Freight News


Holyhead-Dublin could be green shipping corridor, says report

[ September 19, 2025   //   ]

The ferry route between Dublin Port and the Port of Holyhead could be a prime candidate for a green shipping corridor with ships burning green methanol, according to a study by environmental consultancy firm, Ricardo. It could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, it said.

Greening the Irish Sea – The Central Corridor’ wasproduced in partnership with Irish Ferries and Stena Line, the ports of Dublin Port and Holyhead, EDF UK R&D and Maynooth University.

Methanol was found to be the most practical alternative fuel for this route, as it was possible to modify existing vessels and there is already bunkering and handling experience compared with other emerging fuels. Additional safety measures are required, but methanol presents fewer operational challenges compared to ammonia or hydrogen. Battery-electric solutions were also explored but deemed infeasible due to the high energy demand, vessel size and operational flexibility needed on this route. 

The Holyhead-Dublin trade route is the busiest ro ro route between the UK and Ireland. Dublin Port handles almost 80% of Ireland’s unitised freight.

Ricardo principal consultant, Matthew Moss, said: “This study shows that the Holyhead–Dublin corridor offers strong potential as an early green shipping route in Europe. The combination of high traffic volumes and vessel suitability means it is a realistic location to trial alternative fuels at scale. While additional infrastructure investment will be required, methanol offers a pathway that can be enabled in the near term through vessel retrofits and established handling practices.

“To build on this work, clear policy signals and government support will be essential in creating the conditions for investment and deployment, helping accelerate the wider decarbonisation of the maritime sector.”

Stena Line’s Irish Sea south trade director, Johan Edelman, added: “It is incredibly encouraging to see the results of this feasibility study highlight Dublin-Holyhead as a potential green corridor. Sustainability is a strategic priority for Stena Line and as part of our long-term vision for a greener future.”

He pointed out that Stena has already commissioned two new freight ships for another Irish Sea route, Heysham/Belfast, both equipped to operate on methanol fuel., saying: “These ships have been purpose-built for the Belfast – Heysham route with the first is due to enter service on 22 September. We welcome government support to allow us to continue to offer cleaner more efficient transport solutions across our Irish Sea network.”

Irish Ferries managing director, Andrew Sheen, said: “We see a clear pathway toward operating a green corridor, but significant infrastructure development is needed across the supply chain to make alternative fuels cost-competitive with conventional options. We strongly urge our governments to reinvest the substantial revenues generated through carbon taxes into research, development, and the scaling of alternative fuels and their supporting infrastructure.”

Dublin Port Company head of engineering and sustainability,  Ken Rooney, said: “One of the major challenges for critical infrastructure providers such as Dublin Port is the emergence of multiple possible alternative fuel options. Focusing on green methanol as one of these options gives us and the project partners a clear, realistic potential option to reducing emissions on this critical sea route. This presents an opportunity to have a material impact on marine emissions in the Irish Sea and gives us a better understanding of the needs of the sector, particularly in relation to energy supply. We are ready to work with our partners and customers to build upon the work of this initial study.”

Maynooth University lecturer in operations and supply chain, Dr Patrick Rigot-Müller, commented:: “Dublin-Holyhead is one of the main northern European ferry corridors in terms of potential for CO2 reduction. It is well-suited to serve as a demonstration project for Green Shipping Corridors in Europe..”

And head of future energy systems R&D at EDF, Rebecca Rosling, said: “This project exemplifies how targeted innovation – such as the adoption of e-fuels like e-methanol, produced using low-carbon electricity – can accelerate decarbonisation in high-impact areas.”

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