Page 20 - Linkline Yearbook 2019

Conor Mowlds FCILT Interview
We continue our series of interviews with recently appointed Fellows to the Institute, this edition we speak to Conor on his career and future plans for his role in Port of Cork.
What's your current role and career background?
I started with the Port of Cork as Chief Executive in April 2018, so am still relatively new, and will be for quite some time! I moved here from the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), where I was the head of the college for five years and for five years prior to that I was head of the NMCI's commercial arm.
My initial background was actually with the merchant marine at sea and since then I've worked in a number of shore-based roles in ship management and technical ship management and various other commercial roles.
In terms of the port, it's a very exciting time and a very historic time, with the Port of Cork closing its traditional facilities in the heart of the City and at Tivoli and moving out to a purpose-built facility at Ringaskiddy, a deeper water harbour and what will be Ireland's most modern container terminal.
What are the plans for the old Port facilities?
In terms of the facilities that we are leaving in Cork and Tivoli, there are very exciting plans. We are moving out of our traditional Custom House HQ in early 2020 and there are plans for significant investment which involve preserving the building and its maritime heritage and also building a top-class hotel, which would be a landmark in the city.
For the city quays themselves, we are in discussion with Cork City Council regarding the sale of the quays and we're all in agreement that it's very important to maintain the maritime heritage of the facility and make sure that the move is done in an orderly and business-like fashion.
What are some of the logistical concerns for the new Port?
There is a lot of work going on in terms of connectivity, the M28 road has been approved and that will provide a direct link to the new port. We are hopeful that this project can get final go ahead as soon as possible.
Although we will have the most modern container port in the country, we also need to be sure that we have the right connectivity into the city and beyond, so we can make the best use of the new port for both the Cork area and indeed the whole country.
What sort of numbers work in port and how will this change?
There are about 150 staff working in the port and we envisage that remaining broadly similar after the closure of the City and Tivoli facilities. We've planned well in advance to have the human resources we need in place. What's key for
us is continuity of service for clients and potential clients, agents, shippers, hauliers, stevedores and all concerned parties.
What do you love about the work?
The job is very exciting. I initially applied for this job in 2008, and I came second. When the opportunity came to revisit the role, it was too good to turn down and I'm delighted I was successful.
There's so much in terms of the commercial aspects, the maritime aspects, the business aspects-its's a really exciting place to be at the moment and a real step up from the NMCI in terms of the scale of it.
To be in a management team like this at a time like this is very enjoyable and it's hugely rewarding for me.
Where are you from originally?
I'm from Stillorgan in Dublin, not exactly a seafaring town- but I've been down in Cork for ten years and it's a great place to work and live!
20 The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
INTERVIEW