Volcano boost to ICG profits

THE volcanic ash emissions from Iceland in April provided a boost to first-half profits at ferry operator Irish Continental Group (ICG) as passenger numbers jumped 12%.

The company, which operates Irish Ferries saw pre-tax profits increase to €8.2 million for the first half of 2010, up from €5.8m last year.

As the airline industry was crippled from the ash disruption earlier in the year ferries group Irish Continental saw passenger numbers in the first half of 2010 grow 12% to 695,700. This helped to offset a fall in roll-on/ roll-off freight volumes.