Irish Continental sees truck volumes fall

Irish Continental Group (ICG) this morning said revenues for the first quarter were 0.5 per cent lower at €76

Irish Continental Group (ICG) this morning said revenues for the first quarter were 0.5 per cent lower at €76.6 million compared to the same period in 2007 due to a fall in truck volumes.

In a statement released ahead of the company's agm in Dublin today, ICG said there had been a 3 per cent fall to 64,200 in the number of trucks using its ferries during the first three months of the year. Overall container volumes rose by 4 per cent over the period.

With rising costs due to increased fuel costs and easing demand ICG said the "overall economic environment remains challenging".

In the period up to April 27th passenger volumes showed a decline of 7 peer cent to 376,000, while car numbers are down approximately 10 per cent at 89,000.

The company also said it completed the sale of the MV Normandy in March which had become surplus to requirements following the purchase of the MV Oscar Wilde last year.