Ireland’s commercial seaports are vital transport arteries, carrying 99% of the countries external trade. Their critical importance to economic prosperity is demonstrated by the fact that the value of this trade was approximately €130 billion for 2005, compared to a figure of €14 billion through our airports. 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. Between 1990 and 2005, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-15 maritime transport increased by 50%. However, the transport of materials via the sea has the least impact on greenhouse gas emissions when compared to aviation, rail or road transport.