Profits at Port of Cork up to nearly €8m in 2025

Company’s turnover reached €55.2m last year, up from €52.1m in 2024

The company said the increase in profit before tax was due to increase in the liquid bulk, container trades and storage income.

The Port of Cork Company saw its profit for the 2025 financial year increase by 46% to just under €8m, as it increased the amount of goods it handled through the year by 1.3 million tonnes, its latest annual report shows.

Last year, the company’s turnover reached €55.2m, up from €52.1m in 2024. As a result, it generated an operating profit of €9.1m — up from €6.9m.

The company said the increase in profit before tax was due to increase in the liquid bulk, container trades and storage income.

After tax, the company reported a profit for the financial year of €7.95m — up from €5.43m.

Total consolidated traffic through the port reached 10.2 million tonnes, an increase from the 8.9 million recorded in 2024. Container trade grew by 5% to 292,669 shipping containers.

“The increase in the container trade resulted in an increase in storage income as a result of a shift in trade flows in response to US tariffs, shipping delays at European ports and adverse weather conditions,” the company said in its annual report.

Liquid bulk traffic rose to five million tonnes, an increase of 1.2 million tonnes, driven by activity at Whitegate Oil Refinery. Oil traffic at the Whiddy oil storage facility in Bantry Bay amounted to 242,276 tonnes, an increase of 157,288 tonnes in 2024.

Dry bulk volumes remained steady at 1.6 million tonnes.

The company said its dedicated cruise terminal in Cobh recorded a “strong cruise season” last year, welcoming 103 cruise liners to Cork Harbour and Bantry Bay.

It recorded about 172,000 passengers arriving into the region.

Chief executive of the Port of Cork Company Ann Doherty said last year was defined “by resilience and disciplined operational delivery”.

“Global trade conditions remained highly complex and challenging, shaped by shifting tariff policies and increased competitiveness across international markets. Despite this backdrop, our teams delivered exceptional service for customers while managing higher volumes and maintaining world‑class operational standards,” she said.

“The Port of Cork continues to play a vital role in supporting industry, trade and communities across the region, and this year’s results demonstrate the strength and adaptability of our organisation.” 

Earlier this week, the Central Statistics Office published the latest quarterly data on traffic through Irish ports. Between April and June, the total volume of goods handled by the eight main Irish ports was 13.6 million tonnes, a fall of 1% when compared with the same period last year.

The Port of Cork handled 2.29 million tonnes during this period — a marginal decline year-on-year of 0.43%. During the first six months of the year, the port handled 4.656 million tonnes of goods, a marginal increase on 2025.