Dublin Port increased its volume by 11.9 per cent in the third quarter, new figures indicated today.
According to Dublin Port Company's quarterly results, some 7.5 million tonnes passed through the port in the third quarter of 2006, with imports totalling 4.8 million tonnes, and exports reaching 2.6 million tonnes.
This is an increase of 10.7 per cent and 14.3 per cent respectively on the same period in 2005.
Total throughput for January to September this year reached 21,734 million tonnes, an 8.4 per cent increase on the same period a year earlier. Dublin Port Company chief executive
Enda Connellan said the port on target to reach its highest annual trade volumes to date of almost 30 million tonnes.
Ferry passenger numbers, on the other hand, slipped 10.1 per cent, a fall that is being blamed on competition from budget airlines.
However, in the cruise industry, the quarter was described as the port's busiest year to date.
During 2006, the Dublin Port Company played host to 75 cruise liners, with more than 65,000 passengers and 28,000 crew members on board.