#portofcork – The Port of Cork Company has reported increased total traffic volumes of over 5% for the first six months of 2012. This is in strong contrast with recent figures released by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) which showed a significant decrease in shipping volumes across Irish ports when six key seaports are taken into account.

Container traffic (Lo/Lo) increased by over 5% compared to the same period in 2011, with imports up nearly 6% and exports up almost 5%. Figures taking into account traffic in all Irish ports have shown a decline in imports of 4% and a decline in exports of 2% for the first six months of 2012.

Dry bulk cargoes also continued to perform well with the Port of Cork maintaining traffic volumes at 2011 levels for the first and second quarter of 2012. With a reported decline of -6% from all Irish ports, Cork has seen a notable rise in imports of animal feedstuffs and coal. Overall, bulk cargoes (break & liquid) are up 3% compared to the same period in 2011.

Port of Cork continues to see an increase in oil traffic with imports over 6% and exports up 7% while non-oil traffic also increased by 3% when compared to the same period in 2011.

Commenting on the traffic figures for the Port of Cork, Brendan Keating CEO said "2012 to date has seen our traffic volumes in a growth mode as we continue to serve as Southern Ireland's gateway for trade. The Port of Cork is perfectly placed as a trading hub for European and the American Markets with its deep water facilities and as such we are continuing to expand and grow our facilities to meet our customer's demands. As a port, our strength is in the diversity of our trades such as oil, chemicals, gas, coal, wood, animal feed, fertiliser, off-shore supply and ferries."

Another growth sector is our cruise business with the Port of Cork welcoming a total of 60 cruise liners calling in 2012, bringing over 100,000 passengers and crew to the region. The ports deep water and dedicated cruise terminal means it is the only port in Ireland capable of handling these vessels alongside. These cruise visits are estimated to bring in some €17 million and 200 full-time-equivalent jobs to the local economy.

#CORK HARBOUR - Due to the success of previous years’ festivals, Cork Harbour Open Day has now been expanded to a two-day Open Weekend for 2012, with activities for all ages taking place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September.  

The open weekend is a great opportunity for people to see exactly what Cork Harbour has to offer, and this year is no exception with the second largest natural harbour in the world playing host to the annual Cobh-to-Blackrock sailing race, kayaking on the River Lee and crab fishing in Cobh, while in Cork city the Naval Service vessel LE Ciara will be open to the public for free tours on both the Saturday and Sunday.  

Visitors to Ringaskiddy over the weekend will be given the opportunity to go on a free guided tour around the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and see its panoramic bridge ship simulators, the survival pool and the marine workshops.  

Also running in the NMCI will be free screenings of finalist entries of 8 Minutes: The Ford Short Film Competition. Part of the Titanic 100 event, the competition saw hundreds of entries from film-makers across Ireland who submitted short films of eight minutes in length based on a Titanic theme. All 12 finalists’ entries will be screened over the weekend.  

To celebrate Cork Harbour Open Weekend, Spike Island is offering a family day out on the Island with live music, children’s entertainers and an opportunity to walk on the recently completed walking trail around the perimeter of Fort Mitchell with stunning views of Cork Harbour. Military exhibitions will also be on display. Visitors to the island are being encouraged to bring their own picnic. Guided Walking Tours of Fort Mitchell are also available at a 50% discount of the normal rate over the weekend. Boat rides will operate from Kennedy Pier in Cobh to the Island.  

In Crosshaven, Camden Fort Meagher will be hosting military re-enactments on both days. On Sunday a family day will be held featuring children’s entertainers, a fancy dress competition and live music.  

In Cobh, there will be crab fishing at the promenade from 3pm–5pm on the Saturday while Sunday will see a ‘Life Along the Seashore’ walk at 3pm. Also in Cobh on both Saturday and Sunday will be the ‘Great Island, Great Harbour, Great Ships, Great Puzzle’ treasure hunt.  

Blackrock Castle Observatory will present its theatrical tours on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the colourful story of the castle to life from 400 years ago to present day. It’s a great venue for all the family and a superb location to watch the Cobh-to-Blackrock sailing race as the yachts head up the river.  

Also taking place on the Saturday is the Emergency, Voluntary and Statutory Services Exhibition which will see demonstrations and drills showcasing the best of the emergency services. Organisers will simulate crash scenes, perform fire-fighting displays, take to the River Lee in sea riders to perform RIB displays and mount a simulated rescue operation in which rescue personnel will abseil from buildings.  

Aimed at embracing all that Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Weekend aims to raise awareness of the different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water. It’s a great day for all the family with many events free to everyone.  

The idea for a Harbour Open Day, now extended to a full weekend, emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour in 2007. This has been taken forward by the Harbour Management Focus Group (HMFG) which meets quarterly to exchange information on Harbour issues. The HMFG working group comprising representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.    

For more information on Cork Harbour Open Weekend and to view the full programme of events visit www.corkharbour.ie.

#COASTAL CRUISING – The world's smallest 5-star luxury cruiseship, Hebridean Princess (1964/2,112grt) is nearing the end of a 7-night 'South from Cork' fly-cruise, visiting locations only along the south-west coastline, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Accommodating just 50 guests in opulent surroundings styled as a 'country house party atmosphere', Hebridean Princess is a far cry from her previous career as a humble ferry serving in the Scottish western isles.

On her Irish cruise, she has called so far to Schull, Bantry, Glengariff, Castletownbere, Slea Head near Dingle and Kinsale.

What makes this cruise itinerary unusual is that the area covered is confined to a region. Normally other operators visiting Ireland, asides those just calling to one or two city ports, would visit ports stretching along the western seaboard. Also different is that this fly-cruise departs and returns from the same Irish port.

The final night of the cruise will be spent on board the vessel tonight, with the ship moored at North Custom House Quay, beside the Port of Cork Company building in the heart of the city docklands.

Prices for the cruise operated by Hebridean Island Cruises started from £3,400 per person which includes two gala dinners and return scheduled flights from selected UK airports to Cork.

Hebridean Princess will remain in Cork until tomorrow when she begins a 9-nights 'Gaelic Explorer' cruise with calls to Kinsale, Dublin, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland before returning to home waters in Scotland.

#PORT OF CORK – The Munster port posted an operating profit before exceptional costs of €1.3 million – down by €700,000 from 2010 – on a turnover of €21.4 million. Port of Cork chairman Dermot O'Mahoney expressed satisfaction at the port's performance in 2011.

Traffic amounted to 8.8 million tonnes in 2011, which matched 2010 levels, with oil amounting to 4.96 million tonnes and non-oil traffic accounting for 3.4 million tonnes, according to Mr O'Mahoney. Oil traffic, handled mainly at Conoco Phillips Whitegate Oil refinery, was down 1 per cent on 2010 but non-oil traffic maintained the same level as 2010.

Container traffic in 2011 increased by 6 per cent to 156,667 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit). For more about Ireland's second biggest port in terms of containers handled, a report appeared in yesterday's Irish Times.

#corkharbour – Failte is the appropriate name for the first Irish boat most foreign ships and cruise liners will meet when they enter Cork harbour. The Port of Cork today officially named a new pilot boat at the Port of Cork City Marina. Built by Safehaven Marine, "Failte" will be replacing the "Sonia" which was named after Sonia O'Sullivan and has served the Port gallantly for the past fourteen years.

Dermot O'Mahoney, Chairman of the Port of Cork said "An Irish welcome is synonymous with the Port of Cork and reflects our attitude to all vessels that call to our harbour so it is fitting that we are christening our new pilot boat "Failte" today".

Captain Pat Farnan, Harbour Master and Deputy Chief Executive of the Port of Cork continued "Our pilots and launch crew provide a service that is second to none. Their skill and seamanship has seen some of the world's largest vessels such as the "Queen Mary 2" and the "Independence of the Seas" navigated safely in and out of our Port and I have no doubt "Failte" will serve the Port well for many years to come. The launches are required to operate in all weather conditions, 365 days a year and must be built to a very high standard to make this possible."

Safehaven Marine is a local Cork based company, employing 25 staff in Little Island and Youghal. Since the company was founded in 2008, they have supplied pilot boats to countries across the globe from Scandinavia to the Middle East and are now one of Europe's leading manufacturers of GRP pilot boat.

Safehaven Marine, Managing Director Frank Kowalski commented "We are delighted to once again be supplying the Port of Cork's new pilot vessel, "Failte" having also built their last new pilot boat, the "Gleann Mór" six years ago. It is extra special for us to be working with our local Port in delivering this vessel, which is a proud example of our high level design and engineering."

The pilot launches undertake in excess of 3,000 services per annum to vessels of all types including cruise ships and cargo vessels.

#PORT OF CORK – The Cork Business Association recently awarded the Cork of Port Company as the 'Large Company of the Year for the 2nd Quarter 2012'.

The port is home to Irelands only dedicated cruise berth in Cobh, which during this year's season will see a total of 60 cruiseships visiting the harbour between April and November. In that timeframe more than 100,000 passengers and crew are to call to the region. According to Failte Ireland, the average spend per in-transit passenger approximately €73 per day which brings positive impacts for business in Cork.

Commenting on the award Brendan Keating CEO of the port said "We as a port are delighted to be receiving this award today from Cork Business Association. 2012 is proving to be another busy year for the cruise business in Cork, with 60 liners calling, of which three are operating part turnaround calls and ten liners are maiden visits to the port. We are continuing to work to grow our business and we have ambitious plans to increase to 80 cruise calls a season over the next five years".

He continued "While the port puts in a huge effort to bring the liners to Cork the business would not work without the relationship and continued joint efforts of the tour operators, ship-agents, bus companies, Irish Rail and local tourism groups".

Keating also emphasised the importance of the regions tourist attractions on offer, which helped to make the cruise business what it is today.

As of this week Afloat.ie adds that Hebridean Island Cruises 50 passenger Hebridean Princess is scheduled to call to Cobh overnight on Wednesday. At the start of next weekend sees Silverseas Cruises 296 passenger Silver Cloud call on Friday. Two days later the giant 3,592 passenger capacity Caribbean Princess is also to make an apperance berthing alongide the town's deepwater quay. For a list of cruise caller click HERE.

#portofcork – The Port of Cork Maritime Collection, an exhibition of maritime themed paintings and models is now open at the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh.  The exhibition, which will run until 22nd July, will showcase a selection of the Port's historic maritime art pieces dating back from the 1800s. Highlights of the collection include a number of paintings by marine artist George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson and Robert Lowe Stopford who is known for his series of panoramic views of Queenstown.

This exhibition offers the public a chance to view this one of a kind collection of paintings and models which are usually housed in the Port's headquarters in Custom House. In 2005, to celebrate Cork's year as Capital of Culture, the Port of Cork hosted an exhibition of maritime art dating back to the 1700s which drew hundreds of visitors from far and wide. In 2010, paintings also went on loan to Dachau museum for an exhibition which formed part of a year-long commemoration of the life and works of renowned Cork composer and conductor Aloys Fleischmann.  More recently, in April 2012, paintings went on loan to Belfast Port to form part of their 'Kings of the Tides' exhibition.

Speaking about the exhibition, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Brendan Keating said "The Port of Cork is delighted that we are able to share our exceptional collection of paintings and models with the people of Cork and beyond. These works give us a glimpse of how our harbour has changed over the years and also reminds us of the rich history of Cork's shipping business. I would like to thank Sirius Arts Centre for hosting our collection and to Peter Murray and the Crawford Gallery for making this exhibition possible."

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge.

For further information, see www.siriusartscentre.ie or phone 021 4813790.

Gallery Opening Hours:

Wednesday – Friday: 11AM - 5PM

Saturday & Sunday: 2PM - 5PM

Monday & Tuesday: Closed

#PORTOFCORK – The Port of Cork today officially marked the expansion of the container handling facility at the Sean Lemass Deepwater Terminal, Ringaskiddy. These additional handling facilities have enabled the Port of Cork and global shipping company, Maersk to commence their first ever direct service to Ireland which now operates weekly, starting in the Mexican port of Vera Cruz and calling to Costa Rica, Belize and Panama before reaching Cork. This new service has enabled the Port of Cork to greatly increase efficiency both in imports and exports.

The Port of Cork has invested €2.9 million to bring this new service to fruition, with the investment in a new container compound and with the purchase of a new electric RTG (Rubber Tyred Gantry).

Port of Cork Chairman, Dermot O'Mahoney explained how this expansion is essential both for the port and for the local economy "The investment by the Port of Cork in this new facility demonstrates our commitment as a port to continue to grow the container business which in turn, provides a much needed stimulus in Ireland's import and export trade. Over the coming months, we will be embarking on new projects to continue to grow our facilities and to attract more services such as this into Cork.

"The vessels being used for this service are some of the largest of their type to be accommodated in the port, highlighting the deep-water capabilities of the port and the excellent facilities we have in place to handle such a service," he continued.

This new service sees a return of the banana trade with Fyffes to Cork which has not been seen in the port since the 1980s.

#PORTOFCORK – Port of Cork is host to a United Nations capacity building programme on international trade TrainForTrade Port Training Programme focussing on 'Modern Port Management' which kicked off yesterday (Tuesday, 22nd May 2012) and which will run in the city for two weeks, until 1st June.

The programme, which sees 28 delegates attending from countries across the globe including Ghana, Indonesia, Maldives, Namibia, South Africa, Pakistan and Tanzania, has been organised by UNCTAD in cooperation with Port of Cork (PoC), Dublin Port Company (DPC), Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHC), and with the support of Irish Aid.

The TrainForTrade programme was set-up to facilitate sustainable economic development in developing and transition countries through training and capacity development and is run by UNCTAD, whose mandate is to work for development-led globalisation, where the development paths are sustainable and inclusive.

At the Port Training Programme, delegates will participate in workshops and will learn best practice examples from a wide selection of Port of Cork's operational areas including strategic planning, financial management, economic and commercial management and administrative and legal management. Workshops will also be given by representatives from Dublin Port Company, Irish Aid, UCC and Dublin City University throughout the two week programme.

Speaking about the conference, Port of Cork Harbour Master, Captain Pat Farnan commented "We are delighted to be hosting this exceptional conference with UNCTAD both to showcase our world class port facilities here in Cork and also to extend our knowledge of port operations to these delegates. Together with Dublin Port Company, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Irish Aid, we recognise the importance of helping these countries to develop sustainable commercial port operations for themselves and I am certain this training programme will play a substantial part in achieving that goal.

"All of the delegates attending this conference are involved in port management in their respective countries and it is our goal that they will take their learning's back to their colleagues at home to train others to ensure that this valuable knowledge is passed on", he continued.

#CRUISE LINERS – Due to bad weather a 11-day circumnavigation cruise of Ireland by Clipper Adventurer which is currently en-route from Argentina has been diverted to Cork, deferring the start of the cruise which was due to depart from Waterford today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 101m long vessel operated by Noble Caledonia was to welcome over 230 American and Canadian passenger on a cruise organised by Adventure Canada, in association with Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

According to the cruise itinerary the tourists were firstly to fly to Dublin and stay last night in a city-centre hotel. Also originally as scheduled was a coach tour today to visit Glendalough and the Rock of Cashel before reaching Waterford this afternoon to board the small expedition ship.

Despite the setback the 4,000 tonnes vessel with a crew of 65 which is on a repositioning voyage from South America to Europe was to make Cork her port of call tomorrow anyway. The only change being the embarkation port at the expense of the crystal city.

Clipper Adventurer is expected to arrive in Cork Harbour from 12 noon tomorrow and head for Ringaskiddy Deepwater Terminal. Also due is the 290m Emerald of the Seas which at 113,000 tonnes is in complete contrast as the massive vessel can accommodate over 3,500 passengers and 1,200 crew. She is to berth at Cobh cruise terminal.

Asides cruise callers the ferryport in Ringaskiddy will be as usual expecting the weekend-only call of Brittany Ferries flagship cruiseferry Pont-Aven, having made a crossing overnight from Roscoff.

While on the May Bank Holiday Monday Cobh is also set to welcome an even larger cruise caller in the form of the Independence of the Seas. The 154,000 tonnes giant is no stranger to the harbour as she made her maiden 'Irish' port of call in 2007. She can handle over 4,300 passengers and over 1,300 crew alone.