#FuelPipeline – The Irish Times reports that an aviation fuel pipeline between Dublin port and Dublin airport is to be lodged with a planning application to City and Fingal councils in the coming weeks.

The project envisages replacing existing road tanker traffic with direct pipeline supply and would involve major works along suburban routes such as the Malahide Road.

The pipeline project proposed by a company called Independent Pipeline Company, is backed by Co Laois-based engineering concern Fingleton White, and Dublin-based fuel transporters Reynolds Logistics.

Fingleton White previously received planning permission for an underground pipeline between the port and airport in 2001, but this was never built due to uncertainty in the aviation industry after the attack on New York's Twin Towers.

The original route of the pipeline was via East Wall and Clonliffe roads to Drumcondra and onwards via Whitehall and Santry to the airport. For much more on this story, click HERE.

#OvernightVisitor – One of a quartet of cruise-callers to Dublin Port yesterday, Seven Seas Voyager remains berthed this morning having spent an overnight visit in what will be an overall 38 hour call, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Regency Seven Seas Cruises 42,363grt tonnes ship is at the high-end of the cruise market with a 6-star rating for the vessel which had a major refurbishment in late 2013. She has an international crew of 447 which allows her 700 guests to be pampered by having a high crew / guest ratio of 1: 1.5. This level of customer-service comes with ultra-luxurious facilities and where all cabin 'suites' categories also have balconies.

Her extended port visit allowing her guests a far more leisurely time to take in the attractions of the capital and beyond. Such calls and turnarounds are been encouraged by Dublin Port Company to increase cruise business and in boosting the local economy from such high-spending clientele.

All shore excursions from Regency are free in every port-of-call and where her guests can avail of many excursions in a day and during the entire cruise. This is offered so to increase experiences in the history, culture and cuisine of destinations visited with local guides and transportation.

Those wishing not to spend longer shore-time excursions can remain on board, however her berthing location in Dubin is somewhat unusual for a cruise-caller been further tucked in within Alexandra Basin. This is unfortunate given the more industrial backdrop at this stretch of quayside compared to those along the more customary cruise berths lining Ocean Pier.

It should however be acknwlowedged that AidaCara and Ocean Majesty (see report) had occupied these main cruise berths at Ocean Pier leaving the fourth caller, Ocean Princess to berth upriver at North Wall Quay extension.

In order to meet the demand from increased cruise calls and ever larger vessels, Dublin Port Company propose a €200m dedicated cruise terminal at the North Wall next to the East-Link Bridge. This more attractive solution closer to the city centre along the main river-channel would bring shorter transport times between the port and the capital.

After today's second opportunity to visit the capital and visitor attractions in the surrounding hinterland, guests will head back to the comfort of their floating hotel for her 20.00hrs departure tonight. 

This will involve Seven Seas Voyager firstly moving astern into the channel to swing off opposite the Poolbeg Yacht Boat Club & Marina before she heads downriver bound for Waterford.

#FerryToCruiseship- Of the quartet of cruiseships in Dublin Port today, Ocean Majesty (as pictured) has the most unconventional background, having been launched in 1966 as a side-loading car ferry for Mediterranean service, writes Jehan Ashmore.

In her current role, Ocean Majesty with a 672 capacity has German passengers on board who embarked on 17 August from Hamburg on a charter cruise (Hansa Touristik) of the UK and Ireland.

The 10,417 tonnes cruiseship had sailed northbound through the Irish Sea and berthed in Dublin around noon. According to her itinerary, the ports of call so far visited were Plymouth, the Pool of London involving a transit through Tower Bridge as part of a two-day stopover in the capital.

She is operated by Athens based Majesty International Cruises who in 1994 rebuilt the former Trasmediterránea ferry, Juan Marsh, which served a career mostly between Spain and the Balearics and also to the Canary Islands.

Likewise of the quartet of cruise callers, Juan March was also a member of a quartet of almost identical Albatros-class sisters (two pairs of half-sisters).

The Portuguese flagged Ocean Majesty is completely unrecognisable as the former ferry (See Photo) which saw radical rebuilding of superstructure. Note the gentle sweeping curvature of her decks. Her hull form has an attractive flared bow and retained cruiser stern that these days displays Madeira as her port of registry.

Tonight she heads for Belfast and then several Scottish ports of call. They are Fairlie, Ullapool, Kirkwall and Rosyth and followed by a day at sea before her return to the German North Sea port on 29 August.

This season sees Ocean Majesty operating more than 12 cruises, the first cruise started in Nice and other embarkation ports are Warnemunde and later this year from Venice.

#CruiseQuartet- Following yesterday's busy cruise trio line-up to Dublin Port, among them the 5-star luxury sail-assisted Sea Cloud II, even more callers are due when a quartet are to dock tomorrow morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Leading the quartet will be Ocean Princess, one of a pair of the smallest units of the Princess Cruise fleet, having only 672 guests. Built in 1999 for former owners Renaissance Cruises, the 30,000 tonnes ship is to enter Dublin Bay at 06.00hrs. She is to dock next to the East-Link Bridge, where Sea Cloud II had occupied berth 18 along North Wall Quay extension. 

A quarter of an hour later, the bay is to receive the 6-star rated Seven Seas Voyager, which has a similar capacity of 700-guests who all enjoy 'balcony'  suites. Operated by Regent Seven Sea Cruises, she was refitted in late 2012 and is to call to Alexandra Basin's berth 30.

After another 15 minute interval, the next caller is AidaCara, the 11 deck vessel which serves the German market is operated by Aida Cruises. Notably is her distinctive bold livery of facial features displayed on the bow. She is to call alongside berth 35 at the river-side of Ocean Pier.

Following all this activity, the three Dublin-berthed cruiseships will have to wait to 11.30 before the fourth and final caller joins them in port in the form of the veteran Ocean Majesty.  The 1966 built former Mediterannean ferry is to arrive at Ocean Pier's berth 35 within Alexandra Basin east.

Launched as Juan March for operators Trasmediterránea, she mostly served the Balearic Islands. Work on reconstructing the side-loading car ferry took three years to complete in 1994 for her Athens based owners Majestic International Cruises.

#SailingCruiseship- As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a trio of cruise callers due to Dublin Port arrived this morning, among them the exclusive Sea Cloud II (2001/3,849grt), a 5 star luxury sail-assisted vessel, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 117m/ 384ft Spanish built windjammer cruiseship operated by Sea Cloud Cruises, yesterday called to Belfast Harbour. On her arrival today she berthed next to the East-Link Bridge, bringing her mere 94 guest higher spending power clientele closer to the capital's centre.

Of her three masts, the mainmast towers 57m or 187 ft above deck and in total she sets 23 sails totalling 3,000 m² / 32,000 sq ft. Alternatively she has use of engine power (2 X 1,240 kW) producing around 14 knots.

So what passenger facilities are available, there is a lido deck with bar, restaurant, lounge, boutique, library with laptop, sauna, fitness area, a swim platform and a hospital.

Of her 47 outside cabins, 29 of them have a shower/WC, 16 junior suites with bathtub/WC and 2 luxury owner suites. Take a peek HERE, at one of these luxury suites (No. 402) which is 27 m² / 290 sq ft and features a King-sized bed. The bathroom with marble sink and golden fixtures, exude an ambiance of sheer luxury. Click the photo of the suite to enlarge for a better view.

All cabin categories of the top end luxury cruiseship are furnished with bathrobes, hair dryer, telephone, adjustable A/C, private safe, TV/DVD and a mini-bar.

This evening she bids the capital farewell with a departure time of 18.30. Having entered Dublin Bay she is to set a course for Cork Harbour.

Unlike the majority of cruiseships that head for Cobh or smaller sized callers which could head upriver to Cork city-quays, the exclusive Sea Cloud II is an exception.

Instead her guests will have ultimate privacy by anchoring in the lower harbour when she is due to arrive around lunchtime tomorrow.

#dlharbour – Dun Laoghaire Harbour CEO Gerry Dunne say there is a  great opportunity for Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port to work collaboratively on Dublin Bay to emulate the success of Danish capital, Copenhagen in attracting approximately 500,000 cruise visitors per year, which would represent a quadrupling of visitor numbers coming to Dublin Bay in 2015.

In 2011, the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group was formed to bring together various stakeholders with an interest in developing cruise business for the greater Dun Laoghaire area . This stakeholder group includes Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire Business Improvement District [BID]

The Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group engaged in a vigorous marketing campaign, particularly in the United States, to enable Dun Laoghaire to tap into this growing market.

Dun Laoghaire welcomed two cruise calls in 2012 with 140 passengers onboard. Last year saw 13 cruise vessels use the facilities at Dun Laoghaire, with the highlight of the season being the visits of Cunard's Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria.

"Since 2012, due to the attractiveness of Dun Laoghaire and its wonderful harbour, the number of cruise bookings has grown exponentially and 2015 will be the most successful year ever for Dun Laoghaire in terms of attracting cruise passengers to the harbour.", according to Gerry Dunne, CEO of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. 23 cruise vessels have been confirmed to visit Dun Laoghaire in 2015.

The size of these ships is such that they will bring a record 66,867 passengers. With Dublin Port expecting to attract 60,751 cruise passengers, it will be a record year for Dublin Bay. 2015 will be the first year where the number of cruise passengers landing in Dun Laoghaire will exceed those landing in Dublin Port," Mr. Dunne said.

"The great opportunity for Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port is to work collaboratively to emulate the success of Copenhagen in attracting approximately 500,000 cruise visitors per year, which would represent a quadrupling of visitor numbers coming to Dublin Bay in 2015", Mr. Dunne added.

"Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company will be working with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dun Laoghaire's Business Improvement District to ensure that cruise passengers have a memorable visit to the town and are encouraged to return again, providing a valuable source of business for retail outlets and restaurants, which will deliver a huge economic boost for the town and its hinterland."

"Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is currently finalising an application to An Bord Pleanala under Strategic Infrastructure Development to build a new €15m cruise berth facility to cater for the "next generation cruise ships".

"The development of the cruise business is a key element of the Dun Laoghaire Habour Masterplan published in 2011 and is consistent with the role set out for the Habour in the government's National Ports Policy, which sees Dun Laoghaire Harbour developing as a marine leisure and tourist destination of international calibre" Mr. Dunne said.

#CruiseDublin – The Dublin Port Company has invited submissions from companies interested in developing the cruiseship business at the nation's largest port.

The port which has the biggest cruise business on the island of Ireland and in attracting many major cruise lines has potential for further growth.

DPC has provided port infrastructure in other sectors of the port to be operated by private sector companies working in competitive markets.

The port is currently looking to follow a similar approach in relation to its cruise business and is seeking to enter a multi-annual relationship with a suitable partner. This partner is to grow the cruise business both of the port and for operators in the tourism sector.

For further information including contact details and date for submissions, visit this LINK.

#PrincessCallers -Dublin Port's main cruise berths that line along the broad width of Ocean Pier are both occupied by a pair of Princess Cruises ships that docked at dawn today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Ruby Princess, a 'Grand' class ship of 113,000 tonnes arrived overnight from calling to Cobh. She had moored alongside Ocean Pier within Alexandra Basin west at berth 37. Towering 19 decks high, she can accommodate more than 3,000 passengers.

While facing opposite on the adjacent quay, Ocean Princess of 30,000 tonnes, is one of the smaller members of the Princess fleet, which berthed at the appropriately named pier at berth 33 in the eastern basin. The 9-deck high former Renaissance Cruises vessel can handle almost 700 guests. The mostly adult carrying cruiseship had previously called to Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.

Combined the potential capacity of the contrasting sized Bermuda flagged ships is some 3,700 passengers and the crew alone totals for more than 1,500 personnel.

Take a peak of the luxurious facilities by clicking each of the highlighted ships names as above and which will also lead you to facts about the vessels.

An evening departure of the pair is 'scheduled' for 18,00hrs and should provide an interesting viewing opportunity (South Wall breakwater) to contrast the sheer scale between these ships.

There are still plenty more cruise callers due to Dublin Port this season, click for details HERE.

#DublinPort - Dublin Port Company have released the 2013 Annual Report 'online'. Downloadable copies in PDF format (in both Irish and English) as well as an HTML version are now available through this LINK.

In addition previous Annual Reports dating back to 2009 are available to download.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Dublin Port Company paid a dividend of €8m to the State based on its financial results for 2013.

The payment is in line with the company's commitment to making a dividend payment of 30% of profit after tax, annually.

Up until last year, the port had experienced three flat years from 2010 and this is the first year in which there has been organic growth.

For details of headline figures for 2013 click HERE.

#dublinport – The recently elected Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Christy Burke, has received the Admiral's Hat from Dublin Port Company Chairperson, Lucy McCaffrey, at a ceremony to mark the commencement of his role as the Honorary Admiral of Dublin Port.

His first official engagement as Admiral was to perform the "Casting of the Spear" ceremony, a Dublin Port tradition dating back over half a millennium.

The "Casting of the Spear" first took place in 1488, when Thomas Mayler – the then Lord Mayor of Dublin – set out on his horse to ride the city's boundaries. Historical records show that he rode out onto the strand as far as a man could and from there he cast a spear into the sea. At that time, casting the spear demonstrated the extent of the city boundaries eastwards.

The ceremony was re-enacted as part of the launch of the South Docks Festival. The Lord Mayor travelled out into Dublin Bay on board MV St Bridget and upon reaching the North Bank Lighthouse, launched a spear deep into Dublin Bay, and once again marked the position of the city boundaries eastwards.

Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson, Dublin Port Company said: "I extend a very warm welcome to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and wish him well in his new role as Admiral of Dublin Port. His first official engagement of casting the spear revives one of Dublin Port's oldest traditions dating back to medieval times, and serves as an important reminder of Dublin's rich maritime heritage. Today's celebrations also marks the beginning of a new tradition, as Dublin Port Company and St. Andrew's Resource Centre combine the Casting of the Spear ceremony with the launch of the South Docks Festival for the first time. Congratulations to everyone involved on a fantastic festival programme, which promises a week of great activity and entertainment for all the family."

The 27th South Docks Festival is a celebration of Dublin's Pearse Street and Grand Canal communities and runs until Friday, 25th July 2014. This year's festival programme include a host of events for all ages, ranging from Viking Splash and Open Top Bus Tours, to Art Workshops, Bollywood Dance Lessons and Talent Shows. A Teddy Bears Picnic, Seniors Afternoon Tea, International Race Night and Football Tournament will all feature, culminating in the South Docks Parade at 12.30pm on Friday, 25th July from St. Andrews Resource Centre to Pearse Square via the City Quay.

During the week, over 140 volunteers will deliver the festival's range of events, which have been organised by a committee of volunteers and funded by local businesses and fundraising activities.