Cargo movements fall at city port

The port of Belfast has suffered because of the global economic downturn, according to figures released on Wednesday.

The figures revealed that cargo movements in 2008 fell by 5.5% to 16.5 million tonnes.

This followed a six-year period of continued growth.

Container and oil traffic were each down by 5%. Construction sectors were worst affected with timber imports falling by 38% and steel by 21%.

However, there were some trading increases.