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Displaying items by tag: New Directors

Belfast Harbour has recently made the appointment of three new Directors to its Leadership Team.

The appointments are designed so to continue developing its strategy to become a world leading regional port and a key economic hub for the region. As well to growing economic activity, adopting new technology and to the highest environmental standards.

Ian Lang joined Belfast Harbour as Infrastructure and Sustainability Director. This follows 15 years’ experience in the transport and aviation sector, leading the development agenda at airports in various geographies, most recently including Gatwick, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Significant experience by Lang has been in delivering complex infrastructure projects, including the project management of large-scale capital investment portfolios, and will bolster Teams in developing high-quality, sustainable infrastructure. In addition the role involves promoting Belfast Harbour’s Green Port strategy.

Mike Dawson has been appointed as People and Corporate Services Director. From his previous roles, including Group HR and Corporate Services

Director at Dale Farm, Dawson brings a wealth of experience in developing progressive HR policies and procedures, and will drive Belfast’s Harbour’s commitment to nurturing and attracting diverse talent.

Kevin Ryan's appointment is as the new Development Director, which follows a previous position with Dublin based international property company, Hines, where he was Development Director for 6 years.

Prior to this Ryan was Head of Property for Tesco Ireland. His depth of experience will support Belfast Harbour and partners in realising ambitions around future growth, enabling the organisation to continue to stimulate and grow the regional economy.

Published in Belfast Lough

New appointments at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company have been confirmed by the ferry operator.

Brian Thomson has become the new Managing Director. A maritime leader with a wealth of experience and knowledge, he will officially begin in the role on 5th July.

With a Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering background, Brian began his professional career with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. He relocated to the Isle of Man in 2014 to work as a Surveyor for the Isle of Man Ship Registry and, in 2019, was promoted to Principal Surveyor.

Brian recently led the Isle of Man Government Ill Code Compliance Project.

The second appointment at the Steam Packet is Kane Taha in the role of Operations Director.

A former Marine Manager with the Company, over the past six years he has broadened his maritime experience in Dubai as both a General Manager and a Chief Marine Specialist for the Dubai Government Road and Transport Authority.

He will take up his new post on 19th July.

Chairman Lars Ugland said: ‘On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome both Brian and Kane, two highly motivated and experienced individuals who will ensure continued stable leadership and growth.

‘The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company impacts on every facet of Island life and this is truly an interesting time in our history with many exciting projects on the horizon.

‘I am sure their contributions to the business will be invaluable going forward and we wish them every success in their new positions.’

Published in Ferry
Tagged under

#irishports - Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Shane Ross, has appointed two new directors to the board of the Port of Waterford Company following a competitive process managed by the Public Appointments Service.

Waterford Live writes, William Johnston and Derry O’Sullivan will join the existing board members Joe Dreelan; Louise Grubb; John Kehoe; Mary Mosse; Frank Ronan, CEO and Des Whelan, chairman.

Mr Johnston recently retired as a partner with Arthur Cox Solicitors where he specialised in banking law, capital markets and regulation. A board member at the National Maternity Hospital and the Housing Finance Agency, he is a former chair of the Law Society’s Business Law Committee and former co-chair of the Banking Law Division at the International Bar Association.

To read more on the appointments, click here. 

Published in Irish Ports

Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!