Cargo volumes rose by 5.3 per cent at Dublin Port during the first three months of the year with total throughput reaching 7.8 million gross tonnes, compared to 7.4 million for the same period a year earlier.

This marks the strongest first quarter growth in a decade, according to new figures published on Monday.

Imports were particularly strong at 4.7 million gross tonnes, up 6.9 per cent versus the 4.3 million gross tonnes recorded a year earlier. Exports reached 3.1 million gross tonnes, up 3 per cent on the 3 million tonnes for the same period in 2014.

Imports of new cars and commercial vehicles continued to grow with almost 32,917 new vehicles coming through Dublin Port in the first three months of the year, up 38.8 per cent on the first quarter of 2014.

“We are expanding the capacity of Dublin Port to cater for future growth with a focus on working within the existing footprint of the port and maximising the use of existing port lands. Our plans include the lengthening and deepening of the port’s berths and shipping channel and the redevelopment of existing lands for more intensive cargo handling,” said Eamonn O’Reilly, chief executive, Dublin Port Company.

“Our current plans are centred on the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project which we hope to commence during 2015. In addition to providing additional capacity for cargo, this project will allow us to bring the world’s largest cruise ships right up to the East Link Bridge,” he added.

Trade grew strongly in both the Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) and Lo-Lo (Lift-on Lift-off) sectors during the first quarter. Compared to the same period last year, Ro-Ro trailers increased 7.2 per cent to 207,042 while the port’s Lo-Lo container business rose 7.3 per cent to 146,156 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU).

On the tourism side, Dublin Port said it attracted 277,269 ferry passengers in the first three months of the year, a 5 per cent rise on the first quarter of last year.