#AIDAcruises - AIDAcara (1996/38,000grt) with her bold livery of colourful facial features splashed over the hull, is more easily recognisable to cruise-goers and enthusiasts alike as a fleet member of AIDA Cruises, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Rostock based operator's 196m long vessel departed Dublin Port last night and is currently spending a port of call in Liverpool today.

Finnish-built AIDAcara is one of 9 ships of Aida Cruises fleet which began operations in 1994. The company employ almost 7,000 staff from 25 nations and where 6,000 work onboard and 900 are shored-based personnel.

In 2012, the company's ships in total carried more than 632,000 passengers.

The majority of the fleet (see the list) are of the 'Diva' class series which number seven vessels. Newbuilds have been ordered  and by 2016 the fleet is to increase to 12 vessels.

#CruiseCallerTrio-Dublin Port was busy during dawn this morning as three cruiseships docked within a couple of hours, they are the Europa, Prinsendam and Ocean Princess, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Hapag-Lloyd's 199m Bahamas-flagged Europa (1999/28,890grt) arrived from Gromarty and she is moored alongside the North Wall Extension (P&O Terminal) next to the East-Link toll-lift bridge.

The five-star rated 408-passenger vessel has a forward facing web-cam overlooking her bow, noting directly ahead is P&O Ferries Liverpool route ro-pax Norbay, unless viewed later!... as she had departed this morning.

Of the remaining pair of cruiseships, the nearest visible is Princess Cruises 179m Bermuda-flagged Ocean Princess (1999/30,277grt) which is docked in Alexandra Basin (West) alongside Ocean Pier, at berth No. 33. She arrived from Waterford and is originally the R4, one of an octet of vessels built for Renaissance Cruises, with a 680 passenger capacity.

To the right of Ocean Princess can be seen the 'merging' illusion of the upper decks that belong to Holland America Line's 204m Dutch-flagged Prinsendam (1988/38,848grt). The smallest vessel of the HAL fleet, Princendam with almost 700 passengers, docked on the other side of Ocean Pier at berth No.37 which is within the adjacent Alexandra Basin (East).

She had sailed from Liverpool and is to continue her cruise to other Irish ports making an anti-clockwise circuit. Among Princendam's ports of call is Foynes, where she is to become un-expectedly the first caller of the season to the Shannon.

As previously reported, Voyages of Discovery's 15,396 tonnes Voyager, which was intended to be the first scheduled cruise caller to the estuary port, did not arise as it transpired that the ship had generator problems. This forced her 9-day Irish cruise to be curtailed in Killybegs during late May.

#DublinPort - Billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien is behind an ambitious plan to make Dublin Port an international shipping services hub for the maritime industry, as The Irish Times reports.

The scheme has been presented to Dublin City Council as part of its call for submission on rezoning land in Dublin's Docklands area, already home to the Irish Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

It appears that the plan put forward by a company called ISSC Dublin - of which O'Brien is understood to be a financial backer - aims to do for shipping what the IFSC did for the international finance sector.

The Irish Maritime Development Organisation (IMDO) and IDA Ireland are also said to be involved in the ambitious project, which has the potential to create thousands of jobs.

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

#TallCruiseShip – Sea Cloud II returned to Dublin Port today and is clearly visible to motoring commuters using the East-Link Bridge, to where she is berthed nearby, writes Jehan Ashmore.

On her previous visit earlier this month, the 2001 built luxurious Maltese flagged barque had moored alongside Sir John Rogersons Quay, however todays arrival at the North Wall Extension is also where P&O Ferries operate daily services to Liverpool.

Sea Cloud II has a capacity for just 64 guests who have the added experience of cruising under her three masts which give a total sail area of approximately 32,150 sq. feet (3.000 m²). Operated by Sea Cloud Cruises, the 117m cruiseship belongs to a select fleet of vessels which have the added option of sail-assisted power.

Recent examples to Irish waters have been the Wind Surf which visited Dun Laoghaire Harbour and her sister Club Med 2 to Dublin Port. Both vessels have also made calls to other Irish ports before their Dublin Bay arrivals and this applied to Sea Cloud II which last night sailed from Belfast Harbour.

The cruiseship is scheduled to depart Dublin Port around 19.30hrs.

#PortsConference - The 2013 The Irish Ports Association Conference is to be hosted by Dublin Port Company and is to take place on 27 September in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin.

This year saw the launching of the new National Ports Policy, the conclusion by the Irish Competition Authority of a review of the ports sector and the publication by the EU Commission of a proposed ports Regulation. All of these create challenges for Irish ports whose efficiency and capacity is crucial to support international trade in goods.

The core themes of the IPA conference are ports policy, practice and planning. An elite panel of national and international speakers will not only examine recent policy developments but also to present examples from around the world (UK, Denmark, Greece and Chile) as to how ports elsewhere have adapted and responded to changing regulatory environments. For further information of the conference visit: ipadublin2013.com

#DublinPort – The Dublin Port Company have published their Annual Report & Accounts for 2012 following a presentation of the accounts by Minister for Transport Mr. Leo Varadker to the Government at cabinet level last week. 

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the state's largest port launched a Masterplan last year that set out the development of Dublin Port's for the period from 2012 to 2040.

The 30 year Masterplan costing €600m presented a vision for future operations at the port and critically examines how existing land use can be used for the efficient running of the port through exporting and importing merchandise.

#RenamedBULKER– The former detained 19,354 tonnes bulk-carrier Clipper Faith which was sold last month for €4.5m as previously reported on Afloat.ie has been renamed Island Mariner, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Under the directions of the Admiralty Marshall of the High Court the former Greek operated 181m bulk-carrier completed in 2008 at a Chinese shipyard was sold at public auction. Afloat.ie can reveal the buyer of the Clipper Faith was to another Greek interest, Lynx Shipping Company.

Clipper Faith easily became the largest vessel ever to be sold in an Irish port following the arrest of the vessel in Dublin Port. The plight of her 19-strong Ukrainian crew who had not been paid wages dating back to late last year drew the attention of the authorities.

The 29,501dwt tonnes Clipper Faith had docked in early March after discharging a cargo of animal feed products loaded in New Orleans. Ever since her arrival of more than four months ago, the vessel has had to shift berths on several occasions so to free up quay space for other commercial traffic.

Currently the Island Mariner is moored alongside the Coal Quay on the south quays and in readiness for her departure under her new owners.

#TheWORLD – This morning The World berthed in Dublin Port beside the East-Link Toll Bridge, having made calls to Belfast, Galway and London-Derry in this year of the UK City of Culture, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The exclusive residential vessel of 43,188 tonnes is operated by Residences at Sea. The on board community which own one or more of the 165 private residences between them is spread across the 196m long ship and with facilities on 12-decks.

She has visited Dublin Port several times and on this occasion the vessel is to stay in port for three nights and depart in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Click and scroll across the picture gallery to reveal The World's luxurious facilities which offer many different experiences. Among the various amenities is the swimming pool, a putting green, marina sports platform, the spa, a cigar club and regatta bar plus a choice of dining options. After an active day on board or an excursion ashore what about taking to an open-air Bali-bed!... and under a balmy starry night.

An example of the residents private quarters are the Two-Bedroom Apartments which in the majority have a fully-fitted kitchen, though residents can also dine out in the ships restaurants with a range of cuisine to suit many tastes.

On returning to these two-bedroom apartments, residents can relax in the spacious living and dining areas. The apartment has en-suite bathrooms in both the master bedroom and guest bedrooms. As the ship visits numerous exotic ports and locations, the owners can watch the World go with immediate accessibility with use of the ample veranda space.

The Bahama-flagged The World was launched over a decade ago at the Norwegian shipyard of Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder AS. She is capable of operating her twin 7,400HP direct injection turbo-charged engines from full ahead to full astern in just 50 seconds making her a highly manoeuvrable ship. The turbo-charged engines produce a speed of 18.7 knots.

The full programme of activity includes:

Saturday 1st June
Tall Ships from 11am to 6pm
Tug Boat Displays 2pm
Markets 11am to 6pm
Children's Funfair from 11am to 6pm
MV Cill Airne Open Day from 11am to 6pm
DJ and Competitions from 11am to 6pm
Rowing & Curragh Races from 11am to 6pm
Madigans Bar and Cafe from 11am to 6pm
Facepainters and Balloon Artists from 11am to 6pm

Sunday 2nd June
Tall Ships from 11am to 4pm
Tug Boat Displays 2pm
Markets 11am to 6pm
Children's Funfair from 11am to 6pm
MV Cill Airne Open Day from 11am to 6pm
DJ and Competitions from 11am to 6pm
Madigans Bar and Cafe from 11am to 6pm
Facepainters and Balloon Artists from 11am to 6pm
'Between the Bridges' - Old Gaffers Howth 17′s Sailing Race 2pm-4pm
Parade of Sail (Over 50 Gaffers and Tall Ships) at 4pm
98FM Roadcaster Sunday 19th May from 11am to 6pm

Monday 3rd June
Tug Boat Displays 2pm
Markets 11am to 6pm
Children's Funfair from 11am to 6pm
DJ and Competitions from 11am to 6pm
MV Cill Airne Open Day from 11am to 6pm
Rowing & Curragh Races from 11am to 6pm
Madigans Bar and Cafe from 11am to 6pm
Facepainters and Balloon Artists from 11am to 6pm
Old Gaffers Barbecue Poolbeg Yacht Club 6pm-late

All activities will take place between the Samuel Beckett Bridge and East Link Bridge.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí, today officially launched Dublin Port's first "Riverfest" – Ireland's new premier riverside and sailing festival. Taking place this June bank holiday weekend (Saturday 1st June to Monday 3rd June) along Dublin's historic North Wall Quay, thousands of visitors are expected to attend the three day festival of maritime and family friendly activities for both young and old.

Full Riverfest programme highights here.

Organised by Dublin Port Company and the Docklands Business Forum, a huge array of activities are planned for the three day festival, including the arrival of six tall ships, curragh and boat racing on the River Liffey, tug boat displays and a Parade of Sail of over 50 Gaffers and Tall Ships. The festival coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Old Gaffers' Association, and will feature a rare demonstration of skills with the Howth 17′s racing between the lifting East-Link Bridge and the Samuel Becket Bridge on Sunday 2nd June.

Not to be outdone by the water, land activities will also play an integral part of the festival, with something for everyone including street performers, music, cafés and bars, children's entertainment and carnival attractions lined up between the new Samuel Beckett Bridge and the East Link Bridge. Visitors and foodies alike will delight in a range of fresh and exciting food from local and artisan producers.

Launching Riverfest, The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí, said, "Festivals and events play a crucial role in showcasing Dublin and attracting visitors to the city. Riverfest will be one the biggest family friendly events in Dublin this summer, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and a fantastic celebration of Dublin's maritime heritage. I congratulate Dublin Port Company and the Docklands Business Forum on organising Riverfest. It promises to be a great weekend for Dubliners and visitors to the city."

Commenting, Eamonn O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company, said, "Dublin Port is an integral part of Dublin city life and we want to contribute positively to the city, the local economy and the lives of Dubliners. With a huge selection of entertainment and maritime displays planned over the June Bank Holiday weekend, Riverfest promises to be a fun and colourful event for all the family and I would encourage all Dubliners to come and join us on the North Wall Quay this bank holiday."

Speaking at the launch, Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson of Dublin Port Company, said, "Dublin Port Company's Masterplan sets out a clear vision as to how Dublin Port will develop over the next 30 years and integrating the port with the city is central to that vision. Riverfest is just one of a number of initiatives which brings this commitment to life, helping better integrate the port with the city and people of Dublin for an engaging celebration this weekend."