During the arrival of Belem to the Port of Galway, the famous French trainee tallship and one-time Guinness family luxury barque joined other vessels in the port since yesterday, writes Jehan Ashmore
Belem’s crew of 16 and up to 48 trainees, as Afloat previously reported, is on a tour of Ireland, having docked at the port’s Dun Aengus Dock, following a leisurely sail after departing Cork city Quays on Sunday. The tallship operated by Foundation Belem promotes sail-training opportunities.
Also occupying the dock basin in terms of commercial shipping was the short-sea coastal tanker Thun Gratitude of the G-class operated by Swedish operator Thun Tankers, part of Erik Thun AB.
The oil/chemical tanker arrived in the early hours of today from Milford Haven, which is the UK’s biggest energy port located in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. This afternoon, however, the 114m ship was underway having departed the dock’s gates bound for Whitegate in Cork Harbour, Ireland’s only oil refinery facility.
In addition, but berthed outside the dock, at the New Docks, which connects the Aran Islands, this is Ireland’s longest-distance domestic route, operated by Lasta Mara Teoranta’s main general cargo trader, Saoirse na Mara as seen above in recent years. The freighter can crane-load vehicles as part of providing lifeline services to the rest of the western isles, while other vessels use Rossaveal in Connemara.
Likewise, the similarly named passenger fast-ferry Saoirse na Farriage uses the New Docks too, as the flagship of operator Aran Islands Ferries, is kept busy on the 'seasonal’ service between the city and Kilronan on Inishmore. The craft built in Hong Kong on the return leg runs a Cliffs of Moher cruise for Irish holidaymakers and tourists alike during this peak-season.
