Two Irish projects and three multi-country projects involving Irish partners have been selected to receive funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for Transport (CEF Transport) funding call for 2024.
This will see more than €26 million of EU funding invested in transport infrastructure projects that support Ireland’s connectivity and enhance the resilience, sustainability and digitalisation of our transport systems. CEF Transport is the EU funding instrument that supports the development of the trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network.
Iarnród Éireann/Rosslare Europort has been selected to receive €19.2 million towards their ‘GREEN DRIFT’ project. This project will see the development of key emission-reducing port infrastructure, including berth development and Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) ramps at Rosslare, and onshore power supply in both Dunkirk and Rosslare ports. These works will help to address transport infrastructure resilience and adaptation to climate change.
The funding will support the extension and upgrade of Berth 3 at Rosslare Europort to accommodate larger vessels. The extended surface will receive a concrete deck which will serve as a future marshalling area, which is especially important for unaccompanied freight. The RoRo ramps will be refurbished and updated by replacing the steel deck of the ramp and completing a Hydro Electric upgrade. Berth 3 will also see the installation of on-shore power connections for vessels on the Dunkirk to Rosslare route.
Iarnród Éireann’s ‘ECRIPP’ project was also successful in the 2024 funding call, and received a €2.7 million allocation. The project will support studies to prepare the mitigation measures required to protect areas of a 65 km length of existing coastal railway between Dublin and Rosslare from erosion and flooding, caused by climate change and the increased frequency of storms along the line. These efforts are critical for reducing vulnerabilities, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, and contributing to sustainable and safe mobility along the East Coast rail line which lies on Ireland’s section of the trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Three multi-country consortium projects that included Irish partners were also selected to receive funding, including the ‘Clean ATM 3’ and ‘ATN Multilink Expansion in European Airspace’ air navigation and traffic management projects.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are among the participants in the successful VERKKO project which involves the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) which will contribute to an improved, sustainable and digital traffic management system that supports increased information-sharing and safety along our road network.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien says, “I am pleased to see over €26 million awarded to Irish projects under the 2024 CEF call. These projects were selected from 265 applications across Europe, showing their contribution to the continued development of the trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in Ireland. This is the backbone of our European Single Market.
"These projects will pave the way for our delivery of a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable transport system.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney says, "I am particularly pleased to see Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort’s success under the 2024 CEF Call.
"Roll-On/Roll-Off traffic on Rosslare–EU routes has grown at a faster pace than at any other port, with trade with continental Europe having increased by 398% over the past three years. As an island nation, it is crucial that we support this increase in activity by building resilience and sustainability into our Ports, as the ‘GREEN DRIFT’ project will aim to achieve.”
