In the first half of 2025, unitised traffic on the island of Ireland exhibited diverging patterns across the two principal cargo modes. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) volumes in the Republic of Ireland declined modestly, falling by 2% to 573,038 units, while Northern Ireland recorded a 2% increase to 460,730 units. By contrast, Lift-on/Lift-off (LoLo) throughput grew strongly in the Republic of Ireland, increasing by 11% to 643,631 TEUs, while remaining broadly stable in Northern Ireland at 109,412 TEUs. The combined effect is that all-island RoRo traffic was largely unchanged on 2024 levels, while all-island LoLo volumes rose by 9%.
These traffic outcomes took place against a backdrop of favourable macroeconomic conditions. According to the Central Statistics Office, inflation in Ireland averaged 1.6% in the first half of 2025, below the Eurozone average of 2%. Unemployment stood at 4.7%, compared with 5.9% in the EU, while employment levels remain historically high, with half a million additional jobs created since 2019.1 Fiscal policy has also remained expansionary, supported by elevated corporation tax receipts. The Government’s Summer Economic Statement 20252 announced €34 billion in additional capital investment over the next decade, including electrical grid, water, housing, and transport infrastructure. These indicators point to continued strength in the domestic economy and provide a supportive environment for trade flows through Irish ports.
Within this context, the most notable development in recent quarters has been the divergence in trends between the RoRo and LoLo markets. The IMDO’s analysis using a Hodrick–Prescott (HP) filter of quarterly time series data highlights this divergence clearly. The HP filter is a standard statistical tool used in economics to separate long-term trends from short-term fluctuations. When applied to RoRo and LoLo volumes, it shows that RoRo traffic has plateaued and is gradually declining, while LoLo traffic is on a pronounced upward trajectory. The chart below illustrates these opposing movements, with LoLo throughput reaching new highs while RoRo stabilises.
This juxtaposition is significant for policymakers and industry stakeholders as RoRo and LoLo represent approximately half of all freight transport through Irish ports. Their diverging paths have implications for infrastructure planning and future capacity requirements. The relationship between the two modes is complex, with substitutability varying across markets, routes, and product groups. The IMDO continues to analyse these dynamics and engage with shipping operators, port companies, and trade stakeholders to better understand the drivers.
The evidence to date confirms that the unitised freight market remains resilient, with LoLo recording record throughput in the Republic of Ireland and RoRo volumes holding steady. The differing trajectories underline the importance of continuous monitoring, rigorous analysis, and open dialogue with industry. The IMDO will continue to report quarterly on these developments, providing government and stakeholders with objective and timely information to inform policy and investment decisions.
