This study assesses the capacity within the port system to meet present and future demand over the period to 2040, as required
in the National Ports Policy (2013).

The Terms of Reference for this work required consideration of the following:

• Demand

  To prepare a forecast of the likely demand for Irish imports and exports (goods only).

• Capacity

  To carry out an assessment of existing capacity and capacity to be added in the short-term, as well as future planned capacity of the Irish ports.

• Connections

  To understand the importance of connections to the hinterland and how these support the ports.

• Risks

  To profile the potential risks and threats to future capacity likely to affect the ports.

This study covers all the Irish ports categorised in the NPP as Tier 1 and Tier 2 ports, as well as those of regional significance, with the exception of New Ross. The study has also taken account of the port of Greenore, which is privately owned, and the Northern Irish ports of Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint.

The ports assessed are presented in Figure I with their classification and 2017 throughput
illustrated.

A key objective of the study is to develop a standardised approach to demand and capacity assessment for the Irish ports going forward. The baseline analysis was undertaken in 2018 using Eurostat data from 2017 and information received from the ports
in June 2018.