The UK Landbridge is a crucial trade route connecting Irish importers and exporters to international markets via the UK’s road and port network. Favored for its speed, it handles over 3 million tonnes of goods annually. However, Brexit introduces customs and border controls, increasing transit times and costs, which could weaken Irish trade competitiveness. A study assessing landbridge traffic highlights its significance and the challenges posed by Brexit.

The offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector in Europe has tripled since 2012, driven by offshore wind investments exceeding €22 billion and a growing focus on cost reduction and innovation. Despite having some of the largest offshore renewable resources in Europe, Ireland's development remains limited, with only one offshore wind project to date. However, new policies like the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) are encouraging investment, with projections of 1,500MW to 5,200MW of ORE capacity by 2030, primarily offshore wind.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), established in 1999, is the national agency responsible for developing Ireland’s maritime industry and advising the government on policy to drive economic growth and employment. A key initiative is the report Ship Finance: Opportunities for the International Shipping Industry, prepared with KPMG and Dillon Eustace, which highlights Ireland’s advantages as a ship financing hub.

Ireland possesses one of the world’s highest offshore renewable energy potentials, with up to 73,000 MW available from wind, wave, and tidal sources, and the sector is set to grow significantly, particularly in offshore wind farm operations in the Irish Sea, with £17 billion in investment from the UK alone. Ports play a crucial role in supporting this industry, and the Irish Ports Offshore Renewable Energy Services (IPORES) report evaluates 14 Irish ports for their capacity to meet these demands, categorizing them based on infrastructure readiness.