The Irish Exporters' Association (IEA) has called on the Minister for the Marine to approve Dublin Port's expansion plans if a "capacity crisis" at the port is to be averted.

While all ports are facing difficulties, Dublin's looming shortfall is expected to "become critical" by 2007 at the latest, John Whelan, chief executive of the IEA said yesterday.

However, Drogheda Port Company believes it may be able to release significant pressure on Dublin if its plans for development of a deepwater port in Fingal, which is rail-linked and close to the M1 motorway, are supported.

Fingal county councillors have already inserted a specific objective in the Draft Fingal County Development Plan to facilitate the development of the new deepwater port at Bremore. A variation to the development plan, which will address effects on Balbriggan, Balscadden and the surrounding area, will be undertaken in the next few months, according to Paul Fleming, chief executive of Drogheda Port.

The IEA outlined its concerns about port capacity, nationally, when it released a study on the issue in Dublin yesterday.

In Dublin's situation, trade volumes had increased last year by 7.3 per cent. This year, it would be required to handle about €40 billion of exports, and a trade volume growth of 6-10 per cent is forecast to 2010.

Dublin Port Company plans to develop a 21-hectare site at the Alexandra Road Extension (beside the Norse Merchant Ferries Terminal) but this requires approval and consent from the Department before a planning application can be made to Dublin City Council.

The IEA has called for "immediate action" by the Department, followed by "rapid zoning designation by Dublin City Council".

Responding to the IEA call in relation to Dublin Port, a Department of the Marine spokesman said last night that it had asked the port company to give certain statutory declarations regarding ownership of the land.

Discussions were continuing before any foreshore issue could be resolved, the spokesman said.

Drogheda Port Company said that it planned to offer an integrated 24-hour deepwater port within 20 minutes of Dublin if the Bremore project goes ahead. The new port would be able to accommodate new short-sea shipping services linking Ireland with Britain, Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic states, Mr Fleming said.