Irish shipping and port activity rose by 4% in the first quarter of
2014 when compared to the corresponding period of 2013, according to the
latest quarterly iShip Index* published today by the Irish Maritime
Development Office (IMDO).The latest analysis also indicates that four
of the five principal freight segments grew in the first quarter of
2014.
The Roll on/roll off freight segment experienced volume
growth of 6% in the first quarter to 217,339 units. March saw traffic
increase by 10% when compared to the same month last year. The majority
of Roll on/roll off traffic moves between Ireland and Great Britain and
this freight segment is a simple but reliable indicator of the level of
trade between both economies.
Container traffic (lift on/lift off)
grew by 6% to 149,634 units. Encouragingly container imports have now
risen for two consecutive quarters; Q4 2013 +3% and Q1 2014 +6%. This is
the first time this segment has recorded two consecutive quarterly
increases since before 2008. Container exports have again returned to
growth increasing by 7%, the first quarterly increase since early 2012.
The
overall bulk traffic segment saw tonnage volumes decline by 2% when
compared to the previous year. However, this is largely attributed to
the animal fodder crisis in Quarter 1 2013, which saw large import
volumes of animal feed, as well as reduced demand for coal in Quarter 1
2014. Commodities such as cement, petroleum based products, and
fertiliser all saw volumes increase in Quarter 1. Break bulk, which
largely consists of imports of construction and project related
commodities, increased by 57%. Break bulk tonnage volumes, while not a
direct link to construction industry activity; have mirrored
improvements in the industry since Q2 2013.
Passenger numbers
declined by 11% in the first quarter, largely due to the fact that the
Easter holidays fell in April rather than March this year, while tourist
car numbers declined by 7%. However, passenger & car numbers
significantly increased in April as expected, aligning figures for the
first four months of 2014 with those of 2013.
Summary of Freight Traffic Trends: Republic Of Ireland
| |
Q1 2013 |
Q1 2014 |
% |
|
|
(1) Lift-on/lift-off (Lo/lo): (TEU)
|
140,710 |
149,634 |
+6% |
|
|
:Laden Imports:
|
77,874 |
82,502 |
+6% |
|
|
:Laden Exports:
|
62,836 |
67,132 |
+7% |
|
|
(2) Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/ro): (Units)
|
204,707 |
217,339 |
+6% |
|
|
(3) Dry Bulk: (Tonnes)
|
4,211,738 |
3,868,021 |
-8% |
|
|
(4) Liquid Bulk: (Tonnes)
|
2,687,237 |
2,798,030 |
+4% |
|
|
:Excluding Transhipments:
|
2,533,052 |
2,618,352 |
+3% |
|
|
(5) Break Bulk: (Tonnes)
|
193,255 |
303,945 |
+57% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Republic of Ireland: Passengers *
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Q1 2013 |
Q1 2014 |
% |
|
| |
Tourist Passengers
|
353,348 |
313,426 |
-11% |
|
| |
Tourist Cars
|
99,691 |
92,271 |
-7% |
|
*Please note Easter fell in March 2013 and in April 2014
Source: Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO)