Today's other business news stories in brief.
Port signs deal to boost traffic
Dublin Port yesterday signed a deal with Dutch shipping company Cobelfret Ferries, which, together with Belgian C2C Shipping Lines, will increase the number of roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) units handled through the port by 10 per cent annually.
The new services will link Dublin with mainland Europe through four new sailings to the ports of Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. The vessels being used have a capacity for 366 freight units which equates to 3km of truck lengths. “This new service demonstrates the international trade’s commitment to Dublin Port and is a vote of confidence in Ireland’s premier port,” said Enda Connellan, chief executive of Dublin Port Company.
In response to calls last week from Irish Continental Group chief executive Eamonn Rothwell for a 10 per cent cut in charges at the port, a spokesman pointed out that the current charges are lower than they were 20 years ago.
Xavier appointed as Version 1 chairman
IT services and consultancy company Version 1 has appointed BDO Simpson Xavier founder Anthuan Xavier as its chairman. The firm said the appointment came on the back of strong growth recorded last year. Mr Xavier retired from BDO Simpson Xavier in 2005.
Mobile broadband offer for students
O2 has launched a discounted mobile broadband service for students.
The new service will allow students to get mobile broadband for €9.99 per month. This would be based on a 10GB monthly data allowance and a 12-month contract.
Fall in British house prices slowing down
House prices in England and Wales fell at their slowest annual rate in almost a year in August, as prices rose for the first time in more than two years on the month, according to property data company Hometrack.
House prices rose 0.1 per cent from July, the first
monthly rise since July 2007, leaving the annual rate of decline at 6.7 per cent, the slowest since last September. - (Reuters)
Barrington buys Aer Lingus shares
Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington bought 60,000 shares in the company last week at a cost of €30,600, the airline revealed yesterday.
Mr Barrington, who joined the board of Aer Lingus last year, bought the shares on Friday at 51 cent apiece and now owns 0.01 per cent of the airline.
He did not own any stock in Aer Lingus up to that point.
Fellow director Anne Mills also bought shares in Aer Lingus last week.
