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