#Ports&ShippingReview – Over the last fortnight, Jehan Ashmore has reported on the shipping scene where among the stories covered was that of Finnlines acquisition of ro-ro freighter Dorset from Cobelfret, which spent a brief spell late last year on their Irish operations.
The 225th anniversary of Drogheda Port Company was marked last month as the origins of the port date to 19th of April 1790 when the very first board meeting was held in the town's Tholsel.
At 290 feet in length, Wilson Dublin became the largest ever ship to berth at the pier in Dingle Harbour from where 3,500 tonnes of stone chipping was loaded from Corca Dhuibhne quarry for the UK roads construction sector. The cargoship sailed to London to discharge at Gravesend on the Thames.
The IMDO released the annual Irish Maritime Transport Economist report that showed in 2014, port volume increases of more than 2%, as measured by the iShip Index*, tracking Ireland's economic recovery.
Commenting on the reports traffic figures IMDO Director Liam Lacey said, "Irish ports coped comfortably with the growth recorded in 2014. Total volumes have not yet reached the levels recorded prior to the economic downturn in 2007 and at 914 points, port traffic remains more than 12% behind the high-water mark of 1,042 points recorded in 2007.
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD will 'shortly' publish a new ports Bill to transfer to local authorities control of five Ports of Regional Significance – Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow. Details of the enactment of this Bill represent an important milestone in National Ports Policy.
