Ireland is continuing a major reform of its port sector. Last week, the Irish government launched the final public consultation on the review of the National Port Policy (NPP) from 2013. The government claims that the current NPP is outdated, having been introduced more than a decade ago. With trade growth in Ireland, there is a need to accelerate investments in ports to create new capacity.
A 2023 study on Ireland's port capacity concluded that Ireland has sufficient port capacity until around 2040. However, due to slow port development, there are serious risks of port capacity shortages. The study recommended that the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) conduct regular analyses of future capacity to align port master plans for development beyond 2040. This represents one of the policy tasks in the review of the 2013 NPP.
“The government’s National Port Policy is a landmark moment for Ireland’s maritime and trading future. The clear support for the development of a new deepwater port on the east coast underscores the national importance of the Bremore Port project,” said Paul Fleming, CEO of Drogheda Port Company.
The NPP review project has put an end to proposals to relocate Dublin Port. Proponents of relocation argued that Dublin has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, greatly increasing pressure on the city’s port infrastructure and resources. In the context of the current housing crisis, relocating Dublin Port would free up vast tracts of land for the construction of thousands of new homes, supporters added.
However, the IMDO report showed that of the 79 stakeholders who responded to the previous consultation on this issue, only five supported the relocation of Dublin Port. Based on the evidence presented, the IMDO concluded that simultaneous relocation of the port, including all the land infrastructure servicing the port, would be both unlikely and impractical.
Nevertheless, the NPP review project supported the development of a new deepwater port on the east coast to capture additional growth in freight traffic in trade after 2040. This gives momentum to the proposed Bremore Port project in County Louth, which is a joint venture between Drogheda Port Company and Ronan Group Real Estate. If investments are made, this will be the first development of a deepwater port on the east coast in over a century.
In addition to maritime and logistics operations, Bremore Port is also expected to meet Ireland's green energy needs, including the developing offshore wind energy sector on the east coast.
