The Dubin-based owner of Irish Ferries saidthe pre-tax loss was EUR 4.3m ($5.9m), from EUR 3.1m in 2013.

Total sailings were up by 17% as it brought in an extra chartered-in ship from Dublin toCherbourg in France.

Revenue to the end of April rose 5.8% to EUR76.7m, but operating costs were up 9% at EUR 73.8m due to the new ship.

In the 20 weeks up to 17 May 2014, IrishFerries carried 95,000 cars, an increase of 5% on the previous year.