#IrishPorts - Afloat previously reported recalling in Limerick Docks more than a decade ago of a general cargoship Celtic Spirit whose successor sharing the same name recently called to Wicklow Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.
To recap, firstly the call of the past to Limerick in 2006 involved Celtic Spirit (1976/2,978grt) that was loaded with round timber (logs) then a newly formed trade. On the call by the current Celtic Spirit (1996/2,840grt) to Wicklow last week, this followed a departure of the ship's owners homeport of Cardiff, Wales.
The single box hold Celtic Spirit is operated by Charles M Willie Shipping Ltd, whose ships funnels are adjorned with a crest depicting an adaptive version of the Welsh flag with distinctive dragon. Also incorporated is a 'W' representing the intial of the shipowners also engaged in managing, charterering and liner operations. As reported in the coverage from Limerick, a pair of Arklow Shipping vessels in recent years were acquired by the Welsh shipping interests.
Celtic Spirit arrival to Wicklow took place last Friday and on the next day of the October Bank Holiday weekend, loading began of solid recovered fuel (SRF) which is waste used for incineration. The shortsea trader remained at the east coast port into the early hours of Sunday morning, then headed north bound for Sodertalje in Sweden.
Also tracked Scot Isles which too had berthed in the same Cardiff Docks of Queen Alexandra Dock. The ship operated by Scotline has over the years been a regular trader to Wicklow and where on the Bank Holiday Monday discharged a typical cargo of packaged timber originally from Sweden.
