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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

Freight traffic stacks up for Irish Ferries

Economic upturn to thank for increase in volume

IRISH FERRIES CARRIED 11.8% more in freight during 2013 than 2012 thanks to an improvement in the economy, parent company Irish Continental Group (ICG) said in annual results released today.

ICG said that it had recorded a “solid financial and operational” year, with results “a welcome sign of Ireland’s return to improved economic health”.

Revenues at ICG climbed by 3.4% to €264.7m, with operating profit showing a jump of 13.2% to €30m. The company said that growth in the freight market had led it to invest further in Dublin/Holyhead and Dublin/Cherbourg routes over the next few years.

There was a modest increase in passenger numbers, which grew 1.6% to 1.568m passengers, driven mainly by a marked reversal in passenger traffic from the UK following a sluggish period which saw visitor numbers dropping.

ICG said:

Our business benefited from the start of a recovery in demand in the British market for Ireland’s Tourism product where overall visitor numbers grew slightly following four years of serious decline.

They said that Ireland’s attractiveness in the British market is “critical” to future growth for the company.

Value of Irish food and drink exports nearly €10bn in 2013>

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23 Comments
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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:05 PM

    All this good news must have people worried, sure what are they going to moan about if things are going well?

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    Mute Michael O'Neill
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:24 PM

    There you go Paul. Ger found something.

    19
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    Mute in_zane_burger
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:28 PM

    Tingz wear better wen tingz was worser

    22
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    Mute Michael J Hartnett
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:26 PM

    Hauliers are the back bone of the country. They even deliver the economy.

    38
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    Mute Orla Machin
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:21 PM

    Brilliant customer service, always with Irish Ferries. They go out of their way to help.

    30
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    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:07 PM

    They went out of their way to get rid or their Irish staff.

    59
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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:36 PM

    Greedy Irish Staff.

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    Mute jimjoryrt
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:41 PM

    The way they faced down the unions was an inspiration to us all, they stood up to the bullies and showed the rest if us the way

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    Mute John Curry
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:56 PM

    You must have met the ONE that can speak english

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    Mute Finbar Mc Donald
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    Mar 6th 2014, 5:40 PM

    You mean polish ferrys find stena much better

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    Mute Michael Hegarty
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:55 PM

    Maybe its all the baled waste heading abroad for incineration. Export all our problems?

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    Mute Gerard Casserly
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:17 PM

    Or it could be an increase in emigration.
    People shipping their stuff overseas.
    Containers on ships is not always good news.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:26 PM

    Or maybe they are transporting all the illegal cannabis grown in Co Clare to supply markets on the continent.

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    Mute jimjoryrt
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:40 PM

    Thanks Enda :)

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    Mute Michael
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:09 PM

    Which way is the freight going? Mainly in or out? Without that information just Journal spin! Not very accurate reporting

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    Mute RonanM
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:46 PM

    Does it matter, it’s keeping a Irish comapny going who have just announved lots of expanction at start of the year. Jobs are being secured in Irish and British ports.

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    Mute Michael
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    Mar 6th 2014, 5:44 PM

    You should really read up on how a successful economy works import export, balance of trade etc.

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    Mute John Curry
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    Mar 6th 2014, 7:36 PM

    oh yeah. a truly great irish company. who flag out their ships under the Cypriot flag to limit the need to comply with best practices. who use an agency to employ non EU crew and and pay way below the minimum wage with minimum leave. a true shining light.

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    Mute Michael J Hartnett
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    Mar 6th 2014, 8:05 PM

    John they have the best ferries & service on the Irish sea. You may be correct about how they behave towards their staff but your argument is damaged by your misinformation.

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    Mute John Curry
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    Mar 7th 2014, 2:29 AM

    Micheal. would you mind explaining what you .mean by my misinformation?

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    Mute Michael J Hartnett
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    Mar 7th 2014, 9:50 AM

    Your suggestion about using best practices is vague & designed to be that way to call into question the highest standards used by IF. These ferries are the best on the irish sea with the best service on that sea. Nothing comes close for service or comfort. I know i travel on all these ferries serveral times a week.

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    Mute John Curry
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    Mar 7th 2014, 3:30 PM

    micheal…..if you travel with IF on a regular basis you might remember when a truck driver died due to a heart attack. he was attended by a nurse who was travelling on the ship. she requested the use of a defibrillator and was told that there was none on the ship. This was confirmed by an Irish Ferries spokesperson on national radio. they said it wasnt required and yet when these ships were manned by Irish and Uk crew there were defibeillators onboard and crew trained in the use of same. This Micheal is one example of what i mean by best practices. So next time you travel enjoy your comfort but for your sake dont have a heart attack!

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    Mute freightlink
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    Sep 30th 2015, 2:34 PM

    We agree that Hauliers and Couriers are the backbone of the country (referring to the UK but we sure it’s the same for Ireland). This has been proved during the #opstack crisis caused by the nonsense at Calais recently. We really want to do more business with Irish Ferries as our freight customers always have good feedback about them. Roll on 2016.

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