#FERRY NEWS- The Irish Continental Group (ICG) ferries division, Irish Ferries has recorded no change in operational profits for the first six months of 2012, compared to the same period last year.

According to its financial interim report, profit from operations was unchanged at €3.2 million (2011: €3.2 million), after a €2.5 million increase in fuel costs. Revenue in the division was €69.5 million (2011: €68.2 million).

Irish Ferries operates passenger and freight ferry services between Ireland-UK and between Ireland and France. In the first six months of 2012, Irish Ferries operated 2,087 sailings in the period, down 2.8% compared to the same period last year.

In the half year the operator reported an increase in total passengers carried of 0.9% at 676,700 while total cars carried in the first half of 2012 were 148,700, down 1.9% on the previous year, but at higher yields. The overall sea passenger market was down 3.3% and the car market was down 7.5%.

On the freight Ro-Ro sector, volumes were down 4.7% to 92,400 units, when compared with the first half of 2011 reflecting the weak economic backdrop. The total Ro-Ro market is estimated to be down about 3% in the six months.

The MV Kaitaki, the former Irish Sea serving Isle of Innishfree (1995/22,365grt), remained on charter to P&O during the period, trading in New Zealand. Since her transfer in 2006, the Dutch built ro-pax has been operating Interislanders' Wellington-Picton service which links the country's north and south islands.