Columns - Irish Examiner

John Whelan

An expert in Irish and international trade, John Whelan is a former Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association, a role he held for more than a decade and previously served as an export industry adviser to the AIB Bank Group.

John Whelan: Rising costs set to further challenge Irish exporters this year

Prices rose sharply last year for cars, fuel, food, and furniture as consumers responded to Covid lockdown with a spending splurge

Mon, 17 Jan, 2022

John Whelan: Irish exports to China can continue to grow in Biden era

Donald Trump's aggressive stance towards China created opportunities for Irish exporters to expand sales to the Chinese market and there has been no change in policy since Joe Biden was elected US president

Mon, 03 Jan, 2022

John Whelan: Fresh sanctions on Russia not good for Irish exporters

A more sober response is needed from the EU, and lessons must be learned from the sanctions that were imposed in 2014, writes John Whelan

Mon, 27 Dec, 2021

Stranded container ship Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, is seen after it ran aground, in Suez Canal

Manufacturers facing into perfect storm of rising energy costs and wage growth

At the heart of today’s manufacturing challenges are rampant fuel pricing and materials shortages

Sun, 28 Nov, 2021

John Whelan: It's small Irish firms that struggle most with sky-high shipping costs out of China

The roots of the shipping crunch affecting all markets can be traced back to a chronic over-reliance on China as a manufacturing base

Sun, 24 Oct, 2021

Kuwait Promises To Increase Oil Production In Case Of War

John Whelan: Irish industry braces for its own winter of discontent as fuel costs bite

The rapid increase in natural gas prices dominated the headlines last week, but rising oil prices have the potential to be a much bigger worry

Sun, 10 Oct, 2021

Forklift reach stacker is lifting the reefer container in the container depot as for business and shipping logistics background.

John Whelan: As workers return to offices supply chain risks pile up

Long-distance shipping used to be more than 80% predictable, now there is only a one-third chance of your ship arriving on time

Mon, 20 Sep, 2021

John Whelan: Crisis reboots Irish computer exports

Exports from Ireland's computer software companies in the first half of 2021 reached record sales growth of 27% — to €78bn

Sun, 12 Sep, 2021

Are free trade deals really working for Irish exporters?

All EU states registered large increases in exports outside Europe with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus

Mon, 02 Aug, 2021

Aboard The World's Largest LNG Powered Container Ship

John Whelan: Shipping costs fuelling fresh inflation fears

With upwards of 80% of all goods trade transported by sea, freight-cost surges are threatening to boost the price of everything imported into Ireland

Sun, 04 Jul, 2021