Irish Ports

Brexit sees tighter UK customs controls on exports from Republic to Britain and on the UK land-bridge come into effect, which exporters predict the new measures will led to more paperwork and costs.

Tighter Brexit Related New UK Customs Controls on Exports from Republic to Britain Come into Effect

31st January 2024 Irish Ports

As of Wednesday midnight, new UK customs controls have come into effect on exports crossing the Irish Sea from the Republic to Britain. It was the British government that flagged the move, however this was delayed several times since the…

During the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show the total number of ship’s arrivals were 3,130 to the seven main Irish ports compared with 3,202 in period Q3, 2022.

Figures from CSO Show Irish Ports Handled 11.8 Million tonnes of Goods in Q3, 2023 - Decrease of 4% on Last Year

25th January 2024 Irish Ports

Irish Ports handled 11.8 million tonnes of goods in Q3 of 2023, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures - for the period of July, August and September - a 4% decrease compared with same quarter 2022. As RTE News reports, the…

A new service from shipbuilder, Harland & Wolff, is to focus on its UK and Europe-wide sea freight, towage and workboat charter to clients in addition the dedicated fleet will provide support in the internal movement of structures between the Group’s yards in Belfast, Scotland and England.

New Charter-Service Fleet Division at Harland & Wolff to Support Group's Shipyards and Clients

23rd January 2024 Shipyards

Shipyard group, Harland & Wolff has formally commenced its marine services offering under Harland & Wolff (Marine Services) Ltd, this is part of its five-market, six-service business growth strategy. (HWMS), HWMS will be focussed on growing and maturing its UK…

Chemical tanker, Songa Crystal which required emergency repairs at Harland & Wolff, is seen at the Belfast Dry Dock, the smaller of two such facilities at the shipyard.

Tanker Requiring Emergency Repairs Calls to Harland & Wolff's Belfast Dry-Dock

22nd January 2024 Shipyards

A Maltese flagged oil/chemical tanker which required emergency repairs is at the shipyard of Harland & Wolff, Belfast having arrived earlier this month, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 127m red hulled tanker, Songa Crystal called to Belfast Lough on 8 January…

Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has signed contracts with French shipbuilder group, Piriou of Concarneau, Brittany, to build in Vietnam, a new three deck passenger ferry Scillonian IV and a cargo vessel to serve the islands off Cornwall, England. The newbuilds replace veteran ferry Scillonian III and freighter, Gry Maritha on the Penzance-Hugh Town, St. Mary’s, Scilly route. The newbuilds are to be delivered in 2026. Afloat adds, the contract will strengthen Cornish-Breton ties as both Penzance and Concarneau, have been twin towns since 1982.

New Isles of Scilly Steamship Group Vessels Remain on Target for 2026 as Contracts Signed

18th January 2024 Shipyards

Operator, Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) has has signed landmark contracts with a French shipbuilding group, Piriou, which will secure the long-term future of passenger travel and freight supplies to and from the islands off Cornwall, England. The ISSG which…

The ship-repair division at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead experienced significant growth towards the end of 2023, up by 50% of same time last year, as more than 11 vessels arrived from new and returning customers. Among the callers was dredger, Freeway which had to temporarily go off service while on Waterford estuary, but returned to successfully complete the work last month.

Merseyside Ship Repair Division at Cammell Laird Experiences Significant Growth

18th January 2024 Shipyards

The commercial ship repair division of shipbuilder, Cammell Laird, Birkenhead has experienced significant growth towards the end of 2023, as business was up by 50% when compared from this time last year. In the last two months alone, the facility…

CGI of newbuild twins, being built in Turkey for Calmac’s ferry routes to Islay / Jura, off the Mull of Kintyre are progressing well unlike Scottish shipyard tonnage. As at a Clyde shipyard, another second pair for the Arran service, are considerably delayed, as they were to enter service in 2018.

Islay Ferry from Shipyard in Turkey to Arrive Five Years Faster than Second Arran Vessel Built in Scotland

14th January 2024 Shipyards

Under construction in Turkey, a ferry to serve Scottish west coast operator CalMac, it has emerged is on track to be delivered five years faster than the second of a pair involved in the fiasco at the nationalised shipyard Ferguson…

The Department of Transport’s ‘Review of the National Ports Policy' consists of a two-part consultation process, noting final submissions from stakeholders will close on 15th January, 2024. Above a bulk-carrier berthed at an Irish Port.

Review of National Ports Policy - Closing Date For Submissions 15th January, 2024

10th January 2024 Irish Ports

The Department of Transport back in October launched 'A review of the National Ports Policy' which consists of a two-part consultation process, noting that final submissions from stakeholders will close on 15th January, 2024. Part 1 will involve the publication…

UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps who is also the government's shipbuilding tsar, has written a letter to the chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly over the decision by the ISSG to go overseas and order a new ferry and cargo ship with a French shipbuilder, albeit both vessels will be built in Asia. The new tonnage is to replace the seasonal ferry, Scillonian III and year-round freighter, Gry Maritha, which serve between Penzance and the islands off Cornwall.

UK Government Minister Wades into Isles of Scilly Ferry Row Over Contract to French Shipbuilder Group

9th January 2024 Shipyards

The UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps has intervened in a row over the shipyard which the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) has decided to order a contract with a French firm for its new fleet. In a letter written, BBC…

In this scene taken in the early hours, newbuild Arklow Ranger, an Eco-Trader 6,800dwt class cargo ship, departed a Dutch inland shipyard to Eemshaven so to undergo sea trials in the North Sea.

Arklow Ranger Reaches Seaport Before Shipbuilder's Trials Take Full Course

9th January 2024 Shipyards

In an update on Arklow Ranger, the fourth of seven Dutch shipyard completed Eco-Traders of the 6,800dwt / R class cargo ships, departed last month from its inland location to reach a seaport, writes Jehan Ashmore. An Autumnal launch of…

Work is underway at Harland & Wolff’s Appledore shipyard, Devon, England on the construction of a specialist cable barge which is to serve the requirements of the UK’s Royal Navy at Portsmouth.

First Steel Cut at Harland & Wolff Appledore for New Anchor/Cable Barge Based in UK

9th January 2024 Shipyards

Belfast shipbuilder, the Harland & Wolff Group have cut the first steel on a new cable barge it is building for defence contractor KBS Maritime of Portsmouth from where the vessel will be located at the UK’s main naval base.…

Harland & Wolff, the Belfast based shipyard group, chooses not to increase its bid to buy Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which operates Scillonian III to the archipelago off Cornwall on a seasonal basis along with a year-round freight run between Penzance-St. Mary’s, Scilly. The Scillonian III was built in 1977 in neighbouring Devon, at Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. In recent years AFLOAT adds, the yard was acquired by the Harland & Wolff Group.

Harland & Wolff Group Opts Not to Pursue Bid for Isles of Scilly Ferry

22nd December 2023 Shipyards

Shipyard firm Harland & Wolff based in Belfast has decided not to make a formal bid to buy the passenger ferry and freight-company, which operates to the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall. In an initial approach by H&W to acquire…

Sligo Port has often been seen in the past as having a precarious future, however there were many positives that emerged about the north-west port, during Sligo County Council’s recent monthly meeting. Above is a short-sea cargo ship Scot Trader, which AFLOAT adds, has been replaced by a successor of the same name, which also primarily trades in forest/timber products.

Port of Sligo Where Initiatives Are Underway to Create More Business

15th December 2023 Irish Ports

In the north-west at Sligo Port, is where the facility could possibly see an increase in shipping activities to take place in the coming years. The potential for increased traffic at the port, Sligo Champion reports is on foot of…

With shipyards in Belfast, Arnish in Scotland and Appledore, England, the Harland & Wolff Group this week reached the milestone of 1,000 employees that includes delivery centres and commercial sites.

Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff Group Reaches Milestone of 1,000th Employee

14th December 2023 Shipyards

With its largest shipyard based in Belfast, the Harland & Wolff Group has announced that it has reached 1,000 employees across the company's facilities on both sides of the Irish Sea. The international shipbuilding and marine engineering business continues to actively…

The new Mersey ferry, according to Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram has confirmed that the new vessel would solely be built on Merseyside. This is to take place at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead and will be the first new ferry in 60 years, and as the Liverpool Echo reports is to cost in the region of £26m with a delivery due in 2025.

New Mersey Ferry to Be Built Locally at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead Will be the First in 60 Years

13th December 2023 Shipyards

The shipyard which built the UK's polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, Cammell Laird is to construct the first new Mersey ferry in 60 years, in a move which marks a major milestone for the shipbuilder. Located at Birkenhead…

Shipyard visit, as the UK Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP is seen at Harland & Wolff, Belfast, on the day same that the Labour Party announced a commitment to build all government vessels across shipyards in the UK, should they be elected into an administration.

UK Shadow Secretary Visits Harland & Wolff As Labour Party Announce Government Ships to Be Built Across UK If Elected

13th December 2023 Shipyards

A visit to Harland & Wolff Group’s Belfast shipyard took place recently by the UK Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP. The visit according to Harland & Wolff came on the same day that the Shadow…