Irish Shipping

Irish Shipping Ltd
IndustryPassenger transportation
Freight transportation
Marine insurance
Founded21 March 1941
Defunct14 November 1984
FateLiquidation
HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
Area served
Global trade
OwnerIrish Government
DivisionsIrish Continental Line
Belfast Car Ferries

Irish Shipping Limited was an Irish state-owned deep sea shipping company, formed during World War II for the purpose of supplying the country's import needs. Its ships were usually named after trees. Its contribution to Irish neutrality was recognised by the government after the war. In the post-war years the company continued to operate as a commercial strategic reserve until 1984 when, as a result of taking on a series of expensive long-term time charters, it was forced into liquidation.