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Displaying items by tag: US Sanctions

#ShannonEstuary -  A private meeting between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and management of the Russian-owned alumina producing plant in Askeaton, Co Limerick, was held yesterday as “concern” mounted over the plant’s continued operations, and the future of its 450 workforce.

As The Irish Times reports, Aughinish on the shores of the Shannon Estuary, is the largest alumina refinery in Europe.

Owned by Rusal, the Limerick facility is facing an uncertain future, after severe trade sanctions were imposed by the US Treasury Department on Rusal’s owner Oleg Deripaska, on April 6.

Mr Varadkar confirmed he met with Aughinish management representatives Sean Garland and Damien Clancy in Limerick on Friday.

Mr Varadkar said: “I’m aware of the situation. I spoke to Sean Garland on the phone last week and I met him this morning. The government are very very much aware of the risks, and we’ll do everything we can to assist the company, and to ensure that it can continue to operate as normal.”

To read more on this development, click here. 

Afloat adds that bulk-carriers for example Arklow Mill (see full view photo) of the 'M' class sisters are regular callers to the mid-western industrial plant.  

In addition the Irish flagged member of the 50 strong Arklow Shipping fleet that is shared with a Dutch division (see newbuilds update) has involved Arklow Mill export the finished product, alumina, for further processing through smelting.

As previously reported the bulk-carrier has called to Grundartangi, a smelting plant located north of the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

Published in Shannon Estuary

As an island economy, a healthy maritime sector is key to our national competitiveness. Virtually all our imports and exports pass through Irish ports.

Ireland is dependent on ports and shipping services to transport goods and 90% of our trade is moved though Irish ports. Shipping and maritime transport services make a significant contribution to Ireland’s ocean economy, with the sector generating €2.3 billion in turnover and employing over 5,000 people in 2018.

Ireland’s maritime industry continues to grow and progress each year with Irish ports and shipping companies making significant investments. The ports sector in Ireland is currently undergoing a number of expansions and developments with Dublin Port’s Alexandra Basin development, the development of Ringaskiddy in Cork by Port of Cork and the development of Shannon Foynes Port. Along with these major investments, shipping companies are also investing heavily in new tonnage, with Irish Ferries, CLdN and Stena leading new build programmes.

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A recent study carried out for the Irish Ports Association (IPA) totalled 75.7 billion during 2004 and their net economic impact was some 5.5 billion supporting around 57, 500 full time employees.

Liam Lacey, Director of the Marine Institute’s Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) said, “The Irish maritime industry can look to the future with confidence. It has shown itself to be resilient and agile in responding to challenges. Over the past decade, it has had to respond to the challenges of the financial crisis of 2008, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and recent challenges. Ireland’s maritime sector has continued to underpin our economy by maintaining vital shipping links for both trade and tourism.”