Ferry operator Stena Line has said it was interested in operating the Dublin-Liverpool route that is to be vacated by P&O.
Earlier this month, P&O said it was axing the route towards the end of the year due to the unavailability of a berth in Merseyside next year.
As a result, it said it will not be able to maintain the current service into 2024.
But now Stena Line has confirmed it will be registering an interest in re-establishing a Dublin-Birkenhead service.
"Stena Line already operates services at both ports and believes that the addition of a new Dublin-Birkenhead service to its Irish Sea route portfolio would complement its existing Belfast to Birkenhead and Dublin to Holyhead operations," said the ferry company.
"Stena Line understands that Dublin Port will now initiate a selection process to identify a potential new operator for the Dublin-UK corridor and Stena Line can confirm that it will be participating fully in this process."
Dublin Port Company (DPC) confirmed that it is beginning the process of selecting an operator servicing west coast English or Welsh ports, excluding Holyhead, out of Dublin.
"This will continue to ensure that there is competitive choice available on direct shipping routes between Dublin Port and the UK," it said in a statement.
"DPC expects significant demand from ferry companies to operate new routes, and has already received expressions of interest from a number of operators."
"DPC will be seeking proposals from interested ferry lines within the next 10 days. The selection process is expected to take a number of weeks."
P&O makes 24 sailings a week using two ferries on the route, which is mainly used to transport freight between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Approximately 3,000 Roll On, Roll Off units are carried on the Dublin-Liverpool route each week by P&O.
The decision to cut the route was met with disappointment by hauliers, as the connectivity had been there for a long time and is particularly important in the wake of Brexit.
The Minister for Transport has said sufficient capacity does exist on other services to allow for the displaced freight to be accommodated.
Sinn Féin's has called on the minister to do "everything possible" to ensure the route is maintained.
