Page 21 - Linkline Yearbook 2019

Awarding of Fellows (L-R) Andrew Sheen, Conor Mowlds, Helen Noble, Frank Ronan, and Brendan Keating
In terms of Brexit, what preparations are ongoing at the Port of Cork?
Brexit is the main conversation point when you talk to anyone in the industry, it's the overriding issue at the moment. There of course is a lot of negativity around what could occur in the case of a hard Brexit, but every port in Ireland is making the right preparations. There are also opportunities in Brexit and I think Cork is well suited to make the most of those opportunities.
We have recently opened a link to Santander and if a hard Brexit happens those links will be something we'll be expanding. There are opportunities to build direct links to mainland Europe and we're constantly monitoring the situation and how we can leverage benefit from it. We are being proactive.
What's also refreshing is the level of communication between all those operating in the ports business in Ireland. We are all working together with common purpose. This became very apparent to me at a recent UK/Irish chamber event in the UK where we met some of our British counterparts.
What's clear is there is a joined up thinking here at departmental and port level, we're making ourselves 'Brexit ready', and at a far greater level than the equivalent agencies are in the UK, and that's very good to see and it is reassuring to see the maturity and cohesiveness in terms of the planning that's going on.
Anything last comments to add?
I'm delighted to be asked to profile in Linkline. CILT do tremendous work and I'm delighted to be involved with the Institute.
When Conor Mowlds was conferred as a Fellow
The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport 21
INTERVIEW