#DublinPort – First quarter figures for Dublin Port Company in 2014 reveal accelerating cargo volumes as outlined below in addition to a breakdown of specific shipping sectors.

Cargo volumes as follows:

• Imports +8.5%
• Exports +12.1%
• Total volume +10.0%

Having finished 2013 with annual growth of 3.1%, growth accelerated in the first three months of 2014 against the background of a weak start to the previous year.

Specific sectorial performance was as follows:

• Unitised trade (Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo) increased by 9.5%
• Bulk commodities increased by 12.0%.

This included an increase in bulk liquids (mainly petroleum products) of 7.0% and an increase in bulk solids (with animal feed and cereals the largest commodities) of 21.3%

• Trade vehicle imports increased by 10.9%
On the tourism and passenger side, volumes declined:
• Ferry passengers decreased by 4.9%
• Tourist vehicles on ferries decreased by 4.1%

If the rate of growth of cargo volumes in the 12 months to the end of March 2014 were to continue for the remainder of the year, Dublin Port would have a volume during 2014 equivalent to 99% of the peak in 2007 and would achieve a record volume next year.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the port lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project, which at an estimated €200m represents the first large scale investment programme of the Dublin Port Masterplan 2012-2040. For further details of the ABR project visit: www.dublinportabr.ie