| Business in the UK's freight shipping industry has been | | | | infrastructure and network will help meet consumer |
| booming over recent months. The port of Belfast is | | | | needs moving forward. |
| experiencing one of the busiest periods in its 400 | | | | He is quoted as saying, |
| year history. And now figures from the country's | | | | "We are pleased with our performance in 2005, |
| leading sea freight lines show that freight shipping | | | | particularly on the Irish Sea. Our Republic of Ireland |
| volumes increased by 8% between 2004 and 2005. | | | | routes have performed well while our services into |
| The Reasons for the Increase in Freight Shipping | | | | Northern Ireland have also demonstrated robust |
| Volumes | | | | development in a tough market area, assisted by our |
| The greatest freight shipping growth area has been | | | | first full year's operation on the Fleetwood to Larne |
| on Irish sea routes. In this area volumes increased by | | | | route which from day one has proven a very |
| 16% between 2004 and 2005. The reason for | | | | successful acquisition for us. |
| increased freight shipping volumes on this route was | | | | "In recent years we have invested around |
| the acquisition of the Fleetwood to Larne service by | | | | £60 million in our vessels in order to improve |
| one of UK's main shipping lines. This acquisition added | | | | the quality onboard and create attractive onboard |
| 259,200 freight units to the total volume shipped on | | | | environments," he added. |
| this route in 2005. | | | | Areas for Concern for the Freight Shipping Industry |
| Furthermore, the North Sea and Scandinavian | | | | Despite this optimism, the rising price of oil is a |
| markets experienced similar growth figures. | | | | concern for the entire freight shipping industry. |
| The Future of Freight Shipping | | | | Freight shipping companies that want to compete |
| According to one of the main line's directors the | | | | effectively in the future will have to implement |
| future looks bright for freight shipping in the UK. He | | | | energy saving schemes and other measures to make |
| claims that the continuing investment in new ships | | | | up for the growing cost of fuel. |
| and the commitment to the development of its route | | | | |