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Latest Ports Stories
The future of the Port of Holyhead was debated in the UK's House of Parliament where a Labour MP for Anglesey, said an Irish ferry company had suggested a new route to Holland and Belgium, "circumnavigating Britain".  Above: After departing Dublin Port and seen off The Muglins, Dalkey in late October is the M.V. Celine, the world's largest short-sea ro-ro freight ferry that was introduced by CLnd/Cobelfret, was making the return maiden leg of the voyage to mainland Europe. Note, top right on the horizon from Holyhead is Irish Ferries Ulysses, the second largest ro-ro ship using Dublin Port.
Ferry
#HolyheadDebate - The Wales Office minister Guto Bebb reports BBC News, has said the UK government shares concerns about the future of the Port at Holyhead after Brexit, in a response to a question from Labour MP Albert Owen.  Mr…
At anchor in Dublin Bay, Arklow Spirit prior to her maiden call to Dublin Port on Monday, has since returned to the same anchorage and is awaiting orders. Meanwhile at time of writing, newer sister, Arklow Spray is berthed in the USA at the Port of New York
Ports & Shipping
#BulkerSisters - Arklow Spirit last night returned to anchor in Dublin Bay to await orders while another bulk-carrier occupies the same berth to where the Irish flagged ship is one of a pair of the largest registered in the State,…
The introduction of the newbuild cruiseferry W. B. Yeats in 2018 will see fastferry Jonathan Swift (marketed as the Dublin 'Swift') reduced to operating a summer-only service. Above the Australian custom-built High-Speed Craft (HSC) entered service for Irish Ferries almost two decades ago is seen at close quarters after nearing completion of a crossing from Holyhead while in the fairway of Dublin Port.
Ferry
#fastferry - The introduction next year of a new cruise ferry between Holyhead and Dublin reports Daily Post will see the last fast ferry on the route cut to a summer only service. Irish Ferries' new vessel W. B. Yeats…
Busy New Ross Boat Yard Comes To Market
Waterfront Property
#Property - New Ross Boat Yard in Co Wexford is now on the market at a price point of €4 million. With 230 metres of frontage on the River Barrow and easy access to the Nore and Suir (and by…
Unique sight: Arklow Shipping bulk-carriers meet in Dublin Bay over the October Bank Holiday. On the left is Arklow Marsh from the Netherlands and Arklow Spirit from Cork, though originally sailed from Brazil. Both bulkers were loaded with animal feed that involved part-cargo discharged in Dublin and Cork. In between the green hulled cargoships is another such hull coloured vessel, dredger Minerva carrying out operations.
Ports & Shipping
#LargestIrish - One of two of the largest Irish flagged cargoships, Arklow Spirit of 33,905 deadweight tons (dwt) made a maiden call to Dublin Port over the October bank holiday, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Spirit's arrival took place on Monday…
The balance of the fleet will race in two PY fleets with the cut off set at 1068 between fleet 1 & 2
Dublin Bay
Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) starts its 47th Season of dinghy frostbite racing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour this Sunday with a warning signal at 01.57 hrs. The series is open to monohull centre board dinghies and attracts entries from…
Introduction of new cruise ferry W. B. Yeats will double the number of summer sailings to France with new sailings direct from Dublin   In addition, increased capacity and greater frequency of sailings planned on Dublin – Holyhead route
Ferry
#DailytoFrance - A new sailings schedule from Irish Ferries will be introduced following the arrival in mid-2018 of its new 55,000 tonnes cruise ferry W. B. Yeats currently being built in Flensburg, Germany. Highlights of the plan will see a…
The Celebrity Reflection
Dublin Port
2019 is set to be an exciting year in the Irish cruise calendar as Celebrity Cruises confirms that Dublin Port will become a regular fixture. With five turnarounds in the port, Celebrity Refection will call Dublin home from May to…
Awaiting launch on the stocks at the Dutch yard of Royal Bodewes is newbuild Arklow Venus which made contact with the adjoining Winschoterdiep Canal yesterday. Keeping to Dutch matters, a Royal Netherlands Navy torpedo training ship HNLMS Mercuur (A900) has completed a recent visit to Dublin Port having berthed within the 'Docklands' quays.
Ports & Shipping
#ports&shipping - After a delay of a week, Arklow Venus which was constructed by Dutch yard Royal Bodewes was finally given the customary amidships launch yesterday, writes Jehan Ashmore. The morning launch took place at 10.00 with the newbuild slidding…
Irish Rail's freight line is seen at the top of photo with the Port of Waterford's Belview container terminal where DFDS Logistics operate multimodal services to mainland continental Europe. In this file photo is the containership, Dana Hollandica
Ports & Shipping
#Railfreight - It was another year of increases to rail freight traffic on Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail (IÉ) during 2016 according to MultiModal, with the number of freight trains operated being up 6% and tonnes carried up by 8%…
Conor Phelan (left) lifts the Rose Trophy for his overall win of IRC One at Royal Cork's CH Marine Chandlery Autumn League Prizegiving. Also pictured is  CH Marine's Martin O'Donovan (centre) and RCYC Rear Admiral Keelboats Kieran O'Connell, Scroll down for Photo Gallery
CH Marine Chandlery
Last night's Royal Cork Yacht Club prizegiving for the ten–race CH Marine Autumn League Series was officiated by RCYC Rear Admiral Keelboats Kieran O'Connell with Martin O'Donovan of CH Marine in attendance. Scroll down the page for a gallery of prizewinners…
Nine race wins from ten starts easily sealed victory for Conor Phelan's Ker 37 Jump Juice in IRC One at the CH Marine Autumn League. Scroll down the page for Photo Gallery below
CH Marine Chandlery
The best was kept til last and the closing races of the CH Marine Autumn League today in Cork Harbour featured some fine sailing conditions writes Bob Bateman. Winds were force four from the north/north west on a beautiful Autumn day at Crosshaven.…
Consultation On Common EU Rules For Small Passenger Ships
Ferry
#Consultation - The European Commission has launched an online consultation to collect views of stakeholders on the extent to which common EU rules could facilitate the internal market for passenger ships below 24 meters in length. The results of this…
Beautiful ornate masonry work is demonstrated in the crest of the former City of Dublin Steam Packet Co. that can be seen on the facade of Eden House located in the capital's inner city along Eden Quay.
Dublin Port
#CityOfDublin - It would be hard not to have noticed in particular as a Dublin bus commuter using services at Eden Quay the historic crest of the former City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, writes Jehan Ashmore. The ornate masonry…
(Top) The essence of summer sailing for the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, which also celebrated the Bicentenary of the Harbour. The classic restored Dublin Bay 24 Periwinkle (Chris Craig and David Espey) and the likewise restored 1897-vintage 37ft Myfanwy (Rob Mason) racing neck and neck towards the in-harbour finish. Photo: David O’Brien/Afloat.ie (Above) Another side of 2017’s sailing. 2016 All-Ireland Champion Helm Alex Barry of Monkstown Bay SC revelling in brisk conditions at the Royal Cork’s successful Dinghyfest 2017. Event organizer Nin O’Leary had put in such good work beforehand that he was able to take a day out to go to England and win the huge-fleet Round the Island Race. Photo: Robert Bateman
W M Nixon
While sailing is now a year-round interest, and for many a year-round activity too, the notion of a traditional season is natural for anyone who lives in Ireland. Admittedly, there are times when we seem to be experiencing the four…
The Harbour Innovation Campus will open at St Michael's Pier in July 2018
Dublin Bay
#DLHarbour - Reservations are now being taken for co-working spaces on Dun Laoghaire’s waterfront at what’s being touted as ‘Ireland’s largest innovation campus’. As many as 1,000 workers will benefit from the facilities at the Harbour Innovation Campus at St…

As an island economy a healthy maritime sector is key to our national competitiveness. Virtually all our imports and exports pass through Irish ports.

The ports are therefore a vital cog in our economy but they're also a great place to see some interesting ships. 86 cruise liners called to Dublin in 2010 and a similar number came to Cork, including some of the biggest in the world.

These pages cover the following sectoral areas: shipowners, harbour authorities, shipbrokers, freight forwarders and contractors, cruise liner operators, port users, seamen, merchants, academic institutions, shipyards and repair facilities, naval architects, navy and defence personnel.

Our pages are covering some of the most notable arrivals around our coast and reporting too on port development and shipping news.

This section of the site deals with Port and Shipping News on our largest ports Dublin Port, Port of Cork, the Shannon Estuary, Galway Harbour and Belfast Lough.

A recent study carried out for the Irish Ports Association (IPA) totalled 75.7 billion during 2004 and their net economic impact was some 5.5 billion supporting around 57, 500 full time employees.

We also post updates on fishing, fisheries, lighthouses, cruise liners, naval visits, the Irish Naval service, coastal marinas and lots more too!

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