The Maritime Legislation framework in Ireland encompasses both national and international laws to ensure maritime safety and environmental protection. The Department of Transport, through the Maritime Safety Directorate, issues Marine Notices to communicate critical regulatory updates to maritime stakeholders.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) provides a comprehensive overview of Ireland’s shipping routes, detailing both RO/RO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) and LO/LO (Lift-On/Lift-Off) services from major ports including Cork, Dublin, Rosslare, and Waterford to key international destinations such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Roscoff, Zeebrugge, and the USA. These routes are operated by leading shipping companies like Maersk, CMA-CGM, BG Freight Line, DFDS, Samskip, and Brittany Ferries, offering crucial logistics links for trade across Europe and beyond. The IMDO serves as Ireland's national agency for the promotion and development of the maritime transport sector.

Irish ports are vital to the country’s economy, handling over 90% of Ireland’s imports and exports and supporting the travel of approximately 4.5 million passengers annually. Serving various industry sectors, these ports provide critical transport services, facilities, and maritime supply chain solutions. With Ireland’s heavy reliance on maritime routes, the national port infrastructure plays a key role in facilitating the daily movement of goods and people. Major port companies include Dublin Port, Cork Port, Shannon Foynes, Rosslare Europort, and several others across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.