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Displaying items by tag: Irish maritime industry

#Successful2015 - According to the latest edition of the Irish Maritime Transport Economist (IMTE) the year 2015 has been successful for the maritime industry. The annual publication is issued by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO).

The iShip Index, which measures the total volume of traffic moving through our national ports, recorded a 7% increase, with all major traffic modes delivering substantial growth.                              

Bulk traffic grew by 7% to reach 29.8 million tonnes, with Cork, Greenore, Shannon Foynes, Waterford and Wicklow recording above average growth rates.

LoLo traffic, moving predominantly through Dublin, Cork and Waterford, grew by 8% to 860,277 TEU, with each port recording significant volume gains.

RoRo traffic grew by 6% to 1,002,920 units, 88% of which was shipped through Dublin and 12% through Rosslare.

The total volume of traffic that moved through Irish ports in 2015 reached its highest level since 2008, at 977 points on the iShip Index. Although this is 7% lower than the peak of 1,042 points achieved in 2007, it represents substantial progress from the low of 693 points recorded in 2009, and is the highest level recorded since the beginning of the economic crisis.

Domestic economic conditions in 2015 contributed to the growth of the maritime industry. GDP was up by 7.8% to €203.5 billion and GNP was up by 5.7% to €171.9 billion. In value terms, exports in merchandise trade grew by 20%, while imports rose by 10%. The Central Bank of Ireland forecasts a continuation of this strong trading performance, with overall exports set to grow by a further 6.5% in 2016 and 4.9% in 2017. The Central Bank estimates that the value of imports will grow by 6.9% in 2016 and 4.4% in 2017. These strong growth rates bode well for the continued recovery and expansion of the Irish maritime industry.

Our ports are important gateways for inbound and outbound tourism and make a very significant contribution to the success of the tourism industry. More than 4.4 million passengers travelled through Dublin, Rosslare and Cork in 2015, availing of the many excellent ferry services that connect Irish ports to ports in Great Britain and France. A further 450,000 tourists experienced Ireland through port calls made by 246 cruise liners that called to Irish ports in 2015, an increase of 3% on the previous year.

Commenting on the strong performance of the industry in 2015, Liam Lacey, Director of the IMDO said “the economic contribution made by our ports to the broader economy is recognised in the Government’s integrated plan for the marine industry - Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth. The plan describes ports as enablers of economic growth. Their competitiveness and efficiency impact directly on international trade and have a direct influence on the job creation capacity of the economy.”

Director Lacey added, “As our ports move closer to the peak volumes handled in 2007/2008, it is important to address the need for additional capacity. Ambitious development plans, capable of meeting the growing needs of the national economy, have been progressed by Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Foynes and will be brought to fruition over the next five years. It is also important for other regional ports to consider the role that they will play in the provision of future capacity and in the achievement of the economic objectives set out in the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Strategy.”

“Apart from providing the infrastructure that is needed for shipping, our ports are important transport and logistics hubs for heavy industry requiring access to seaborne transport. A number of Irish ports have naturally occurring deep water and shore-side capacity to handle the largest ocean-going vessels and the cargoes they carry. Irish ports are also capable of providing the services and infrastructure required by the marine renewable energy industry, in which Ireland has a strategic interest.”

According to IMDO Director Lacey “The contribution that Irish ports can make to the broader marine economy by participating in these diverse activities is also recognised in the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Strategy and will be an important driver of growth in the maritime industry in the future”.

2015 was a good year for the Irish maritime industry and although the macro-economic and socio-political conditions that shape the performance of the global maritime industry are not without downside risks, our maritime industry is well positioned to take advantage of the forecasted growth in the Irish economy in the coming years.

Published in Ports & Shipping
The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) are to hold an Open Day at their campus in Ringaskiddy, Cork Harbour on Tuesday 25th October between 10am-3pm.
According to the NMCI there is a severe shortage of trained personnel and that there are excellent employment opportunities for careers within the maritime industry. The courses on offer are B.Sc Nautical Science, B.Eng in Marine & Plant Engineering, B.Eng. Marine Electotechnology and a Higher Certificate in Nautical Studies.

The open day is primarily aimed at fourth-year transition and leaving certicifcate students. For further information, enquiries and bookings for groups contact NMCI Tel: (021) 497 0607 by email: [email protected] and also the website: www.nmci.ie

Published in Jobs

Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay