Cargo movements fall at city port

The port of Belfast has suffered because of the global economic downturn, according to figures released on Wednesday.

The figures revealed that cargo movements in 2008 fell by 5.5% to 16.5 million tonnes.

This followed a six-year period of continued growth.

Container and oil traffic were each down by 5%. Construction sectors were worst affected with timber imports falling by 38% and steel by 21%.

However, there were some trading increases.

Projects

Scrap metal was up by 8.6% and fertiliser imports rose by 5%. The stone trade, benefitting from road maintenance projects in Great Britain, was up 4%.

Despite the slump, the Harbour Commissioners still want to make Belfast the leading port in Ireland.

"We are very much still committed to our £630m capital investment programme... to cater for a growing economy whenever that returns," said Commercial Director Joe O'Neill.

"We can cater for not just our existing customers.

"We can cater for a much wider customer base and a much wider geographical area within Ireland so we have very clear ambitions on that front."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/