#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.

#cruiseliners – Tomorrow the Port of Cork will welcome three cruise liners to Cork Harbour, bringing a combined total of 6,500 passengers and crew to the region.

The largest liner, "MSC Magnifica" will be first to arrive, berthing at Cobh Cruise Terminal at 7.30am with over 3,500 passengers on board. She will be followed by the arrival of "AIDACara" at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth at 8.30am. Finally, the sails of the unique "Sea Cloud 11" cruise liner will be seen in the lower harbour at 1.30pm when she drops anchor for the afternoon.

"The ability to accommodate multiple cruise calls in one day is testament to the excellent cruise facilities that Cork has to offer cruise line companies. Along with our world class tourism offerings throughout the region, we really have a unique selling point for cruise lines. The Port is committed to investing in the upgrade of our current facilities in Cobh and assessing the requirement of additional facilities as the cruise sector expands."

By the close of the 2014 in early October, the Port of Cork will have welcomed a total of 52 cruise ships to the port. Despite the number of calls being slightly lower than 2013, the cruise vessels calling in 2014 are larger and have higher passenger volumes such as Princess Cruises newest ship "Royal Princess" which will make her maiden call to Cork on 19th September. At 330 metres in length (over 3 times the length of Thomond Park), this is the size and style of ship that the Port of Cork are endeavouring to attract in the future.

The Port of Cork is currently home to Ireland's only dedicated cruise berth in Cobh and all vessels calling to the port are listed at www.portofcork.ie

#CorkCruiseTrio – This season the Port of Cork will welcome 54 cruise ships throughout Cork Harbour, among them three cruiseships calling simultaneously next Thursday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

So what callers are we to expect in this trio line-up, they are listed below as follows. For further details click the highlighted name of each cruiseship.

Sea Cloud II (2001/3,849grt) Flag: Malta Operator: Sea Cloud Cruises Passengers: 94 Crew: 65 

MSC Magnifica (2010/92,128grt) Flag: Panama Operator: MSC Cruises Passengers: 2,500 Crew: 1,000                                                                     

Aidacara (1996/38,557grt) Flag: German Operator: Aida Cruises

The total number of callers this year has slightly dipped than those visiting in 2013,  though cruise vessels calling this summer are larger including newbuild Royal Princess of 141,000 tonnes.  Overall this trend has resulted in an increase in passenger capacity of between 3,000-4,000.

It is estimated that 108,000 passengers and some 30,000 crew will be calling to the various cruise berths in Cork Harobur and bring an economic windfall of around €15m.

In recent years Cobh has been visited by increasingly larger and efficient vessels. Another trend is the developing demand for turn-around calls and overnight stays.

Due to the above combination of larger cruiseships and capacity demands, the Port of Cork are planning to handle even bigger vessels than the current Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ships with the arrival of the giant new 'Quantum' class newbuilds of approximately 167,000 tonnes.

These ultra-large ships carry almost 5,000 passengers each and the Port of Cork will be the only port of call on the island of Ireland capable of handling such ships when they enter service.

In order to facilitate larger cruiseships docking in Cobh, it is understood that two ships will be able to berth together.

To meet this goal, the costs involved to upgrade Cobh are significant, though the Port of Cork Company remain committed.

Such an investment to the development of the Irish cruise sector is claimed to be of considerable financial return to the local economy and that of the Munster region.

#Ports&ShippingReview: Over the last fortnight, Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene, where the Port of Cork's turnover increased by over 6% in 2013.

The Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal is set to cash in on the lucrative cruise ship sector following investment to upgrade facilities at Greencastle Harbour.

Warrenpoint Port is on its way to economic recovery as a rise in trading activity saw the Co. Down port record a doubling of pre-tax profits to around £850,000 in 2013.

The port on Carlingford Lough welcomed Saga Pearl II, the first ever cruise ship last month and in October the port is to host the 2014 British Ports Association Conference.

Arklow Bank the leadship of six 'B' class 'greener' newbuilds of the Arklow Shipping fleet called to Dublin Port this week. She departed last night laden with a cargo from the Boliden Tara Mines terminal and is bound for Odda, Norway.