Dublin Port Company, a State-owned firm, reports today that trade figures for March show a fourth consecutive month of rising activity.

The figures for March show a 13.5% rise in total throughput (in tonnage) for the month compared to trade levels in March 2009. There was also a spike in exports, which increased by 23.5% on March last year, while imports for the month grew by 7.3%.

The company says that the figures for Q1 2010 reveal a pattern of steady, incremental increased trading activity across both exports and imports. The stronger trading performance in both the export and import sectors points to a more balanced sign of economic recovery. Quarter 1 total throughput at Dublin Port rose by 7.9% over the three month period, with a 14.6% increase in exports. Imports in Q1 were 3.8% higher than the same period last year.

March 2010 trade statistics summary:

Total throughput - 2.49 million tonnes (2.19 million in March 2009), up 13.5%

Exports - 1.03 million tonnes (835,800 tonnes in March 2009), up 23.5%

Imports - 1.45 million tonnes (1.35 million in March 2009), up 7.3%

Total unitised tonnage - 1.97 million tonnes (1.70 million tonnes), up 15.9%

Bulk solid - (8% of Dublin Port's business), 123,125 tonnes (134,779 tonnes), down 8.6%

Q1 2010 trade statistics summary:

Total throughput - 6.81 million tonnes (6.31 million in Q1 2009), up 7.9%

Exports - 2.72 million tonnes (2.37 million), up 14.6%

Imports - 4.09 million tonnes (3.94 million), up 3.8%

Total unitised tonnage - 5.41 million tonnes (4.88 million), up 10.9%

Bulk solid - (8% of Dublin Port's business), 379,784 tonnes (359,825 tonnes), up 5.5%

Unitised trade which accounts for almost 80% of Dublin Port's throughput was 15.9% higher in total tonnage terms in March and 10.9% higher for the year to date than the corresponding periods in 2009. This trade comprises of consumer goods carried by two modes, Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) and Lift-on, Lift-off (LoLo).

Michael Sheary, CFO Dublin Port Company said:"Since December growth in trade levels have been driven primarily by increased export levels. Last month also saw a second consecutive monthly increase in import levels which suggests there is a level of renewed consumer demand.

Continued increases in throughput will be dependent on a number of factors including improved consumer sentiment for imports and the strength of the euro against Sterling and renewed growth in the economies of our main trading partners. With these factors in our favour the uplift in trade could bring Dublin Port's total throughput for this year close to 28 million tonnes which would be just under 10% lower than our historic high trade levels in 2007."