A new steel-framed gantry costing €3.4m has been constructed at Dublin Port, specifically for dairy and food export containers.

The new reefer gantry allows for refrigerated containers to be stacked up to five high and for each container to be plugged into the electrical system maintaining temperature control while the containers wait at port.

The system works with lift-on, lift-off containers, the volume of which increased by 9% at Dublin Port in 2025. A significant proportion of these containers are used for exporting dairy ingredients.

ADVERTISEMENT

A new substation is also being built in Dublin Port to power the increased electrical demand for the new facility.

Dublin Port has announced an eight-year licence agreement with Doyle Shipping Group to operate the new reefer gantry.

Speaking at the launch, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said:

“Many of Ireland’s key exports depend on reliable cold chain logistics, particularly the Irish dairy export sector, which reached a record €7.3 billion in 2025, a 14% increase on prior years.

“The EU remains our largest market, accounting for 38% of dairy exports, with the UK consistently our top single country destination. Much of this trade passes through Dublin Port, with multiple daily services directly linking Ireland, the EU and the UK.

“I welcome the delivery of projects such as this, which help safeguard quality, support exporters and keep trade moving.”