Feasibility Study on Potential Development of a Maritime Centre of Excellence in Cahiracon

Tender description

The Shannon Estuary on the West Coast of Ireland extends 100km from Limerick City to the Atlantic Ocean and is a sheltered deep water resource connected to all major international shipping lanes and to Shannon International Airport. The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary is an inter-jurisdictional land and marine based framework plan to guide the future development and management of the Shannon Estuary. The Shannon Estuary is an immensely important asset and one of the most valuable natural resources in Ireland. www.shannonestuary.ie It was commissioned in 2011 by Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development (now Shannon Group) and Shannon Foynes Port Company. It is overseen by a Steering Group comprised of 16 statutory and non statutory bodies together with state agencies that will act as project partners and collaborators on the project. These include; Limerick City and County Council, Kerry County Council, EPA, NPWS, Marine Institute, Shannon Foynes Port Company, Shannon Group, Inland fisheries Ireland, Shannon Airport Authority, Eirgrid, IDA, OPW, Department of Environment, Limerick Clare Energy Agency and the National Monuments Service. One of the key objectives of the SIFP is to encourage, facilitate and promote a balanced approach to harnessing the Estuary’s economic growth potential while simultaneously ensuring the conservation of the natural environment. Six Strategic Development Locations (SDLs) appropriate for marine related investment were identified as part of the SIFP. These 6 sites were subsequently zoned for Marine Related Industry within the relevant County Development Plans including Cahiracon and Moneypoint in the Clare County Development Plan. This contract was awarded to Flagship Maritime Consultants Ltd., Brogan House, Kinvara, Co. Galway