Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Shipping Review: Maersk’s Capital Debut, Ireland Launched & Dublin Dry-Dock Closes

30th April 2016
Historic day: Arklow Fame on Wednesday became the final ship to use Dublin Graving Docks (the largest in the republic) that officially closed yesterday Historic day: Arklow Fame on Wednesday became the final ship to use Dublin Graving Docks (the largest in the republic) that officially closed yesterday Credit: Photo Jehan Ashmore

#ShippingReview - Jehan Ashmore reviews the shipping scene over the last fortnight.

Containership Antwerp called to Dublin on Maersk Group’s first direct call to the capital on a new Seago Line operated UK-Ireland-Spain service.

The ship is a sister of Maersk Alabama which Somali pirates hijacked in 2009. The story was made into a film 'Captain Phillips' played by actor Tom Hanks.

M.V. Ireland launched in the Netherlands, has no connections with the Irish shipping industry, however the newbuild is noteworthy given the vessel is one of the first dry cargoships to be powered by (LNG) liquefied natural gas.

All “shippers” as from July 2016 must declare to the carrier in advance the verified weight of packed containers. 

Arklow Fame (90m) on Wednesday became the final ship to depart the country’s largest dry-dock (200m) in Dublin that officially closed yesterday. The unique strategic facility of Dublin Graving Docks Ltd had employed a skilled workforce of 26 at the Alexandra Basin site which is to be redeveloped.

The demise of the ship-repairer and engineering facility marks the end of a era in this chapter of the Irish maritime industry with the exception of Cork Dockyard,  now the largest in the state.

The 2,998 tonnes Arklow Fame, one of the smaller vessels to use Dublin dry-dock, has since Thursday berthed at the Bulk Jetty within Alexandra Basin. Cargo transported by train from Boliden Tara Mines (ore for zinc and lead) was loaded on board the leadship of 10 'F' class Spanish built sisters.

The cargoship yesterday departed for Odda, Norway.

Published in Ports & Shipping
Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button