Arial view of Dublin Port - - Dublin Port Company is a self-financing, private limited company wholly-owned by the State, whose business is to manage Dublin Port, Ireland’s premier port. Established as a corporate entity in 1997, Dublin Port Company is responsible for the management, control, operation and development of the port. Dublin Port Company provides world-class facilities, services, accommodation and lands in the harbour for ships, goods and passengers. The company currently employs 192 staff.

- Dublin Port Expected to Handle Record Trade Levels of 30 million tonnes in 2007 -

Dublin Port Company has released Dublin Port’s trade and tourism figures for Q3 (July – September 2007). The figures released today reveal continued increases in export and import levels passing through the port and an increase in ferry passenger numbers.

Dublin Port continues to experience high growth in trade levels. Total throughput for Q3 amounted to 7.9 million tonnes, which brings the total level of trade so far this year to 23.6 million tonnes. Throughput for the year to date is up 9% compared to the same period in 2006. For the first nine months of the year, imports amounted to 15.3 million and exports amounted to 8.3 million tonnes, which represents a 7% and 9% increase respectively.

The sector experiencing the highest levels of growth is the unitised Lo-Lo (Lift-on Lift-off) sector, which predominantly represents the transit of consumer goods. In Q3 Lo-Lo twenty foot equivalent units (TEUS) amounted to over 195,000 TEUS, bringing the total number of LoLo units so far this year to 558,000, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. The RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) sector also experienced high levels of growth, amounting to 560,000 units in the first nine months of the year, which amounts to a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. 

The number of ferry passengers to pass through the port between July and September 2007 was over 370,000. This brings the total number so far this year to 958,000, which is a 4% increase compared to the same period last year. In the past number of years, the ferry travel sector has experienced a decline in passenger numbers, though 2007 is now showing a welcome reversal in this trend.

It was another good year for the cruise industry at Dublin Port, with a total of 70 cruise ships calling to Dublin Port this season. Together the cruise ships brought in over 50,000 high spend passengers, generating between €35 million and €50 million for city traders.

Commenting on the successive increase in trade levels this year, Michael Sheary, Chief Financial Officer, Dublin Port Company, said, “The sustained increases in trade passing through Dublin Port, demonstrates that Dublin Port continues to be the port of choice for exporters and importers, who benefit from the direct and efficient access to the Dublin and surrounding markets, offered by Dublin Port. With the busy Q4 period already upon us, handling ever increasing levels of trade for the Christmas season, it is expected that for the first time, Dublin Port will handle in excess of 30 million tonnes of trade. We continue to invest heavily in Dublin Port’s facilities to maximise our capacity levels and efficiencies in handling the country’s rising trading levels.”

Sheary added, “We are also pleased to see an upturn in the ferry travel sector, which for the first nine months of 2007 is up 4% compared to 2006. Dublin Port Company remains committed to supporting this industry and this year has invested significantly in promoting ferry travel.”

Dublin Port was recently named Port of the Year for 2007 at the All Ireland Transport and Logistics Awards.  It is the second time in four years that Dublin Port Company was presented with this award and secures Dublin Port’s position as Ireland’s port of choice. The annual award recognises the Irish Port with the most efficient and comprehensive service portfolio and facilities on the island of Ireland regardless of their size.  It measures the experience and skill of the management, the infrastructure of the port and the business itself.