#ShippingReview – Jehan Ashmore reviews the shipping scene over the last fortnight and where among the stories are outlined below.

At a Sino-Irish business seminar, director of the IMDO Liam Lacey spoke of the 'challenges and opportunities in the aviation and maritime leasing sectors and the implications for Ireland and China’.

Irish exports saw a hike of 20% to just over €111bn in 2015 boosted by the pharma and medical sectors, that drove the trade surplus to a record level.

Shannon Foynes Port Company tonnage throughput in 2015 almost reached the peak of the last decade and is evidence of a recovery taking hold in the regions.

The Department of Transport has issued details of new SOLAS requirements for the verification of the gross mass of shipping containers following concerns in the industry internationally over mis-declaration of container weights.

An Irish-owned ship was detained by Arab coalition forces on suspicion of smuggling arms to Yemen.

A trailing suction hopper dredger is kept busy clearing the shipping channel on Waterford Estuary between Belview Port and the open sea.