Shipping group, Irish Continental (ICG), is looking for good profit growth this year, following the 6 per cent cut in the seasonal loss before tax from £1.9 million to £1.8 million in the first half to April 30th 1997.

Anticipating a good second half, the shares bounced ahead by 42p to a record 825p.

It has completed the substantial investment in new cruise ferries with the delivery of the 2,200 passenger/122 truck Isle of Inishmore and its introduction on the Dublin/Holyhead route, and the transfer of the Isle of Innisfree - built in 1995 - to the Rosslare/Pembroke route, said managing director Mr Eamonn Rothwell.