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Displaying items by tag: Irish port volumes

#PORT & SHIPPING – According to the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) the volume of port and shipping traffic through the Republic of Ireland remained relatively stable in the third quarter of 2012.

The latest analysis of the traffic data indicates that two of the five principal freight segments returned to growth in the third quarter, two declined and one remained unchanged.

Lift-on/lift-off (Lo/lo) trades declined 2%

Container traffic (Lo/lo) has declined by 2% during the third quarter of this year. Exports, as a subset of these figures fell for the second consecutive quarter, declining by 3% as weaker demand conditions prevailed, particularly in the Euro zone area. However, exports to other markets in Asia, South Africa, and both North and Latin America remained relatively firm. Imports declined by 1%, representing the 19th consecutive quarter of declining import volumes. However, the rate of decline in this segment has eased considerably over the course of 2012, possibly indicating the market might be finally bottoming out.

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/ro) traffic was unchanged at 0%

Roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) traffic remained unchanged in the Republic of Ireland for Quarter 3 compared to the same period last year. The majority of ro/ro freight from Ireland is destined for Great Britain which continues to underperform, with leading economic indicators recording weaknesses in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Nonetheless, this is a slight improvement for this shipping market segment having recorded two consecutive quarterly declines earlier this year.

Dry bulk volumes increased by 13%

Dry bulk shipments, which make up the largest volume of traffic throughput at Irish ports, grew by 13% during the third quarter of 2012. Improved domestic demand for agricultural products contributed to the rise while exports of ores and other industrial commodities also performed well.

Tanker/Liquid bulk market increased by 9%

Liquid bulk volumes of tanker based petroleum products increased by 9% in the third quarter. This increase was primarily as a result of large volumes of crude oil being transhipped at Bantry Harbour's oil storage facilities. Excluding Bantry, volumes would have seen a decline of 8% in Quarter 3, which perhaps more accurately reflects domestic demand for petroleum products.

Break bulk volumes down by 10%

Break bulk volumes, which represent the smallest segment of the domestic market, continued to decline into Quarter 3, falling by 10% with no rise in demand for construction related materials such as steel or timber. Demand in this segment remains at historically low levels.

Outlook: The outlook for the remainder of the year appears to suggest slightly improved conditions in both import and export volumes. This is as a result of a modest pick up in seasonal trade observed during October and early November. Nonetheless, market demand conditions going forward into 2013 remain challenging. The Euro-zone officially entered into its second recession since 2009 during the third quarter this year, while continued uncertainty regarding Greece and some other member states still remains.

Globally, much focus has been on the slowdown in the Chinese and other Asian economies. The Irish growth forecast has also been revised downwards for 2013. Sentiment amongst major shipping lines and shipowners remains low. Many shipowners have to deal with a large over supply of shipping capacity in almost all sectors along with weak underlying trade demand, increased operating costs and record low charter markets.

Published in Ports & Shipping

#PORTS & SHIPPING – After the first three months of 2012 Drogheda Port Company reported figures well above average in the port sector with throughput growth posting an impressive 59% increase on the corresponding period of last year.

Over 228,000 tonnes of cargo was handled by the Co. Louth port and for the first time the balance of trade in the port equalised with 50% of the volume represented by imports and 50% of the volume represented by exports.

The volume growth at the port is very much export led with a number of indigenous industries focusing on the European and UK markets as outlets for their products.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie a new tonnage record was set in January when the Arklow Bridge (2011/4,723grt) carrying 7,175 tonnes of maize representing the largest ever single cargo handled in the port.

Mr Paul Fleming, Drogheda Port Chief Executive said "Drogheda Port continues to provide a strategic import/export location for our customers with a service more flexible and cost competitive than other larger ports. This is helping us to win new contracts and grow our business".

He added: "The ports performance demonstrates the economy is rebalancing towards exports at a time when our economic recovery is very much dependent on being driven by our exporting firms."

The outlook for the Irish port sector for 2012 looks likely to be testing for the domestic port and shipping sectors and according to the port they project to continue above average volume increases for the year.

In May the port can look forward to hosting its first cruise call by the Clipper Adventurer (1975/4,367grt) as previously reported. The vessel will be undertaking its inaugural circumnavigation of the island of Ireland visiting a number of destinations including Drogheda and the Boyne Valley.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of.   For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water.  The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.

The Forty-foot Christmas Day swim

A Dublin institution that brings people from across Dublin and beyond for a dip in the chilly winter sea. Bathers arrive in the dark from 6 am and by noon the entire forty foot is a sea of red Santa hats!

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