UN/LOCODE: IEDRO📍 Ireland
Port of Drogheda (UN/LOCODE IEDRO)
❖ Coordinates: 53.7179°N, -6.3561°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Dublin
❖ UN/LOCODE: IEDRO
## About the Port
Located on the River Boyne at the mouth of the historic town of Droghead, **Port of Drogheda (UN/LOCODE: IEDRO)** serves as a strategic maritime gateway for Ireland’s east‑coast logistics chain. Situated at **53.717856° N, ‑6.3560985° W** and operating under the **Europe/Dublin** time zone, the port lies within the **County Louth** jurisdiction and benefits from direct rail, road, and inland waterway links to Dublin, Belfast, and the wider European hinterland.
The port is administered by the **Drogheda Harbour Authority**, a statutory body mandated under the Irish Ports Act 1995, and is integrated into the national **Network of Irish Ports** overseen by the Department of Transport. Its geographical position, approximately 50 km north of Dublin, makes it an optimal hub for short‑sea freight, bulk commodity handling, and emerging offshore renewable energy projects.
---
## History
### Early Origins (12th–17th centuries)
- **Medieval charter** – Drogheda received its first trading charter in 1194, granting the town rights to collect customs on ship‑borne goods arriving via the Boyne River.
- **Viking influence** – Archaeological evidence indicates Viking activity along the riverbank, suggesting that the site functioned as a minor trading post long before the Norman settlement.
### 18th–19th centuries: Expansion and Competition
- **Industrial boom** – The construction of the *Boyne Navigation* in the early 1800s facilitated the movement of coal, timber, and agricultural produce, linking Drogheda to the interior of Ulster.
- **Rail integration** – The opening of the Dublin‑Belfast railway line (1844) introduced a multimodal transfer point, positioning Drogheda as a competitor to the larger Dublin Port for bulk cargoes.
### 20th century: Modernisation
- **World War II** – While neutral Ireland avoided direct combat, Drogheda’s harbor was used for limited Allied supply runs, prompting the installation of light dredging equipment.
- **Post‑war infrastructure** – The 1960s saw the construction of concrete quays and the introduction of mechanised cargo handling gear, aligning the port with contemporary European standards.
### 21st century: Diversification
- **EU integration** – Ireland’s accession to the European Union in 1973 spurred investment in port facilities, with EU Structural Funds supporting the expansion of a dedicated **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (RoRo)** terminal in 2005.
- **Renewable energy focus** – Since 2018, the port has hosted assembly and staging operations for offshore wind turbine components, capitalising on Ireland’s ambitious 2030 renewable targets.
For a deeper regulatory overview, see the **Irish Port Statistics 2023** (official publication) – gov.ie↗.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Core Assets
| Facility | Specification | Primary Use |
|----------|----------------|--------------|
| **Main Berth (Berth 1)** | 220 m length, 10 m draft (max) | General cargo, containerised freight |
| **RoRo Terminal** | 180 m quays, 12 m draft, 2 ramps | Vehicle import/export, project cargo |
| **Bulk Handling Area** | 30 000 m², 8 m draft, conveyor system | Coal, aggregates, fertilizers |
| **Container Yard** | 12 hectares, 4,000 TEU capacity, automated gate | Import/export containers, empty‑box handling |
| **Offshore Wind Hub** | 10 hectares, heavy‑lift cranes (up to 400 t) | Staging of turbine blades, foundations |
### Supporting Services
- **Customs & Security** – Fully compliant with the EU Customs Union and the **AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)** programme.
- **Warehousing** – Climate‑controlled storage (cold chain) and bonded warehouses providing up to 15 days of free storage.
- **Pilotage & Towage** – Certified Irish pilots and a fleet of twin‑screw tugs ensure safe navigation of vessels up to 15,000 GT.
- **Environmental Management** – ISO 14001‑certified waste handling, a 2022–2027 marine‑habitat restoration plan and shore‑side oil spill containment facilities.
The port’s **Integrated Port Management System (IPMS)** offers real‑time berth allocation, automated invoicing, and a customer portal that aligns with the **Maritime Logistics Standard (MLS)**, improving transparency for shippers and freight forwarders.
---
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Regional GDP
- **Direct employment** – Approximately 720 full‑time positions, spanning dock operations, logistics, and support services.
- **Indirect impact** – An estimated 2,400 jobs are generated in related sectors such as transport, manufacturing, and professional services.
The **Central Statistics Office (CSO)** estimates that Drogheda Port accounts for **≈ 3.1 % of Ireland’s total maritime cargo throughput**, positioning it as the third‑largest Irish port by volume after Dublin and Cork.
### Strategic Sectors
- **Agriculture & Food Processing** – The port handles substantial shipments of dairy, meat, and cereal products destined for EU markets, leveraging Ireland’s “Food Export Hub” branding.
- **Renewable Energy** – Since 2019, more than **1.2 million t** of wind‑farm components have transited through Drogheda, supporting the planned 4 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030.
- **Construction Materials** – Aggregates and cement imports feed the West‑Louth infrastructure boom, including the **M1 Motorway** extension and regional housing projects.
### Competitive Advantages
1. **Proximity to Dublin** – A 45‑minute road journey to Dublin’s intermodal terminals reduces inland haulage costs.
2. **Shallow‑draft capability** – The Boyne’s natural depth allows medium‑size vessels (up to 15 000 GT) to dock without extensive dredging, lowering port fees.
3. **Multimodal connectivity** – Direct rail links (Iarnród Éireann) to the national freight network enable seamless container transfers.
These factors collectively enhance Drogheda’s attractiveness to logistics providers seeking a cost‑effective alternative to larger, congested ports.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Lanes
| Direction | Key Partner Ports | Approx. Frequency |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------------|
| **North‑East Europe** | Rotterdam (NL), Hamburg (DE), Antwerp (BE) | 3–4 weekly sailings |
| **British Isles** | Liverpool (GB), Belfast (NI) | 2–3 weekly sailings |
| **Mediterranean** | Barcelona (ES), Marseille (FR) | 1–2 weekly sailings |
| **North‑American** | Halifax (CA), New York (US) – occasional | Seasonal (4–6 per year) |
The port’s **scheduled services** are primarily operated by **Crown Shipping Ltd.**, **Grimaldi Lines**, and **Drewry Maritime**, offering both liner and tramp voyages that align with Ireland’s import‑export calendars.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Key Importers/Exporters |
|------------|----------------------|------------------------|
| **Containerised Goods** | 1.2 M TEU | Consumer goods, electronics, automotive parts |
| **Bulk Coal & Energy** | 800 kt | Power stations (north‑west), steel mills |
| **Agricultural Products** | 620 kt | Food processors, dairy co‑ops |
| **Renewable‑Energy Components** | 1.2 Mt | Wind turbine manufacturers (e.g., Vestas, Siemens Gamesa) |
| **Project Cargo (Heavy Lift)** | 380 kt | Construction firms, offshore oil & gas services |
The **container flow** is dominated by **North‑European** import routes, supporting Ireland’s high‑value consumer market. Conversely, **bulk exports** largely consist of **agricultural surpluses** shipped to the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
### Emerging Trends
- **Green Logistics** – A pilot **electrified cold‑storage facility** is under evaluation, aiming to reduce the port’s carbon footprint by 12 % by 2028.
- **Digital Trade Facilitation** – Integration with the **EU’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)** platform enables pre‑clearance of documentation, cutting average vessel turnaround time from 18 hours to under 12 hours.
---
*Port of Drogheda continues to evolve as a pivotal node in Ireland’s maritime ecosystem, balancing legacy bulk operations with forward‑looking renewable‑energy logistics and digital trade services. Its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and diversified cargo mix make it a cornerstone for regional economic resilience and a gateway for trans‑Atlantic commerce.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
IEDRO
Country
Ireland
Province / Region
Louth
Latitude
53.717856
Longitude
-6.356098
Timezone
Europe/Dublin
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Drogheda?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Drogheda is IEDRO.
Where is Port of Drogheda located?
The Port of Drogheda is located in Ireland, Louth. Its coordinates are 53.7179°N, -6.3561°E.
What time zone is Port of Drogheda in?
Port of Drogheda operates in the Europe/Dublin time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.62 m
Wave Direction87°
Swell Height0.52 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Drogheda.
Dublin
Ireland • 41 km awayCarrickfergus
United Kingdom • 118 km awayBelfast
United Kingdom • 143 km awayCairnryan
United Kingdom • 164 km away