Ports set for a ‘radical overhaul’

The Government has hinted at “a radical overhaul” of the ports network in the aftermath of further declines in freight business.

Freight volumes shipped through Irish ports fell in the first three months of the year, with numbers not expected to pick up until the second half of 2012.

The Irish Maritime Development Office data shows only one of the five principal freight segments — tanker/liquid bulk — experienced year-on-year growth, with a 30% rise being measured.