Port of Cork sees turnover increase

The company responsible for running Cork's ports today reported an increase in turnover for the year 2008 of 5.5% to €26.3m, with pre-tax profits of €4.1m.

In a statement the Port of Cork company however said total traffic at 10.1 million tonnes was down 5% on the record 2007 figures of 10.6 million tonnes.

"This reduction is a direct result of the slowdown of the Irish economy in the second half of 2008," the statement said.

A record 51 cruise liners called to the port during the year, bringing over 70,000 passenger and crew to the region and contributing in excess of €44m per year to the local economy, the company said..

The company described as a 'major disappointment and setback' the refusal by An Bord Pleanála for a new container terminal and multipurpose roll-on roll-off berth at Oysterbank.

"It is the strong belief of the Port of Cork Company that the development of new port infrastructure capacity is essential for economic enhancement of Cork city and region and for the competitiveness of the Irish economy," said Chief Executive Brendan Keating.