Ireland’s ports have wrapped up a week-long campaign dedicated to strengthening safety awareness and collaboration. Irish Port Safety Week 2025 (the fifth annual event) concluded on 24 October, with water awareness in sharp focus. Organised by the Irish Port Safety Forum and supported by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the event once again united ports across Ireland to reiterate the common message that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
This year’s theme, water safety, placed the maritime environment at the centre of the national conversation. Across Ireland, live drills, hands-on training and public engagement activities were organised. Irish Port Safety Week reinforced the importance of awareness, preparedness and respect for the sea in daily port operations. The initiative also highlighted the safety risks inherent in cargo handling, from crane operations to terminal logistics.
Dublin Port leads by example
At Dublin Port, Ireland’s biggest facility, a packed schedule of workshops and demonstrations drew strong participation from staff, contractors and visitors. The HSA launched a new code of practice for the Safe Use of Industrial Trucks, while port employees took part in CPR and self-defence training, guided safety tours, and a mental health talk by New York born author and advocate Rory O’Connor.
Harbour Master Michael McKenna said this year’s programme built on the Dublin SafePort initiative launched in 2022. “This marks Dublin Port’s fifth year participating in Irish Port Safety Week, a collaborative initiative that unites Port Authorities across Ireland in a collective mission to elevate safety standards,” he said.
Water and cargo at the heart of safety
There is a deepening engagement with the community, and reinforcing the role of safety in every aspect of port activity. Exercises by the RNLI, Dublin Fire Brigade and An Garda Síochána complemented the port’s training programme, while road safety checks and infrastructure tours demonstrated how land, marine and cargo-handling operations are interlinked in maintaining safe port environments. “Port safety is not just a priority,” said McKenna. “It’s a pre-condition for port operations and a responsibility upon everyone who works at the Port. Whether you’re a port worker, visitor, or customer, understanding and respecting the risks associated with working in a port is essential.”
Throughout the week, Dublin Port used practical demonstrations to highlight how design, technology and emergency response systems underpin operational safety. “Water safety is fundamental to everything we do,” McKenna added. “By bringing people out onto the water, we’re not only showcasing our safety systems. We’re reinforcing the importance of awareness, preparedness, and respect for the maritime environment.”
Cork and Waterford focus on learning and teamwork
At the Port of Cork Company, the week included a visit from HSA Inspector Gerald McSweeney, who met teams at the Tivoli Terminal to discuss regulatory updates and best practice. From terminal operators to administrative staff, the emphasis was on continuous improvement and shared accountability for safety across all functions.
Further east, the Port of Waterford marked the conclusion of the week with the theme Building a Safer Port, Together. Highlights included a live man-overboard rescue exercise with Waterford City River Rescue (CRBI), digital safety clinics hosted by the online compliance management specialists Dulann. Heart-starting CPR workshops were sponsored by Seamus Healy Mooring Ltd. The port also made a donation to the Dillon Quirke Foundation, supporting cardiac screening for young people.
Aligning with international frameworks
The Irish initiative reflects a growing international movement to embed safety and sustainability into port operations. Globally, port authorities are aligning with safety management frameworks, such as the IMO’s mandatory International Safety Management Code. Irish Port Safety Week show how these principles translate into practice on the ground — whether on the quay, in cargo-handling areas, or aboard vessels.
Safety is not a once-a-year campaign but a daily commitment was a key takeaway from the quaysides. From mental health to maritime rescue and cargo-handling protocols, the breadth of this year’s events demonstrated that the industry’s approach to safety continues to evolve. Integrating technology, teamwork and compassion stands as an example of how shared learning can make operations safer for everyone, from dockside to bridge deck.