Shipping

Ireland ’s commercial seaports are vital transport arteries, carrying 99% of the country’s external trade.  Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, it is planned to invest €480 million in upgrading strategic ports facilities and regional harbours.  There is predicted to be a doubling of the volume of roll-on/roll-off port traffic from 6 million tonnes to 12 million tones on foot of this investment.

Like aviation, greenhouse gas emissions from shipping transport are growing.  In 2007, international maritime transport accounted for 3.3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the EU-27 states. However, the transport of materials via the sea has the least impact on greenhouse gas emissions when compared to aviation, rail or road transport.