Freight Shipping Articles
Freight Shipping News: In Belfast Business is Booming
Belfast is the Centre of Northern Ireland’s Freight Shipping Industry
The port of Belfast is the main maritime gateway in Northern Ireland. Established as a key centre of commerce four hundred years ago, it is now experiencing one of its busiest periods ever in the freight shipping industry.
The port of Belfast has become the focus of Northern Ireland’s freight shipping industry. It handles two thirds of Northern Ireland’s freight shipping trade, which equates to half a million freight units each year.
Recent figures show that the port of Belfast handled more than 17 million tones of freight in 2005. This makes it the second busiest year in the ports long history.
Freight Shipping Increases
The increase in Belfast’s freight shipping activities was driven by a noticeable boost in trade in the break bulk sector. This sector includes items like steel and timber. Furthermore, paper product imports grew to 100,000 tonnes. This represents an increase of 73% against the previous year.
Moreover, according to statistics released by the port of Belfast, the total volume of freight shipping has tripled over the last 25 years. There has also been a 1000% increase in roll on and roll off freight shipping and a 200% increase in container traffic.
Key Reasons for the Increase in Freight Shipping
Key freight performers in 2005 that help account for the increase in freight shipping from the port of Belfast include:
- The import and export of stone and cement. These increased by 16% and 11% respectively in 2005. The reason for the growth of these areas lies in the UK’s and Ireland’s buoyant construction industries.
- The volume of traffic passing through Belfast also helps explain the growth it has experienced in freight shipping.
According to a spokesman for the port of Belfast:
“Wider changes in society are also reflected. The move towards alternative energy sources has reduced domestic coal imports from a peak of 604,000 tonnes in 1985 to just under 200,000 tonnnes in 2005, while the building boom has helped double the amount of timber handled since the late 1990s.”
| |
|
|
| |
To request a price for freight shipping or to arrange a shipment contact us today with your cargo details and we will do the rest...
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Freight Shipping News: Stena Line Achieves a Freight Shipping Volume Increase
Business in the UK’s freight shipping industry has been booming over recent months. The port of Belfast is experiencing one of the busiest periods in its 400 year history. And now figures from Stena Line show that the company has increased its freight shipping volumes by 8% between 2004 and 2005.
The Reasons for Stena Line’s Freight Shipping Volume Increase
The greatest freight shipping growth area for Stena Line was on its Irish sea routes. In this area volumes increased by 16% between 2004 and 2005. The reason for Stena’s increased freight shipping volumes on this route was the acquisition of the Fleetwood to Larne service. the Fleetwood to Larne added 259,200 freight units to the total volume shipped on this route in 2005.
Furthermore, the company’s North Sea and Scandinavian markets experienced similar growth figures.
The Future of Freight Shipping for Stena Line
According to Stena Line’s Irish Sea Area Director Fredrik Lantz, the future looks bright for Stena. He claims that the company’s continuing investment in new ships and its commitment to the development of its route infrastructure and network will help it to meet consumer needs moving forward.
He is quoted as saying,
“We are pleased with our performance in 2005, particularly on the Irish Sea,” said Fredrik. “Our Republic of Ireland routes have performed well while our services into Northern Ireland have also demonstrated robust development in a tough market area, assisted by our first full year’s operation on the Fleetwood to Larne route which from day one has proven a very successful acquisition for us.
“In recent years we have invested around £60 million in our vessels in order to improve the quality onboard and create attractive onboard environments,” he added.
Areas for Concern for the Freight Shipping Industry
Despite the optimism of Stena Line’s Irish Sea Area Director, the rising price of oil is a concern for both the company and for the freight shipping industry in general.
Freight shipping companies that want to compete effectively in the future will have to implement energy saving schemes and other measures to make up for the growing cost of fuel.
