual financial report, which has shown turnover rise by 12% to €17.63m and both earnings and operating profit reaching historic highs.
Shannon Foynes Port Company saw €8m of earnings before other costs are taken away, alongside operating profit of €5.71m, up from €4.81m in 2024.
Operating margin increased to 32.4% while the earnings margin was at 45.4%.
Revenues from ships and cargo craft visiting the three Ports under the Shannon Foynes Port Company’s control were up by €800,000, while total traffic through the estuary rose to 9.35 million-tonnes.
Foynes Port, the largest base within the firm’s portfolio, recorded its highest ever annual tonnage.
Foynes Port ended the year with a balance-sheet value of €71.6m and net debt of €6.9m, a reduction of €3 million on the previous year. Net assets were at €72m at year end, increasing by 240% over the ten-year period to 2025.
Capital additions in the year reached €4.59m, primarily relating to construction work in progress as well as the consenting process for the Foynes Island Deepwater development.
This is geared towards accelerating the transformation of the Shannon Estuary into a major international shipping and economic hub to provide service to vessels from across the world.