Former Shannon Estuary Tug 'Rebel' Departs Cork Harbour for New Owners On Delivery Voyage to West Africa

5th September 2024

Former Foynes based tug, Celtic Rebel (I) which handled vessels of up to 180,000 dwt on the Shannon estuary, has been sold to Greek owners, but will operate in west Africa. The tug is seen in Cork quays with the background of the historic 200-year-old plus Bonded Warehouses, which are protected structures in the city’s ‘Docklands’ which have seen increased redevelopment in recent years. Credit: Rebel Shipping Photography

A 48 bollard ton pull (btp) tug, the Celtic Rebel, which had been sale-listed while berthed in Cork City Quays, has departed Ireland for the final time and is bound for Africa, writes Jehan Ashmore.

For many years, Celtic Rebel had been part of Mainport Group’s subsidiary, Celtic Tugs, when based in the Port of Foynes along with other fleetmates, handling ships on the Shannon Esturary of up to 180,000 deadweight tons (dwt). According to Mainport, the tug has been sold to Greek owners and will be based in west Africa.

Celtic Rebel leaving Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

At 40 years old, the 1984 built tug came from the Hikari Kogyo shipyard in, Yokosuka, Japan, and when sold to the Mainport Group was transported by a heavy-lift ship as deck cargo to Ireland. The 309 gross registered tonnage tug with a crew of 6 served its career with Celtic Tugs which involved working with fleetmates Celtic Banner and Celtic Isle, both since sold.

Afloat has been aware of its sale-listed status for months, and having tracked its port relocation from Foynes to Cork last year with it berthing at the North Customs House Quay. At the weekend the 37m tug under new owners and renamed Celtic Rebel I cast off moorings from this quay close to the city centre.

The 3,500-bhp tug has Zanzibar (City) as its new port of registry located on Unguja (informally referred to as Zanzibar), the main island on the archipelago that is part of the Republic of Tanzania on the mainland of the African continent. Also in the above photo is the flag of the nation on the tug's mast along with the Irish tricolor, which was taken during its departure from Cork last Saturday.

Afloat yesterday tracked Celtic Rebel I offshore of Aviero, Portugal, from where it is to continue along the Iberian nation’s west coast to the capital, Lisbon from where it is to take on bunkers (fuel).

Currently, Celtic Tugs operates two tugs, the secondhand 44.5 btp Celtic Fergus, built in 2014 and based in Foynes, while its fleetmate, last year’s custom built 55.8 btp Celtic Treaty, is also stationed on the Shannon estuary.

Published in Cork Harbour

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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