Despite choppy economic conditions Dublin Port managed to have one of its most successful 12 months last year.

And strong passenger numbers and trading figures are expected to continue for the rest of this year amid growing fears of a recession.

The port handled in excess of 30 million tons, last year. This record carriage was up 6% on 2006's figures.

Ferry passenger numbers took an astonishing 12% leap to 1.3 million during 2007.

The port's profits were up 7% from the previous year, making the body £29m.

Dublin Port Company has said it expects similar results for 2008, with over 80 cruise ship visits already planned.

Port Chief Executive Enda Connellan said: "The Port handled over 30 million tons in 2007, the fifteenth consecutive year of growth in throughput.

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"Dublin Port is the port of choice for Ireland's importers and exporters.

"Over 80% of imports arriving at Dublin Port are consumer goods, destined for retail outlets in the city and surrounding areas."

So far in 2008 more than 121,000 tourist vehicles have passed through the port, a growth of 6% on last year.

However, volumes of goods handled during the first half of this year dropped by around 1%.

The latest figures published by the Dublin Port Company fly in the face of dire conditions felt by the ferry sector for many years.

Last year was the first time the port has carried over 30 million tons, indicating that despite the global 'credit crunch' trade movement is still strong.

Mr Connellan has said the company would be putting a planning application to An Bord Pleanala later this year to expand the port.

"As Ireland's premier port, notwithstanding the current economic slowdown, we will keep planning for growth in the medium and long-term to ensure that we can continue to facilitate trade when the upturn in the economy arrives,

"In this regard we will be submitting a planning application to An Bord Pleanala in the autumn to provide additional capacity at Dublin Port," he added.

(PR/JM)