DUBLIN Port has claimed a new record in the Republic, for being the first commercial port to reach a freight throughput of more than 15 million tonnes in a calendar year.

To the end of December last, its freight throughput was 15.2 million tonnes. The previous highest total, which was also achieved by Dublin Port, was 11.9 million tonnes in 1995.

Total trade at the port increased by 28 per cent compared to 1995.

The number of ships which used the port totalled 6,441, an increase of 34 per cent on 1995. Cruise liners brought in 22,000 visitors.