#Ports&Shipping - A Maltese flagged bulk-carrier berthed in Belview, the Port of Waterford's main terminal to discharge 15,000 tonnes of fertiliser, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Taizhou Pioneer (32,453dwt) arrived from Avonmouth (Port of Bristol) on the Severn Estuary on Sunday. The 2011 built bulker though had loaded the urea fertiliser initially in Africa, remains in port to enable completion of discharging the cargo. The ship's next port of call is to be Rouen, another estuary port on the River Seine, France.

On arrival into the Irish estuary, Afloat identified from photo above a local tug, the Bargarth, been familiar from previous port visits. The tug assisted the180m long Taizhou Pioneer alongside the berth at Belview. At this downriver location to the City of Waterford, is the south-east port's main terminal at Belview, Co. Kilkenny. The terminal also caters for container traffic.

Bargarth, given its name is a clue to the 225grt tug origins having been ordered to UK towage firm Cory & Son Ltd, which remained until a takeover in 2000. The tug entered service for Forth Tugs and has been renamed twice before resuming the current name.  

Operating the 67net ton tug these days is in the hands of Fastnet Shipping Limited. The marine services and vessel chartering company based in Bilberry is located next to Waterford's City's Rice Lift-Bridge. The city centre's only river crossing opens for navigation heading upriver on the River Suir. 

During the Tall Ships Races, which the Port of Waterford hosted in 2011, it was during the 'Parade of Sail' held in glorious conditions, that Bargarth was notably recalled. The tug's water hoses were put on for display which added to the occasion of the sailing spectacle. 

The tug is nearly 40 years in service as the launch took place in 1979 at the Firth of Clyde shipyard of Scott & Co, Bowling in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.