A new study of Irish seaports has found there is "significant available capacity" for lo-lo (load on, load off) traffic, and that current planning will meet future demands.
Minister of State for transport Pat the Cope Gallagher told a conference in Galway that this was one of the main findings of the capacity study.
Addressing the Irish Ports Association, Mr Gallagher said the review by Fisher Associates was more optimistic than a similar report published by Ibec. The review found that current available capacity for ro-ro (roll on, roll off) traffic also existed, but was less so than in the case of lo-lo, Mr Gallagher said.
Six proposals for lo-lo expansion were received from Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Greenore, Shannon-Foynes and Waterford. Proposals for ro-ro expansion were received from Drogheda and Rosslare.
