Port of Greenore now integrated in primary port data records managed by CSO
Irish Ports Shine Amidst Booming First Quarter
It's no secret that Ireland's seaports have been bustling lately, as new statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal a substantial 7% increase in total goods handled during Q1 2025, compared to the same period last year. That's approximately 12.9 to 13 million tonnes of goods moving through the islands' ports!
Delving deeper, the CSO disclosed that goods leaving Irish ports amounted to a hefty 4 million tonnes. Meanwhile, a staggering 9 million tonnes of goods were received within the first three months of the year.
Interestingly, the port of Greenore in County Louth has officially met the necessary criteria to be recognized as a main statistical port for the first time in the latest three-month period under review. Greenore joins the ranks of distinguished ports like Bantry Bay, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Rosslare, Shannon Foynes, and Waterford. This marks a significant uptick in main statistical ports in Ireland, rising from seven to eight – a first since this series began in the first quarter of 2017!
As the newcomer, Greenore proudly takes its place alongside these port powerhouses. The combined number of main statistical ports across the Emerald Isle now stands at eight.
According to the CSO, this exciting milestone of an increasing number of statistical ports in Ireland is an event worth noting. So what does this mean for Ireland's maritime economy?
A close inspection of the CSO's data indicates that a remarkable 2,557 vessels made their way to Irish ports during the first quarter of 2025, a slight increase compared to the 2,488 that graced the shores during the same period in 2024. Impressively, Dublin Port accounted for 58% of vessel arrivals and a whopping 47% of the total tonnage of goods handled in the three months.
The data also reveals some intriguing regional insights, as it appears that Great Britain & Northern Ireland accounted for roughly 29% of the total tonnage of goods handled in the main ports by region of trade. Meanwhile, EU countries maintained a larger share of 48%.
Overall, it's safe to say that Ireland's ports are seesawing with activity, poised for even greater growth. So buckle up and keep sight of those ships, as the ride ahead looks to be nothing short of sensational!
Source: Based on Search results from Central Statistics Office (CSO), adjusted for readability and coherence
[1] Central Statistics Office (2025): Goods Handled in Irish Seaports Q1 2025. Available online: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/hhis/goodshandledinirishseaportsq12025/
[2] Central Statistics Office (2025): Goods Handled in Irish Seaport Q1 2025 – Detailed Tables. Available online: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/hhisdetailed/goodshandledinirishseaportsq12025detailed/
[3] Central Statistics Office (2024): Goods Handled in Irish Seaports Q1 2024 – Summary. Available online: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/hhis/goodshandledinirishseaportsq12024/
[4] Central Statistics Office (2024): Goods Handled in Irish Seaport Q1 2024 – Detailed Tables. Available online: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/hhisdetailed/goodshandledinirishseaportsq12024detailed/
- The increase in goods handled at Irish ports could potentially lead to further investments in the finance sector, as the booming industry requires more financial resources to accommodate growing transportation needs.
- As the transportation sector continues to thrive due to the increased goods handled at Irish ports, the finance industry may also benefit from increased transactions and investments associated with the Industry, Transportation, and Finance (ITF) sectors.
