Ferry company Stena Line saw a slight dip in leisure travel while cargo increased last year.
The company saw a 1% decrease in passenger figures and a 2% decline in vehicle numbers. However, freight travel was on the up with a 2% increase compared to 2005.
Stena Line chief executive Gunnar Blomdahl said the company recovered towards the end of the year following a poor start.
He blamed the leisure travel dip on an overhaul of the timetables on certian routes.
In the UK Stena Line is investing £70 million in ships and services on the Harwich – Hook van Holland route and it has also recently announced an order for two new super-ferries for delivery in 2010.
Stena Line operates across routes a cross the Irish Sea and North Sea as well as to Scandinavia.