THE Port of Dublin's unitised trade, trailers and containers combined, fell 13.5 per cent year on year to 321,000 units during the second quarter with ro-ro declining by 13 per cent to 225,000 units and boxes down 14 per cent to 173,000 TEU.

This came after a 4.8 per cent cargo decline in first quarter, attributed to Brexit stockpiling in the first quarter of last year, there was a further and steeper decline in the second quarter as Covid-19 impacted on the country.

Imports of new trade vehicles through Dublin Port in the April to June period decreased by 64.9 per cent to 9,900 and a significant decline appears inevitable for the rest of the year, reported London's Sea News.

Bulk liquid volumes, primarily petroleum products, declined 37.8 per cent to 715,000 tonnes. Aviation fuel accounts for more than one-fifth of all petroleum imports in Dublin Port and the impact of Covid-19 on air travel has greatly reduced demand.

Likewise, reduced car traffic during the lockdown has greatly diminished demand for petrol and diesel.

Bulk solids declined 20.6 per cent to 388,000 tonnes. Ferry passenger numbers decreased 78.2 per cent to 120,000, the great majority of whom were truckers, critical supply chain workers. The number of tourist vehicles fell 84.2 per cent to 24,000.

Source: Schendet