#ShippingReview – Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported on the shipping scene, where the longest cargoship ever to dock in Drogheda Port, Rusich-5 at over 420ft berthed under the shadow of the railway viaduct.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is to introduce added freight capacity later this month as previously reported on Afloat.ie, on the Douglas-Heysham route with the 84 unit ro-ro Arrow on bare-boat charter from Seatruck Ferries.

Galway Port's ambitious expansion plans as reported earlier this year on Afloat.ie, faced objections from Limerick – as a Galway TD accused Shannon Foynes Port of trying to 'torpedo' his city's plans.

Containership Arslan II (1991/3,125grt) that grounded on Arklow Bank in January, and causing damage to her rudder, finally departed Dublin Port more than two months later and sailed to Turkey, from where it is understood that further repairs are to take place.

Seatruck Ferries are to introduce a larger P-class ro-ro vessel on the Dublin Port-Heysham service with the 110-unit vessel replacing the 84-unit Arrow as referred above.

First quarter figures for 2014 show Dublin Port Company is showing signs of accelerating cargo volumes with imports (+8.5%), exports (+12.1%) and in total volumes are up by 10.0%.

Veteran vessel, Hebble Sand, a humble dredger still remains in service for more than half a century and retains her original name despite her launch in 1963. This week she was working on the Boyne for the port of Drogheda.