Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The latest Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) Unitised Traffic Report for Q4 2023 has been published with an Executive Summary below. As part of the Marine Institute, the IMDO is Irelands' dedicated, development, promotional and marketing office for the shipping…

Smurfit Kappa, Europe’s largest paper packaging producer has said today that it has increased volumes in the fourth quarter for last year. As RTE News reports the increase has snapped three successive quarterly declines that led to a 12% drop…

The European Parliament is currently discussing the Commission's proposal for a new EU Regulation on the Union Customs Code. While supporting the aims of the customs reform to significantly improve the efficiency of the customs procedures in the EU, the…

Peel Ports Logistics has signed a deal to become renewable energy specialist Drax’s new shipping agency service provider for vessels arriving to Liverpool importing biomass. The leading shipping and freight forwarder will support the arrival of all Drax’s ships from…

CLIA Europe, ECSA, ESPO, FEPORT, SEA Europe and WaterborneTP have jointly organised the EU Innovation Fund infoday for the waterborne transport sector, co-organised by the European Commission. Approximately 300 participants from the broader waterborne transport sector (private and public stakeholders)…

Minister Jack Chambers, on behalf of Ireland, concluded and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ukraine on Thursday (1 February) for the mutual recognition of seafarers’ qualifications. This MOU is an update of the existing arrangement wherein Ireland recognised…

Newbuild Arklow Grace, the fourth of Arklow Shipping's G-class cargo ship's launched in the Netherlands, took place on the same day when another vessel for the Irish shipowner also first took to the water, writes Jehan Ashmore. At the shipyard of…

A Fine Gael MEP has called for EU investment in Irish ports to support development of renewable energy. Midlands-North-West MEP Colm Markey warned that Ireland cannot achieve energy security, and consumers will continue to face unpredictable energy costs unless there’s…

Once again Arklow Shipping has had Dutch shipbuilder, Royal Bodewes launch an Eco-Trader of their 6,800dwt design series, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Resolve with a newbuild no. (NB: 825) at the Hoogezand yard, near Groningen, is were the launch on…

Businesses throughout Ireland that are involved in goods exported to or through the UK, have been urged to ensure that they are fully aware and be prepared for the Brexit-related import controls. The new customs measures (click to consult) are…

The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to present a European port strategy by the end of 2024. A report approved today by the parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg highlights the risk of economic dependence, espionage and sabotage, while…

Disruption to shipping in the Red Sea has led to Irish export businesses being advised to engage with their freight carriers and look at their supply chains as the situation in the Middle East region continues. Due to attacks by…

After the serious attacks on ships, mainly, but not only container ships, in the Red Sea by the Houthi movement, has led to shipping lines in deciding to redirect their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. The…

The European Parliament officially adopted the Berendsen report, an own-initiative report on “building a comprehensive European Port Strategy” following yesterday's vote: (585 in favour, 21 against and 26 abstentions). In response, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) highly welcomes the…

The newest Irish flagged merchant ship, Arklow Ranger has made its maiden voyage from The Netherlands to Norway as the newbuild dry-cargo ship arrived this afternoon into the Arctic Circle, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Ranger departed the Dutch north-east port…

Wicklow Port based multi-disciplinary marine company, Alpha Marine has acquired a Damen Shipyard built multi-cat of their 2309 design, which had been operating in the Netherlands. The purchase of the multicat from Purus HST of Swansea, Wales, was concluded in mid-December…