The Major Ports of Ireland

The Major Ports of Ireland

Ireland, like the UK, is an island nation. Therefore, their ports are their main gateways into accessing trade with Europe and the World. Here are 5 of Ireland’s largest ports. 

Port of Dublin

Dublin is Ireland’s leading port and handles approximately 80% of all containers that enters Ireland. It overall handles around 35% of all Irish Trade. Based on the East coast of Ireland, its located on the Irish Sea. It is owned and managed by Dublin Port Company. Peel Ports operates the container terminal. Although it only supports short sea feeder routes, it offers these key benefits.

• Ireland’s main container port.
• Proximity to over a third of the population.
• Can support both container and Ro/Ro.
• It operates key short sea feeder routes with Liverpool, Holyhead, Rotterdam and other key continental ports.
• Trinity Logistics has facilities locally.
• Set to develop further.

Port of Cork

• Offers direct shipping route to major EU ports as well as USA.
• Can handle containerised freight as well as roll on roll off cargo.
• Strong sustainability focus.
• Offers direct access to Ireland’s industrial base with access to many key industries including pharmaceuticals and IT.

Shannon Foynes Port

• Strong push on sustainability
• Has major shipping routes to USA and Canada and Europe.
• Can handle much larger vessels due to the nature of its port.
• As the leading port on the West coast, it diverts traffic away from the major eastern Ports.

Rosslare Europort

Unlike these other ports, Rosslare primarily focuses on Roll-On/Roll-Off cargo. On the South Eastern Coast, it is located on the Irish Sea. It is operated by Iarnród Éireann. Key benefits of this port include:

• Has key cargo and passenger routes across western Europe, including UK, France, Belgium and Spain.
• It offers the only border inspection post outside of Dublin for the handling of live animal and agricultural products.
• Strong focus on sustainability. 
• As most routes skip the UL and go straight to the EU, it removes hassle of UK customs and regulations in place since Brexit.

Port of Waterford

Based in the South East of Ireland, it sits along the estuary of 3 rivers.  It is operated by the Port of Waterford Company. Key benefits include:

• Closest Irish Port to Europe
• Can accommodate for Lift-On/Lift-Off cargo and Roll-On/Roll-Off cargo. 
• Strong green initiative, with rail route serving as key route in and out of port.
• Strong access to motorways
• Situated between Ireland’s 2 largest cities.

Honorary mention: Port of Belfast

Although not in the Republic of Ireland, due to framework from the Good Friday Agreement, typical post Brexit regulation do not occur. Northern Ireland still exists in the EU single market and act as a possible port for trade. Benefits for Port of Belfast can be seen below:

https://trinitylogistics.uk/the-ports-of-the-united-kingdom/