#GreenportAwards – At the GreenPort Congress in Barcelona held last week, the European Sea Ports Organsition (ESPO) was delighted to congratulate the ports of Cork, Calais and Moerdijk for achieving the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification.

ESPO Chairman Santiago Garcia Mila presented the PERS certificates to the port representatives, Mr Finbarr Kearney (Cork), Mr Laurent Devulder (Calais), and Mr Jacco Rentrop (Moerdijk) respectively.

ESPO would like to pay particular tribute to the three ports for being amongst the most faithful supporters and ambassadors of the EcoPorts tools and approach.

The ports of Cork and Moerdijk achieved PERS certification for the fourth consecutive time since their initial certifications in 2006.

Calais received its certificate for the third time in a row since its initial commitment to PERS in 2010.

PERS is the only port sector specific environmental management standard. It is the flagship product of the EcoPorts network and is offered as part of ESPO services to its members through the EcoPorts website: www.ecoports.com

Compliance with the PERS standard is independently assessed by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance and the certificate has a validity of two years. There are currently 20 ports in Europe that hold a valid PERS certificate.

ESPO is delighted with the increased interest shown to PERS by European port authorities and encourages all ports within its membership to implement the scheme and receive a certification.

#EmigrationMuseum – The Port of Cork's Company's Custom House and Bonded Warehouse buildings located along the city's central quays, are to be converted into a major €15m museum that will tell the story of Ireland's emigration.

It is part of a major Cork bid, backed by international dance star Michael Flatley, to be named home of Ireland's National Diaspora Centre.

In a joint venture, the City and County Councils and the Port of Cork are proposing a major centre which could attract up to 500,000 visitors per year. For further details, see last week's Evening Echo report HERE.

#maritime – The first ever Irish Maritime Forum was held today (Friday, 26th September 2014) in Cork's City Hall. Hosted by the Port of Cork, in partnership with the Irish Ports Association, the forum was attended by over 150 delegates from across the maritime industry.

Entitled 'Developing the Dynamic Future for Ireland's Maritime Sector', the forum focussed on the challenges and opportunities faced by those operating within the maritime sector, both in Ireland and in Europe.

Opening the conference, Minister Sean Sherlock TD spoke of the importance of ports as strategic points for trade growth, both nationally and internationally. He highlighted the Port of Cork and other Irish ports as global benchmarks and commended them for their future vision.

Guest speakers at the forum included Vincent De Saedeleer, Vice President of the Port of Zebrugee; Mr Alan Gray, Managing Director of the Indecon International Consulting Group; Captain Fredrik Van Wijnen, General Secretary of the Confederation of European Shipmasters' Associations (CESMA), Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowner's Association (ECSA).

Speaking at the forum, John Mullins, Chairman of the Port of Cork, said: "I am delighted to be opening the inaugural Irish Maritime Forum here in Cork. This is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to come together and develop ideas for change. These ideas need to be put to policy makers to shape future government policy for the sector and I hope that is something that we can achieve here today".

Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork continued, "We know that ports are a key element for national economic growth, particularly as Ireland emergences from recessionary times. However adequate port infrastructure is critical for future growth."

The forum will continue throughout the afternoon and will culminate with a gala dinner also in City Hall for over 200 guests.

#RoyalPrincess – Following the maiden call of Royal Princess to Belfast, Royal Princess also made a first time visit to Cork Harbour today with the Princess Cruises giant of 141,000 tonnes berthing alongside in Cobh, writes Jehan Ashmore.

She is the third cruise ship making a maiden call this season to Cobh.

At 19 decks high, Royal Princess can carry 3,500 passengers and 1,500 crew. The Italian built vessel launched last year is 330m in length and is over 3 times the length of Thomond Park.

This is the size and style of ship that the Port of Cork Company intend to continue attracting to Cobh's deepwater cruise berth.

Of Cobh's cruiseship customers, the newcomer despite her impressive size is not the largest as Independence of the Seas is some 154,000 tonnes and handles even more cruise-goers totalling 4,300.

The Royal Caribbean International (RCI) 'Freedom' class ship has been a regular caller in recent years.

Around 108,000 passengers on board 54 cruiseships and some 30,000 crew are to generate this season an economic windfall of around €15m to the local economy.

Cobh has been visited by increasingly larger and efficient vessels. Already scheduled for the 2015 season are 15 vessels of a similar size to Royal Princess.

Another trend is the developing demand for turn-around calls and overnight stays. Combine these factors and this has led to the port to commit plans to invest with an upgrading of the current facilities.

#RingaskiddyPlan - The Irish Examiner writes that objectors to the €100m expansion of the Port of Cork's Ringaskiddy terminal have expressed shock and anger at a revelation that the National Roads Authority does not know when it will upgrade roads to service the development.

NRA officials admitted to a Bord Pleanála oral hearing they had no firm details about a start date to upgrade the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange or when a road will be built to Ringaskiddy to replace the existing N28. They may, however, be able to provide clarity on these issues by the year end.

Day five of the hearing was told both projects were dependent on government funding being made available. Under an EU agreement, the State was legally obliged to have them completed by 2030.

For much more on this story, click here.

#CargoDustPfizer – The Examiner writes that in a serious incident dating to last year, the Port of Cork has admitted it was involved when dust from cargo being unloaded in Ringaskiddy clogged the air filters of a major pharmaceutical plant.

The revelation came at a Bord Pleanála oral hearing during cross-examination of port officials by objectors to its plans for a €100m-plus upgrade of its cargo-handling facilities at Ringaskiddy.

Concern expressed by local residents over dust emissions prompted Cork Harbour Environmental Protection Association (CHEPA) member Bob McLaughlin to reveal three pictures he took on February 21 last year. They showed significant amounts of dust being spread into the atmosphere while a ship was being unloaded.

The dust blew into the air filtration systems on the roof of the Pfizer plant. The Examiner paper has more on this story click HERE.

#UNCTADsigning - The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, will lead the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNCTAD, Dublin Port Company and the Port of Cork company.

The signing ceremony next Thursday is to take place at the UNCTAD headquarters at the Palais des Nations, Geneva

The MoU aims to strengthen the cooperation between Irish ports and UNCTAD's TrainForTrade Programme in expanding the activities of the Port Training Programme's (PTP) English-speaking network.

Both of the Irish ports will be represented by its CEO and Directors, respectively, while representatives from various permanent missions in Geneva who are part of the PTP have been invited to witness the ceremony.

#maritimeforum – The Liebherr Maritime Crane Division was today announced as sponsor of the first ever Irish Maritime Forum which will take place in Cork's City Hall on Friday 26th September 2014. The forum themed 'Developing the Dynamic Future for Ireland's Maritime Sector' will focus on exploring the future of the maritime sector within Ireland and will look closely at the challenges and opportunities faced by many within the industry.

Delegates from across the Irish maritime sector are expected to attend the forum which is being hosted by the Port of Cork in conjunction with the Irish Ports Association.

Commenting on the partnership with Liebherr, Mr John Mullins, Chairman of the Port of Cork, said "I am delighted to welcome Liebherr on board as key sponsor for the forum, which is already generating significant interest from key players across the maritime sector. As a leading manufacturer of industrial machinery including maritime cranes, Liebherr plays an important role in the commercial shipping business both in Ireland and further afield."

Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Company, added "The Port of Cork is honoured to be hosting this forum in Cork's City Hall and we hope that delegates will benefit from attending the forum and also enjoy Cork City and its many attractions".

Mr Pat O'Leary Managing Director of the Liebherr Maritime Division, with production plants in Killarney, Nenzing, Rostock and Sunderland, commented that " The Port of Cork has been a partner of Liebherr for almost 50 years. Liebherr is delighted that this Forum is being held in Cork and is proud to be associated with this important event for the Maritime sector in Ireland."

Speakers confirmed for the forum include Mr Vincent De Saedeleer, Vice President of Port of Zebrugee; Mr Alan Gray, Managing Director of the Indecon International Consulting Group; Mr Liam Lacey, Director of IMDO; Captain Fredrik Van Wijnen, General Secretary of the Confederation of European Shipmasters' Associations (CESMA), Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation and Christophe Mathieu, Deputy Managing Director of Brittany Ferries.

#cove – Starting at 13:00hrs off Cobh Promenade on Saturday, Cove Sailing Club stages its annual Cobh to Blackrock Race season highlight in Cork Harbour. The Port of Cork and Union Chandlery have once again agreed to sponsor this year's racing that attracted over 100 boats in 2013.

The course is to continue along its traditional route passing Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Passage, across Lough Mahon and along to the finish at Blackrock Castle.

All boats are then invited to continue up to the City Quays where complimentary overnight berthing will be provided by the Port of Cork at the Cork City Marina.

This year Cove Sailing Club are also very pleased to be able to invite competitors and their guests to the prize-giving at The Sextant which is just opposite the City Quays marina. A barbecue and home-made pizzas will be available at preferential prices for crews together with the Sextant's huge range of top quality beer and wine. 

#PortofCork – According to The Irish Examiner, two of the biggest developments to come before planners in recent years will get under way when oral hearings will be made on the same day in Cork next month.

Inspectors from An Bord Pleanála will listen to proposals by the Port of Cork for a €100m upgrade of its container terminal at Ringaskiddy, while the GAA's plans for a €67m regeneration of Páirc Uí Chaoimh will also come in for scrutiny.

The port oral hearing will take place at Cork International Airport Hotel and the GAA's will be held at the Imperial Hotel. Both start on September 10 and are expected to take up to three days to complete.

It is the second time the port authority has applied to An Bord Pleanála for a major upgrade at Ringaskiddy. To read more click HERE.