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Irish Ferries Owner ICG Grew Profits Last Year Despite Port Closure of Holyhead

3rd March 2025
Irish Ferries is seeing the return to a more normalised market after the temporary closure of the Port of Holyhead, which is estimated to be fully open on 1 July. The Ireland-Wales route is operated by Ulysses and other vessels, among them WB Yeats (above), which chiefly serves between Dublin and Cherbourg, France.
Irish Ferries is seeing the return to a more normalised market after the temporary closure of the Port of Holyhead, which is estimated to be fully open on 1 July. The Ireland-Wales route is operated by Ulysses and other vessels, among them WB Yeats (above), which chiefly serves between Dublin and Cherbourg, France. Credit: Jehan Ashmore

Irish Ferries parent owner, Irish Continental Group (ICG), grew its operating profit marginally last year despite the closure of the Port of Holyhead.

The Dublin-listed ICG has said it is beginning to see the return of a more normalised market on the central Irish Sea following the North Wales ferry ports (partial) reopening in January.

Today, ICG informed investors of its preliminary Statement of Results, which stated that it generated an operating profit of €69.1 million in the 12 months to the end of December. This represents an increase of 1 percent from €68.4 million when compared to 2023.

The maritime transport group, based on Alexandra Road, Dublin Port, made a profit before tax of €62.2 million, which was down marginally from €63.3 million the year before.

Another key indicator of ICG’s performance is through its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)—which, to €133.5 million, is up marginally from €132.6 million. While revenue was up by 5 per cent, from €572 million to €603.8 million.

Commenting on the preliminary results, ICG said, is a robust result against the disruption in Holyhead and a challenging yield environment in the container market”

The Irish Times has further coverage on results from the ferry division and more.

Published in Irish Ferries
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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About Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries, owned by the Irish Continental Group, is a a major ferry operator in Ireland, providing daily and weekly links to and from Ireland for tourism and freight travelling between Ireland and the UK and Ireland and the continent. Irish Ferries has a fleet of six ships, three of which service the busy Dublin to Holyhead route.

The ICG Chairman is John B McGuckian and the CEO is Eamon Rothwell.