A new study by environmental consultancy Ricardo has identified the busy ferry corridor between Dublin Port and the Port of Holyhead as one of Europe’s strongest candidates to become a dedicated green shipping corridor.
The research highlights the adoption of green methanol as the most practical alternative fuel, with the potential to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80%. This initiative is a major step toward the decarbonisation of maritime transport across the Irish Sea.
Why Green Methanol?
The study, Greening the Irish Sea – The Central Corridor, conducted with partners including Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Dublin Port, Holyhead Port, EDF UK R&D, and Maynooth University, concluded that methanol is the most viable fuel for this route.
-
Retrofitting potential: Existing vessels can be adapted to run on methanol, avoiding the need for entirely new fleets.
-
Operational advantages: Compared to ammonia or hydrogen, methanol presents fewer safety and handling challenges.
-
Established practices: Ports already have some experience with methanol bunkering and logistics, making it a realistic near-term solution.
While battery-electric options were also examined, they were ruled out because of high energy demands and vessel size requirements for this high-traffic route.
Economic and Strategic Importance of the Route
The Dublin–Holyhead route is the busiest roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) connection between Ireland and the UK. In 2024:
-
Nearly 1.6 million passengers travelled on the route.
-
More than 6,000 sailings accounted for over 70% of ferry passenger movements between the two nations.
-
Dublin Port handled almost 80% of Ireland’s unitised freight, underlining its role as a vital economic hub.
Because of this heavy traffic and strategic importance, the corridor offers a unique opportunity to test green shipping technologies at scale. However, stakeholders stress that success depends on government investment, clear policy support, and reinvestment of carbon tax revenues into alternative fuel infrastructure.
The Dublin–Holyhead ferry route stands at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation in Europe. With green methanol emerging as a feasible alternative, this busy trade artery could soon serve as a demonstration project for sustainable shipping corridors.
However, achieving this vision requires collaboration between governments, port authorities, ferry operators, and energy providers. If successful, the initiative will not only transform the Irish Sea but also set an example for green maritime transport across Europe.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Clean Shipping
