Cruise passengers up 7pc in Dublin
DUBLIN Port notched up a 7.5pc increase in cruise ship passengers last year as the capital becomes an increasingly popular destination for cruises.
Some 87 cruise ships brought more than 135,000 passengers and crew to Dublin last year, Dublin Port Company said yesterday as it unveiled figures for the year.
The number of ferry passengers fell 5.6pc to 1.7 million last year -- although the figures were distorted by bumper figures for 2010 which saw numbers surge as the volcano in Iceland grounded flights across northern Europe. Last year's ferry passenger numbers were 11.1pc higher than in 2009.
Dublin Port Company, which accounts for about half of all Ireland's trade and is soon due to launch a masterplan for the next three decades, reported that exports continued to rise last year while imports fell.
Dublin Port chief executive Eamonn O'Reilly said that, given the large increase in throughput recorded in 2010, last year's steady levels were a "robust performance".
He added that despite the current economic environment, Dublin Port's overall trade levels are just 9pc behind their 2007 peak.
- John Mulligan
Irish Independent
