The proposed development seeks to complete the aspects of the ABR Project which were granted as part of a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) (Case Reference PA29N.PA0034) but were not completed before the expiration of the ABR Project permission in July 2025.   

The scope of the remaining works is much narrower than the original ABR Project proposed development and will comprise of the following elements: 

• The completion of dredging of material within the redeveloped Alexandra Basin West (including contaminated elements) and its subsequent treatment and recovery; 

• The infilling of the Terminal 5 Ro-Ro basin with treated dredged material; and; 

• The raising of the existing Terminal 5-yard levels required for the development of the Unified Ferry Terminal (as permitted as part of the MP2 Project). 

• Some demolition work of redundant marine infrastructure within the Basin at Terminal 5. 

Omissions from the ABR Project 

The original ABR Project has been reduced in scope because of a decision not to proceed with the following elements; 

• Demolition of a section of the North Wall Quay Extension (a protected structure) having an area of 21,700sq.m.  

• Construction of new quay walls at the North Wall Quay Extension, 937m total in length, including a rounded eastern end using salvaged stone material from demolished sections of quay.  

• Construction of a marina protection structure to a height of +7.0m CD and a length of 220m on the southern side of the river channel.  

• Moving and reconstruction of existing lighthouse to eastern end of revised North Wall Quay Extension. 

• Construction of interpretive glazed pavilions having an area of 36sq.m on the west of the reconfigured North Wall Quay Extension and the presentation of a salvaged historic concrete block from the demolished section of quay.  

• Dredging to -10m CD c.276, 000sq.m at the North Wall Quay Extension berthing pocket.  

• Demolition of a floating ramp (Ramp no. 6) on the Liffey side of North Wall Quay Extension. 

 The elements above were omitted from the ABR Project planning permission following a request to ACP to alter the term under Section 146b of the Planning Acts. 

The ABR2 Project represents the final step in resolving the legacy issue of contaminated sediments within Alexandra Basin West. This legacy contamination resulted from historic fugitive losses of lead and zinc associated with the former ore loading facilities – now fully replaced – and from antifoulants such as copper sulphate and tributyltin arising from vessel shot-blasting activities within Graving Dock No. 2, which has since closed. These sources of the contamination have therefore ceased as a direct outcome of interventions delivered through the original ABR Project.  

During Phase 1 of the capital dredging works under the ABR Project, heavily contaminated sediments which were found at the surface of the seabed have also been removed. The sediments remaining are mainly moderately contaminated. Although they remain unsuitable for disposal at sea, they require fewer additives within the treatment process to ensure stabilisation prior to reuse as an infill material within the Berth 52/53 basin.  

To facilitate this work, an amendment to the existing Industrial Emissions Licence will be sought to increase the area set aside for treatment and temporary storage which will assist in accommodating port operations during the ABR2 project construction works.  

The excavation and restoration of Graving Dock No. 1 have now been excluded from the ABR2 Project. Graving Dock No. 1 will instead be preserved and protected in-situ. 

DPC intends to seek a 10-year permission from ACP to allow sufficient time to complete the ABR2 Project. The works must be carefully phased due to the operational constraints of Ireland’s busiest port and DPC’s ongoing commitment to avoid any further infilling of the Tolka Estuary, requiring all works to take place within Dublin Port’s existing brownfield footprint.  

The key milestone has already been achieved through completion of the Ro-Ro Freight Jetty in Alexandra Basin West, allowing a Ro-Ro Freight operator, to relocate and thereby freeing the Berth 52 / 53 basin. This makes it possible to close the entrance to the basin through the construction of a new riverside Berth 52 permitted under the MP2 Project. These works are scheduled to be completed by Q4 2028 enabling the infilling of the Berth 52 / 53 basin to commence in Q1, 2029. 

Once consented, the ABR2 Project will allow the original benefits underpinning the original ABR Project to be achieved including the deepening of berths and the increased optimisation of port lands for mercantile purposes.