All Other Ireland Ports, Ireland
Key regional gateways, Ireland’s other ports drive vital trade, energy, and connectivity across the island.
Port Overview
Beyond Dublin and Cork, Ireland's ports are strategically located across its coastlines. The Port of Foynes is a major bulk port, handling significant cargo volumes. Other notable ports include Drogheda, Galway, and Bantry Bay, each serving regional trade needs. Greenore Port, located on the east coast, handles containers and bulk cargo. Dundalk Port is known for its growth in general cargo management. These ports contribute to Ireland's maritime economy, though their TEU capacities vary, with Greenore handling around 20,000 TEUs annually. They play crucial roles in regional trade and economic development.
Facilities & Infrastructure
All Other Ireland Ports feature key terminals for bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo, with facilities including deepwater berths, extensive storage, and warehousing. Major cargo handling equipment includes mobile harbour cranes (such as Liebherr LHM400, LHM250, and LHM550), fixed arm cargo handlers, conveyor systems, and bulk loading shovels. Container operations use RTG cranes, straddle carriers, tugmasters, and container handling machines. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not widely reported in these ports.
Container Terminals
Ireland’s main container terminals outside Dublin are at Cork, Waterford, and Shannon Foynes. Cork Container Terminal has two berths, a capacity of about 330,000 TEU annually, and features semi-automated operations. Waterford has one main container berth with a capacity near 120,000 TEU, operating manually. Shannon Foynes handles limited container traffic with conventional berths. Major operators include Port of Cork Company, Belview Port (Waterford), and Shannon Foynes Port Company.
Port Services
- Container handling: Lift-on/lift-off operations, secure storage, reefer plug-in points, container weighing, maintenance, and depot facilities.
- Cargo operations: Loading, unloading, bulk and project cargo management, hazardous goods handling, and transshipment services.
- Ship services: Berthing, vessel scheduling, pilotage, towage, and ship repair.
- Warehousing: On-site storage, bonded warehousing, and inventory management.
- Customs: Customs clearance, documentation, and inspection support for import/export cargo.
Global Connectivity
All Other Ireland Ports, including Shannon-Foynes, Rosslare, Waterford, and Donegal, provide vital connectivity to the UK, continental Europe, and global markets. These ports serve regions across western, southern, and northern Ireland, supporting industries and communities outside the Dublin and Cork corridors. Key shipping routes link Ireland to major hubs such as Southampton, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Le Havre, facilitating efficient access to European and international trade networks.
Port Statistics
All Other Ireland Ports – Key Statistics
- TEU Throughput: Approximately 75,000 TEU annually (excluding Dublin; mainly Cork and Waterford)
- World Ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top 100 container ports
- Number of Berths: Typically 10–20 across main secondary ports (Cork, Waterford, Rosslare, Greenore)
- Port Area: Cork (c. 130 hectares), Waterford (c. 50 hectares), others smaller
- Shipping Lines: Served by major European short-sea carriers including MSC, CMA CGM, BG Freight Line, and Eucon
