SIMIC

Regardless, 2020 was the third busiest year for cargo in the history of the Port of Dublin with higher volume recorded in only 2018 with 38 million gross tonnes and 2019 with 38.1 million gross tonnes.

Imports fell five per cent to 21.7 million gross tonnes and exports declined 0.9 per cent to 15.2 million gross tonnes.

The first quarter dropped 4.9 per cent due to Brexit stockpiling in advance of the original Brexit date. The second quarter dropped 17 per cent because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the last two quarters increased 1.1 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively.

"In the first half of 2020, Dublin port¡¯s cargo volumes were weak and were hit particularly badly in April and May because of the pandemic. However, in the second half of the year, volumes strengthened from month to month and we finished the year with extraordinary Brexit-driven growth of 21.7 per cent in December. This is normally a quiet month, but December 2020 ended up being the fifth busiest month ever," said port CEO Eamonn O¡¯Reilly.

"Against the background of so much Brexit stock-piling, both on the import side and on the export side, the slow start we are seeing in 2021 was inevitable. The gradual return to more normal volumes gives an opportunity for cargo owners to adapt to the re-introduction of non-tariff barriers to trade with Great Britain 28 years after the Single Market did away with them," said Mr O¡¯Reilly.

Mr O¡¯Reilly also stated the importance of vaccines and how the port¡¯s business¡¯ cargo side was resilient in such a challenging year.

"Whereas the cargo side of the port¡¯s business was resilient in a difficult year, the passenger side has been badly affected by the Covid-19 travel restrictions with a 60 per cent reduction in passenger numbers and tourist vehicles. However, with the roll-out of vaccines, we are hoping to see this business returning to normal levels later in the year. On the cruise side, however, the outlook is altogether bleaker, and it is unlikely we will see any cruise ships during 2021."