Dublin Port Company, the State-owned company which runs Dublin Port, has reported underlying operating profits of €28.5m for last year, an increase of 7% on the previous year. This came as turnover grew by 6% to €70.5m.
30.9 million tonnes of goods went through the port last year, up 6% on 2006, while ferry passenger numbers rose by 12% to 1.3 million. The ferry figure represents a turnaround after some years of decline.
During the year, the company also made a once-off profit of €109m from the sale of the Irish Glass Bottle site. It says this money was used for its pension fund, to pay off borrowings and to support its capital investment plans.
The company says it expects to see a similar level of trade this year despite the economic downturn. For the first half of 2008, the volume of goods at the port is down 0.9% on a year earlier, though turnover is up 3.8% at €35.3m.
Dublin Port Company's chief financial officer Michael Sheary said the company last year became the first State port firm to pay a dividend to the Government. The dividend was €4.2m.
