Aughinish, Ireland

Port Overview

Aughinish is a peninsula in the Shannon Estuary, County Limerick, Ireland, near Foynes. It hosts Rusal Aughinish, Europe’s largest alumina refinery, with a deep-water jetty for bulk imports and exports. The port is strategically important for Ireland’s aluminium industry, handling significant volumes of bauxite and alumina. While not ranked among Ireland’s top container ports, its annual throughput is measured in bulk cargo rather than TEUs, as it primarily serves industrial raw materials rather than containerized goods.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Aughinish, Ireland features a deepwater terminal on the Shannon Estuary, primarily serving the Aughinish Alumina refinery. The port handles bulk bauxite imports and alumina exports, with specialized bulk cargo handling facilities. Key equipment includes a modern bauxite unloader and extensive conveyor systems for efficient material transfer. The site is designed for high-volume operations but does not utilize automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or container cranes, focusing instead on bulk cargo handling for the alumina industry.

Container Terminals

Aughinish, Ireland’s container terminal primarily serves bulk cargo for the alumina refinery and is not a major container hub. It has two main berths: the outer berth (max LOA 228m, draft 12.5m) and the inner berth (max LOA 180m, draft 11m). The terminal is not automated and operates with conventional cargo handling. The major operator is Rusal, supporting alumina imports and exports.

Port Services

• Bulk cargo operations: Specializing in dry-bulk, liquid, and project cargoes, with dedicated berths for large vessels.
• Stevedoring and cargo handling: Full stevedoring services for efficient loading and unloading.
• Ship services: Including pilotage, tug assistance, bunkering, electrical and navigation equipment support, and quarantine procedures.
• Warehousing: On-site storage and warehousing for various cargo types.
• Customs and agency services: Customs clearance, documentation, and comprehensive ship agency support.

Global Connectivity

Aughinish, located on the Shannon Estuary in western Ireland, is a deep-water terminal primarily handling bauxite imports and alumina exports. It serves as a key gateway for bulk cargoes, connecting to major ports in Europe, the UK, and beyond. The port’s deep draft and modern facilities enable direct shipping routes to major markets such as continental Europe, the Mediterranean, and North America, supporting both regional industry and international trade.

Port Statistics

Aughinish Port Key Statistics

Aughinish is a subport of Shannon Foynes Port Company located in Ireland at coordinates 52.64°N, 9.06°W with UN/Locode IEAUG.

Port Infrastructure:

• Berths: 2 berths across 1 terminal
• Maximum vessel specifications: 230 meters length, 14.9 meters draught, 92,967t deadweight

Cargo Profile:

• General Cargo: 94%
• Tankers: 6%
• Primarily handles dry bulk and wet bulk shipments

Note: Aughinish specializes in bulk cargo operations rather than container traffic, so TEU throughput and container shipping line data are not applicable. No global ranking data is available for this specialized bulk terminal.