Close to 54 million tonnes of goods passed through the Republic's ports last year, an increase of 2.2 per cent on 2005.

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) yesterday show that the Republic's 21 ports handled 53.32 million tonnes in 2006, an increase of 1.17 million, or 2.2 per cent, on the 52.15 million they dealt with the previous year.

"Goods received increased by 2.4 per cent in comparison with 2005, while goods forwarded increased by 1.9 per cent," said the CSO.

The annual analysis also shows that the number of vessels arriving in 2006 was 16,042, down on the 16,431 that docked here in 2005.

"Imports accounted for 72 per cent of the total tonnage of goods handled, while exports accounted for 28 per cent."

Of the total, the figures show that the UK accounted for the highest traffic, with 19.9 million tonnes, while the rest of the EU came to 17.34 million.

Non-EU countries accounted for 5.2 million tonnes.

The busiest port was Dublin, the Republic's largest, which handled 20.8 million tonnes. Next was Shannon Foynes, which accounted for 11.4 million tonnes.

Cork was in third position with close to 10 million tonnes, while Rosslare accounted for 2.7 million tonnes. Waterford handled 2.4 million tonnes, and Bantry Bay dealt with 1.2 million tonnes.

State companies or local harbour authorities are responsible for running the majority of the Republic's ports.