The Sustainable and Holistic Management of Irish Ports (SHIP) project, funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014–2020, assessed the sustainability of Irish ports and developed a policymaking framework to minimize environmental damage from unsustainable port operations. Given Ireland’s reliance on ports for economic and trade development, SHIP emphasized the role of ports in sustainability, particularly in reducing emissions by shifting freight transport from road to sea. However, managing ports sustainably is complex due to diverse activities and stakeholders. Through research and stakeholder engagement, SHIP proposed a framework with recommendations across governance, innovation, decarbonisation, linkages, efficiency, and investment. The project also highlighted the need for clearer roles among port stakeholders in long-term sustainability planning and recommended collaborative efforts to develop a shared vision and implementation strategy.

This report has been prepared at the request of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) which is a statutory office within the Marine Institute and operates under the aegis of the Department of Transport.

The Irish Maritime Development Office, on behalf of the Department of Transport, commissioned Steelesrock Strategy Consulting to conduct a scoping study on future skills needs in Ireland’s maritime industry. The study aimed to address knowledge gaps regarding evolving skills requirements since the 2015 Expert Group report and the impact of industry changes, including offshore renewable energy development, on ports and related sub-sectors. It focused on five key maritime sub-sectors over a 10-year horizon, analyzing education standards, international trends, and the current state of the Irish maritime economy. The methodology included a desk study, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of findings, leading to key conclusions and recommendations.