Dublin Port turnover down 13%

Operating profit and turnover fell at Dublin Port during the first half of 2009 while throughput also declined.

According to new trade figures published this morning, throughput was down 15.7 per cent to 12.9 million tonnes. Turnover fell 13 per cent to €30.7 million compared to €35.3 million for the same period a year earlier while operating profit declined by 4.5 per cent to €12.1 million.

The number of passengers going through the port during the first six months of 2009 was up 7.6 per cent to 634,082 while the number of tourist cars rose 19.7 per cent to 144,853.

In addition to releasing figures for the first half of 2009, Dublin Port also published its annual report today.

According to the report, operating profit increased by 25 per cent last year despite turnover remaining broadly in line with the previous year at €70.6 million.

Throughput at Dublin Port last year totalled 29.6 million tonnes, down from 30.9 million a year earlier.

The number of ferry passengers passing through the port in 2008 was down slightly at 1.26 million, compared to 1.3 million in 2007.

During 2008 the company invested €26.6million in infrastructural improvements.