Samskip and Boluda Lines has jointly launched a shortsea container services connecting Santander, Dublin and Liverpool, in a new commitment to customers in Spain, Ireland and the UK.

The new container service also delivers a strategic expansion for Samskip’s European sustainable transport network.

Launched on Saturday (30 Sept), the joint service provides a new weekly Spain-Ireland-UK shortsea option for unitized cargoes that is highly cost competitive against road-ferry alternatives, while at the same time offering greater reliability and substantially reducing CO2 emissions per tonne mile.

Based on Saturday departures from Santander by the 803 TEU nominal capacity vessel Lucia B (as above) the new service offers a 3-day transit time to Dublin Port, (which Afloat adds took place this afternoon, 2 Oct), with calls at Liverpool’s Royal Seaforth Container Terminal, due two days after, before the ship’s southbound voyage to Spain.

The door-to-door and quay-to-quay services available, cargoes can move in owners’ extensive range of containers - including 45ft high cubes, reefers and flatracks - or in shippers’ own equipment.

In northern Spain, the focal point for operations will be Boluda Maritime Terminals Santander, which is ideally located to provide links to Ireland and the UK and is highly competitive against other local ports. Opened by Boluda in April 2023, after terminal investments approaching €40 million, the brand-new facility offers capacity to handle over 110,000 TEUs a year.

In addition to adding value through logistics expertise and local knowledge, Samskip and Boluda Lines are maximising Santander’s operational, sustainability and market penetration potential by simultaneously launching block train rail services to/from Madrid and Seville. Cross-docking services are also being offered at Santander.

As experts in Multimodal planning logistics, Samskip has a strong local presence in Ireland and North Ireland. This provides a great edge for reliable service where extensive road haulage services have been developed to support ships connecting Cork, Dublin, Belfast and Waterford to Samskip’s European network via the Netherlands.

How did Dublin’s East Wall get its name, and where did Dublin City once stop and the port begin?

These and other interesting questions were answered at last week’s opening of the renovated 18th-century Dublin Port Substation by the Minister for Public Expenditure and local TD Paschal Donohoe.

Dublin Port’s new chief executive Barry O’Connell, noted that the event was taking place on Culture Night, when a plaque honouring Bindon Blood Stoney, one of the port’s most pioneering engineers, was also unveiled.

All hands on deck as Adam Roche, 9, and Everly Whelan, 9, of St. Joseph’s Co-Ed Primary School launch Dublin Port Company’s new venue the Substation with Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe TD. The Substation allows the public to view through a glass floor the 18th century sea wall which gives the East Wall its name. The display is the latest addition to Dublin Port’s distributed museum, a key part of Masterplan 2040’s strategic objective to integrate the Port and the City. Photo: Conor McCabe

The port’s heritage director Lar Joye spoke to Wavelengths about the background to the project, and about exhibitions planned for the redbrick building with its two distinctive portholes.

There's new Life for Dublin Port's redbrick substation with Its two distinctive portholes

Listen to Wavelengths below

The Irish economy “couldn’t function” without the “central role of Dublin Port”, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has said.

Speaking at the opening of Dublin Port’s Substation as an interpretive centre and venue, Mr Donohoe said that Dublin began as a port city, and it was easy to forget this.

“We understand that better about our history than we do about our present,” he said, stating the port is “a vital piece of national infrastructure that is an artery not just to our city, but to our economy”.

The Fine Gael minister, whose constituency is Dublin Central, said this could best be appreciated when walking out to the end of the North Bull Wall and observing the shipping traffic in the bay with “the wind in your face and the salt on your lips”.

He paid tribute to Dublin Port for “opening up walls and gates”, with the refurbished Substation being a prime example of this.

Dublin Port chief executive Barry O’Connell noted that the opening was taking place on national culture night, when a plaque honouring Bindon Blood Stoney, one of the port’s most pioneering engineers, would also be unveiled.

“Today marks another significant milestone in our journey towards making Dublin Port a destination, and achieving port-city integration,” O’Connell said.

The Substation’s opening and discovery and preservation of the 18th century sea wall, which gave East Wall its name symbolises the port’s “commitment to bridging the past and present”.

During refurbishment works on site, part of the city’s original sea wall was discovered running underneath the Substation. The 18th century sea wall once served to protect the East Wall from flooding and was a catalyst for the North Lotts reclamation of centuries ago. Dublin Port, together with a multidisciplinary team has worked to preserve and expose the sea wall underneath a glass floor inside the building  Photo: Conor McCabe

“As we continue our efforts to connect the port with the city, this interpretive centre becomes a vital part of Masterplan 2040, fostering a deeper connection between our maritime heritage and the community,” he said.

Dublin Port heritage director Lar Joye said the Substation marked the point where the “port meets the city”, and once played a pivotal role in the early electrification of the port complex.

The 18th-century sea wall discovered running underneath the Substation once served to protect the East Wall from flooding and was a catalyst for the North Lotts reclamation of centuries ago.

One of the Substation’s first events will be an exhibition curated by the Little Museum of Dublin in November, entitled “Solidarity: the Dockers of Dublin Port”.

A tribute to the dockers was the theme of a short performance at the Substation opening by ANU actor Robbie O’Connor, based on a short extract from “The Book of Names” by Louise Lowe.

When completed, the redbrick Substation museum display would be part of a 6.2 km cycle and pedestrian route linking port, maritime and industrial heritage landmarks and views from Dublin Port estate and overlooking Dublin Bay, Joye said.

The Liffey-Tolka project recently acquired planning permission to create a “transformative public realm” along a 1.4 km dedicated cycle and pedestrian route linking the Liffey with Tolka estuary, passing the Substation en route as part of a greenway.

Attending the event at the Substation – and assisting the minister in ringing a ship’s bell before he unveiled the section of the old sea wall - were Adam Roche (9) and Everly Whelan (9) of St Joseph’s Co-Ed Primary School.

Adam Roche, 9, and Everly Whelan, 9, of St. Joseph’s Co-Ed Primary School, at the launch of the Substation at Dublin Port Photo: Conor McCabe

Their school board chairperson, former Dublin Central Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan, also attended the opening, along with members of the Ringsend and East Wall communities.

Dublin Port’s redbrick Victorian substation will be opened up as a new public space by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe on Friday.

Dublin Port’s chief executive, Barry O’Connell, will also attend the event, where Mr Donohoe will unveil a glass floor showing a section of Dublin city’s original 18th-century sea wall underneath.

While its exact date of construction is unknown, the substation is believed to have been built around 1908. It was decommissioned in 2017-18 and was fragile when restoration began.

The redbrick building, a protected structure, faces onto East Wall Road and Alexandra Road, with port-hole windows on either side of the arched front door.

The building will serve as a multi-functional space, according to Dublin Port, which says it will host “a range of small-scale events including lectures, poetry readings and theatre performances”.

Port Heritage director Lar Joye and Jim Kelleher, Head of Special Projects at Dublin Port, will also attend the opening on Friday.

More details on the sub-station are here

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe will join Dublin Port Company chief executive Barry O’Connell to officially open the resorted Victorian-era red-brick Substation at Dublin Port Centre this Friday 22 September.

The former electrical substation will serve as a local heritage centre and multi-functional space hosting a range of small-scale events including lectures, poetry readings and theatre performances. The Dublin Port Archive website has more on the Substation and its restoration HERE.

During the opening, Minister Donohoe will also unveil a glass floor above a section of the city’s original 18th-century sea wall — which gives the East Wall its name — which was discovered almost a year ago, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Dublin Port Company has today reported trade figures for the first half of 2023.

Volumes declined by 3.6% to end June as the war in Ukraine, global inflation and a slower than expected recovery in China from Covid-19 lockdown dampened international and domestic demand, with the Central Statistics Office showing Ireland entering a technical recession in the early part of 2023.

H1 2023 – Key Figures:

• Imports fell by -3.6% to 10.8 million gross tonnes.
• Exports declined by -3.5%, to 7.1 million gross tonnes.

In Detail:

Unitised trade (Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo) in the form of trailers and containers accounted for 81% of all cargo volumes in the first half of the year.

Unitised freight fell by -5.4% year-to-date June Vs prior year, with both modes experiencing reductions of -4.4% and -7.6%, respectively.

Passenger numbers on ferries (such as Stena) increased by 13.6% to 758,454 at Dublin Port

Positive growth indicators were seen in other areas of the port’s business, including: -

Imports of new trade vehicles rose by 40.3% to 67,000 units. This rise is already on the back of strong import figures in 2022 when volumes increased by 8.1% for the full year.

Bulk Liquid imports of petroleum products continue to grow strongly, reaching 2.3 million gross tonnes matching the record levels achieved in the same period last year.

Passenger numbers on ferries increased by 13.6% to 758,454

Dublin Port continued outperforming the all-island market in both Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo in 2022 and Q1 of 2023, with elements of post-Brexit trade returning to Dublin from Northern Ireland ports (source: The Irish Maritime Development Office).

Commenting on the H1 2023 figures, Dublin Port’s Chief Executive, Barry O'Connell, said:

“Lower international and domestic economic activity has seen our volumes slightly down in the first half of 2023. This comes on the back of a very strong first half in 2022 where volumes increased by 10% vs 2021. The second half of 2022 was flat in terms of growth rates, so we are expecting modest positive growth in the second half of 2023 as markets recover.

“A dip is not unusual and reflects the ebb and flow of imports and exports in a more cautious economic environment. In the medium to long term, we still expect to see continued growth in volumes as the economy rebounds and consumer sentiment steadies. As recently as June there was a 1.1% rise in exports, a notable shift from the average monthly decline of -4.4% over the preceding five months. This tallies with market and CSO commentary on Ireland’s exit from a technical recession.

“Overall, Dublin continues to outperform the all-island market in both Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo, underscoring continued demand for the world-class route-to-market offering here.

“With Dublin Port accounting for 80% of Ireland’s containerised trade, 91% of UK trade and 68% of trade with mainland Europe, it remains a critical enabler of Ireland’s economy. Providing capacity for future economic growth is our core imperative and I am pleased to say that the first of three expansion plans have been completed (ABR Project), the second is underway (MP2 Project), and the third and final development plan, the 3FM project, is at an advanced design stage and will be submitted later this year for planning.”

Dublin Port Company trade figures for the first half of 2023

Dublin Port has published SafePort Golden Rules today, a set of 10 rules designed to enable Port Management and the seven Terminal Operators to engage with employees and visitors on Dublin Port sites safely.

The publication follows the introduction of a ‘new Dublin SafePort initiative’ in July 2022 and the introduction of 40km speed limits within the port in October 2022.

Dublin Port is also pleased to announce that An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Customs and Revenue - who all play a pivotal role in Port safety - have also come on board as SafePort partners. The seven founding terminal operators are Dublin Ferryport Terminals, Doyle Shipping Group, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries, Peel Ports Group (MTL), Seatruck Ferries and Stena Line. Together, they account for an estimated 75% of port workers on the estate.

Dublin Port was pleased to host representatives from all the partners in Dublin Port’s SafePort initiative at the announcement of the ‘Ten Golden Rules’ today, Monday, 4th September in Port Centre. Harbourmasters Michael McKenna and Paul Hogan were joined by An Garda Síochána, the HSE, Customs and Revenue and representatives from the seven founding terminal operators, Dublin Ferryport Terminals, Doyle Shipping Group, Irish Ferries, P&O Ferries, Peel Ports Group (MTL), Seatruck Ferries and Stena Line

By their very nature, ports present complex challenges and potential hazards. Without strict adherence to rules and safety practices, incidents and accidents can occur, posing risks to workers, visitors and operations. Dublin SafePort has developed a comprehensive set of 10 safety rules that address critical areas of concern and promote a culture of safety-first behaviour.

The SafePort 10 Golden Rules have been crafted by the Dublin SafePort working group, consisting of representatives from various segments of the port community. Their expertise, collaboration and a sharing of lessons learnt has shaped a set of rules that cover both high-level safety principles and behaviours that, if left unchecked, can lead to serious incidents. These rules encompass a wide spectrum of port activities, ensuring that every facet of the port ecosystem is safeguarded.

The 10 Golden Rules are as follows:

• Turn up fit for work and unimpaired by drugs and alcohol.
• Always use designated walkways provided.
• Be aware of lifting operations and moving machinery. Keep a safe distance.
• Follow traffic management guidelines, observe speed limits, and wear seatbelts.
• Prioritise water safety – wear a personal flotation device within 1.5m of the quay wall.
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the task.
• Limit smoking to designated areas and avoid littering.
• Use mobile devices only as approved and avoid distractions.
• Report incidents promptly to prevent accidents.
• Familiarise yourself with the specific rules within terminals.

Dublin Port's SafePort Golden Rules

Download the Dublin Port Safeport golden rules as a high res pdf below

Implementation of the SafePort 10 Golden Rules will be a joint effort by Port Management, the seven Terminal Operators and all port users. The initiative will be rolled out in two key areas: public roads and spaces within the port estate, and terminal and common user areas. Signage, social media campaigns, and educational materials will ensure the rules are accessible and understood by all.

The SafePort 10 Golden Rules initiative is part of a broader commitment by Dublin Port to prioritise safety, stemming from the Dublin SafePort working group's insights and global best practices. Dublin Port aims to create a safer and more secure environment for all stakeholders by growing a culture of safety consciousness and adherence.

Pictured are Garda Vincent Carroll (Dublin Port Immigration), Donna McGuirk (Revenue and Customs) and Garda Dermot Moran (Dublin Port Immigration) at the launch of ‘Dublin SafePort Ten Golden Rules’

Michael McKenna, Dublin Port Harbourmaster, said: “What we are trying to achieve with the launch of the Golden Rules is to keep reinforcing the SafePort message, ensure that people are aware of its relevance around the Port Estate in day-to-day operations, SafePort does not belong in a meeting room on PowerPoint presentations it must be in operation across the Port Estate and be in people’s minds as they go about their business.”

Superintendent Jarlath Lennon, Store St Garda Station, said, “As a key stakeholder in Dublin Port, An Garda Síochána will take an active role in implementing Dublin Port’s 10 SafePort Golden Rules to make Dublin Port a safer place for all port workers and visitors. An Garda Síochána’s promotion of the Golden Rules on a daily basis and close working relationship with all of our partner organisations in Dublin Port is an important aspect of our Mission Statement of Keeping People Safe.”

Dublin Port Dublin Port announced today (28 August) that work has commenced on the Tolka-Estuary Greenway, a dedicated 3.2km cycle and pedestrian route along the Northern perimeter of the Port overlooking the Tolka Estuary. The Tolka-Estuary Greenway is a celebration of an area of the Port that has never been accessed by the public before, and it is a key element of Dublin Port’s ambitious Tolka-Estuary Project first announced in November 2020.

The Tolka-Estuary project also includes the development of a 6.3km distributed museum within the Port, and the Liffey Tolka Greenway, a proposed additional tree-lined pedestrian and cycle route between the Liffey and the Tolka Estuary along the East Wall Road.

"The Tolka-Estuary Greenway is a celebration of an area of the Port that has never been accessed by the public before"

Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director, Dublin Port, said, “We are very excited seeing construction of this element of the Tolka-Estuary Project commence. By next summer Dubliners will be able to safely enjoy the River Liffey and Tolka Estuary on foot or by bike through the Port. The Tolka-Estuary Greenway will allow Dubliners enjoy novel perspectives of the city, the Estuary, its flora and fauna, the Port and eventually the Distributed Museum we are creating here, which includes the Pumphouse and the Flour Mill. We have always said that our ambition is to open up the Port as an amenity for the city and the Greenway will be transformative in this regard.”

The first section of the Tolka-Estuary Greenway stretches 1.9km from the Port’s boundary with Eastpoint Business Park to the Irish Ferries and Stena Line check-in booths on Terminal Road. The route required extensive coastal protection and heavy civil engineering works prior to construction but is now expected to open to the public by summer 2024. The second 1.3km section of the Greenway will bring the Greenway route to the most Eastern point of Dublin Port overlooking Dublin Bay and a brand new 800-metre linear park.

On completion Dublin Port’s Greenway will link Dublin with the proposed National Galway to Dublin Cycleway, a 270km dedicated traffic-free cycling route which follows the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail Greenway from Dublin via Maynooth and Athlone to Galway City. It will also link Ireland with EuroVelo 2, The Capitals Route, a 5,500km (3,400 mi) long cycling east-west European route which passes through Ireland, The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, German, Poland and Belarus. Tourists arriving in Ireland with their bikes from Holyhead in Wales and Cherbourg in France will now be able to leave the Dublin Port on this purpose-built greenway.

Dr. Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, said, “As National EuroVelo Coordinator, Sport Ireland also welcomes this proposed new infrastructure which will facilitate cyclists travelling the section of the EuroVelo 2 cycle route in Ireland, also known as the Galway – Dublin Cycleway. The proposed new greenways will bring cyclists arriving at the port on a route that will ultimately connect the port to the Royal Canal Greenway and onwards to the west of Ireland. Cycling is a fantastic way to stay active and improve overall fitness, and I am delighted to see work progressing on the development of dedicated cycling infrastructure in the Dublin Port area. As well as providing an opportunity for people who work in the port to cycle more safely to work, this infrastructure will provide traffic-free recreational cycling opportunities for the local community.”

The Distributed Museum within the Port includes The Pumphouse, which formerly housed the steam engine that powered the gates of Graving Docks 1 & 2 but has been repurposed by Dublin Port into an artistic and cultural venue and The Flour Mill, the former Odlums Flour Mill on Alexandra Road which will be transformed into a National Maritime Archive, two 300-seat performance venues, as well as studio and exhibition spaces for artists. The Flour Mill will be developed in stages as part of Masterplan 2040 alongside major port infrastructure projects.

Barry O’Connell, CEO, Dublin Port Company, said, “The Tolka-Estuary Greenway is another important milestone in delivering on our Port-City commitments as part of Masterplan 2040. The new cycling and pedestrian route linking the River Liffey with the Tolka-Estuary will no doubt prove to be an incredibly popular amenity and provide people with novel access to the Port and the opportunity to see the maritime and industrial landmarks along the route.”

A new coastal rowing boat named after St Laurence was blessed in Ringsend, Dublin, today for the Stella Maris Rowing Club.

The St Laurence II has been sponsored by Dublin Port Company, and is named after the original St Laurence, which was built, owned and competed in by Dublin Port workers in the 1950s.

Dublin Port Company says it represents yet another investment by it in promoting the sport of rowing in Dublin.

Dublin Port Company CEO Barry O’Connell alongside Alicia Weafer, Trudi Pepper, Emma Gannon and Niamh Kane of the Stella Maris Rowing Club’s Under-16 Girls Team, who take to the water on their new coastal rowing boat, the St Laurence II, sponsored by Dublin Port Company

Dublin Port Company CEO Barry O’Connell alongside Alicia Weafer, Trudi Pepper, Emma Gannon and Niamh Kane of the Stella Maris Rowing Club’s Under-16 Girls Team, who take to the water on their new coastal rowing boat, the St Laurence II, sponsored by Dublin Port Company.

It will also provide Stella Maris Rowing Club's dedicated members – ranging from aged ten onwards - with state-of-the-art equipment that will enhance their training and capabilities, the port company says.

(Left to Right) Coach Louise Kane with Niamh Kane, Emma Gannon, Trudi Pepper and Alicia Weafer of the Stella Maris Rowing Club’s Under-16 Girls Team take to the water on their new coastal rowing boat, the St Laurence II Photo Tommy Dickson

“This continued and long-standing partnership comes as part of Dublin Port Company’s wider plans for a new maritime village,”it says

The village is part of its 3FM development project, and will involve a “modern sailing and rowing campus” for sailing and rowing clubs, sea scouts, the Nautical Trust and local boat owners.

The 3FM project is the port’s masterplan for 2040, and is focused on port lands on the Poolbeg peninsula, on the south side of the bay.

Dublin Port Company continues its support of Stella Maris Rowing Club with the sponsorship of the new skiff (above and below Photos: Tommy Dickson

The port says the village “has been developed in consultation with local groups and will replace the current much smaller facilities as well as improving opportunities to view port activities from the new waterside public plaza area”.

The new boat was blessed today by Father Ivan Tonge during a ceremony held at the Ringsend Club’s home on the Pigeon House Road in Dublin.

Founded in 1937, Stella Maris is one of Dublin's oldest and most respected rowing clubs, with levels from junior right up to senior.

The club recently won a Dublin South Central Garda Youth Award, which is awarded to young people who have contributed positively to their communities.

Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, said: “We are honoured to offer our continued support to Stella Maris Rowing Club. The values Stella embodies, such as teamwork, dedication and perseverance, align perfectly with our own ethos at Dublin Port Company."

(Left to Right) Coach Louise Kane with Niamh Kane, Emma Gannon, Trudi Pepper and Alicia Weafer of the Stella Maris Rowing Club’s Under-16 Girls Team take to the water on their new coastal rowing boat, the St Laurence II Photo: Tommy Dickson

"This commitment ties in with our wider community initiatives to come under the 3FM Project, which will see a new maritime village providing enhanced facilities for a range of users, including sailing and rowing clubs.”

Dublin Port Company CEO Barry O’Connell (far right) with members of Stella Maris Rowing Club at the blessing of their new coastal rowing boat Photo: Tommy Dickson

Pat Kane, Chairman, Stella Maris Rowing Club, said: “Dublin Port has long been a friend to Stella Maris, and we would like to thank them for their continued support. The original St Laurence served the club well for over 30 years and, thanks to Dublin Port, the St Laurence II will inspire and enable the next generation of rowers.”

With Heritage Week upon us, the well-archived history of Dublin Port places the opening of its new Heritage Centre on Alexandra Road at the forefront of events, and with Cormac Lowth, they have the ideal maritime history enthusiast to put it all in context.

In fact, Cormac is a One Man Heritage Centre in himself, so the combination of his wide-ranging knowledge and perspective with the resources of Dublin Port provides a formidable partnership, and there'll be much of interest in the featured fully-illustrated lecture he'll be giving at the Centre next Saturday, August 19th, at 3.0pm.