* Trade: Ships bring goods to and from the port of Cork, which helps to support the local economy. In 2018, the port handled over 10 million tonnes of cargo, including food, fuel, and machinery.
* Tourism: Ships also bring tourists to the port of Cork. The city is a popular destination for cruise ships, and in 2018, over 100 cruise ships visited the port. These tourists bring revenue to the city's businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and shops.
* Jobs: The port of Cork supports over 10,000 jobs in the city. These jobs include those involved in shipping, transportation, and tourism. The port also helps to create jobs in other sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing and retail.
* Infrastructure: Ships help to maintain and improve the infrastructure of the port of Cork. The port is constantly being upgraded to accommodate larger and more efficient ships. These upgrades help to ensure that the port can continue to play a vital role in the local economy.
Overall, ships are essential to the port of Cork and the city of Cork. They help to support trade, tourism, jobs, and infrastructure.