FOYLE PORT
An Atlantic Gateway for the UK and Europe The attention of the global media has been fixed on Foyle Port recently as it serves up a ‘classic Brexit case study’ during uncertain times. One thing that has remained steadfast is the growth at the Port, its plans for a new international cruise ship terminal and the creation of its own bespoke enterprise zone. We speak to Chief Executive, Brian McGrath on the commercial realities of running a successful Port operation on the frontier between the UK and the European Union.
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Foyle Port is unique in that it operates cross border, with its jurisdiction stretching from the city’s Craigavon Bridge to Greencastle in Donegal and across Lough Foyle to Magilligan in north west county Derry/Londonderry. In many ways, it serves as the Atlantic gateway for the north-west city region. Although the port operation is in Northern Ireland, its pilot station is in Greencastle and both the Irish and UK governments recognise Foyle Port as the competent harbour authority for the area. The Port, in effect, doesn’t recognise the border, and neither does the trade traffic that it attracts. “Half of the freight arriving by sea into Derry/ Londonderry comes from the European Union, with about 40 per cent from the United Kingdom and the