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