Irish Continental Group, owner of Irish Ferries said its group revenue for the first four months of 2021 came to €89.3m, an increase of 0.4% compared with last year and a 12.7% decrease on 2019.

As RTE News reports, the trading update from ICG showed that total revenues in its ferries division fell by 9.4% to €37.1m.

This was mainly due to the continued restrictions on non-essential passenger travel imposed by governments across Europe in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it said the drop was partially offset by an increase in freight revenues. Total freight revenues to May 8 increased by 5.2% over the same time last year and decreased by 1% versus the same time in 2019.

For the year to 8 May, Irish Ferries carried 15,900 cars, a decrease of 62.5% on the previous year.

Freight carryings were 83,500 RoRo units, a decrease of 18.9% compared with 2020.

But ICG said its performance since its last trading update up to 6 March shows an improving trend, with car carryings and RoRo freight down 29.8% and 5.3% respectively on the same time in 2020.

It said the impact of reduced freight carryings has been offset by higher revenue yields as more of its customers availed of its direct services to the Continent.

For further trading performance including containership divisions and based at its Belfast and Dublin terminals, click here.

In addition click this link to consult ICG's trading update volumes