n the first half of 2023, Irish ports experienced significant declines in Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and Lift-on/Lift-off (LoLo) freight volumes due to inflationary pressures. RoRo volumes fell by 3%, or 20,000 units, while LoLo volumes dropped by 9%, equating to 55,000 TEUs. Inflation, driven by rising energy costs since early 2022, increased transportation and goods costs, suppressing trade across most routes. RoRo traffic decreased in four of the last five quarters, with Rosslare-Europort as the sole port showing growth, thanks to a shift in services to Rosslare. Brexit's impact remains evident, with direct RoRo traffic to the EU consistently higher than pre-Brexit levels. LoLo traffic also saw declines, mirroring global trends in container trade. Despite this, easing inflation, robust domestic growth, and low unemployment signal potential recovery. Resilience in the Irish maritime sector, demonstrated during Brexit and COVID-19, offers optimism for overcoming these economic challenges.