#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the EU Parliament agreed on the European budget for 2014-2020 of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) and for financial regulation.

Irish Ferries are to launch in 2014 a new direct passenger car ferry service linking Dublin with the French port of Cherbourg with the first sailing departing from Dublin Port on Saturday 18 January.

Irish shipping and port activity rose by 3% in Q3 of 2013 when compared to the corresponding period of 2012, according to the latest quarterly iShip Index and quarterly traffic review published by the IMDO.

The Competition Authority has published a study of competition in the ports sector in Ireland which found competition in port services could be improved.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where ESPO awarded  the Port of Antwerp for its project 'Heritage: the breadcrumbs trail between city and port'.

Stena Line had to delay the launch of a freight-only service on the Belfast-Liverpool (Birkenhead) due bad weather and to technical issues with the Stena Hibernia.

Arklow Marine Services, the shipbuilding yard celebrates successful completion of a €2.3m order with the launch of Gardian 18 for UK offshore wind farms.

Irish Ferries to boost capacity with a third vessel the ro-pax Epsilon on Dublin-Holyhead route. The ferry is due to enter service next weekend in competition with Stena Line in the run up to the festive period.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where a new freight operator, Channel Island Lines began trading with the return of Irish chartered cargo Huelin Dispatch.

Dublin Port Company published third quarter statistics volumes for 2013. In summary Q3 cargo volumes are: Imports +5.9%, Exports +4.1% equating to total volumes of +5.2%.

Next Tuesday (22 October) an 'Open Day' at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) is to be held between 10:00 to 15:00hrs. International shipping companies and maritime organisations will attend to provide information about maritime careers.

The European Commission met with transport stakeholders to discuss the way forward for the new TEN-T policy as well as its funding mechanism, the "Connecting Europe facility". The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) had welcomed imminent adoption of the new policy.

German operated Albatros became the final cruise caller to the Port of Cork's cruise season which was the busiest on record with 62 cruiseships carrying 123,000 passengers and crew.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where Arklow Shipping Ltd's newbuild Arklow Muse joins 'M' class sisters as part of a dry-cargo fleet of vessels.

As outlined by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) August was an uncharacteristically good month for ship-builders as many ship-owners took advantage of favourable pricing to invest heavily.

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament has recently had an exchange of view on the Commission Proposal for a Port Regulation, which was published in late May.

Lockout 1913 food relief ship S.S. Hare, which brought vital supplies from Liverpool to Dublin, was re-enacted by cargoship Ben Maye, which by coincidence is operated by the century old Ramsey Steamship Company.

Containership orders rise for the first eight months of 2013 have totaled 1.34m TEU, a 205% increase on the same period last year.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene, where shipping and port activity rose up 11% in the second quarter of 2013 when compared to the corresponding period of 2012.

Five European ports; Antwerp, Cartagena, Dover, Livorno and Olso have been selected for the shortlist of the European Sea Port Organisation's (ESPO) Award on Societal Integration of Ports.

Europe's Short-Sea operators are predicted by Dutch consultancy Bloem Doze Nienhuis to have another six years of struggle before returning to profitability by 2020.

Following the demise of Huelin Renouf Shipping in August, a new UK based company is planning to replace the freight service between the Channel Islands by operating an Irish-flagged cargoship.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where Irish Continental Group (ICG) released half-yearly financial report.

Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners reported an increase in shipping through the port by 27% over the past year leading to before tax profits of over £1.2m.

Dublin based CMI - Communications Management Institute received a 50% increase in applications on a new Diploma in Ports & Shipping Diploma.

The British Ports Association annual conference offers all the latest policy, practice and technology in ports and harbours throughout the UK and takes place on 9-10 October in Grimsby.

On this side of the Irish Sea the Irish Ports Association conference is on 27 September and held in Dublin. The host of this year's conference is the Dublin Port Company.

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where Ardmore Shipping Group purchased two 50,300 dwt eco-product tankers worth $68m / €50m from South Korean shipbuilders, SSP.

Irish exports could fall by €2.8 billion this year as earnings from pharmaceutical sales slip again, according to latest estimates.

Ardmore Shipping, the Cork based tanker group order another pair of newbuilds, of 37,000 dwt and of the IMO 2 eco-design chemical tankers to be built in South Korea.

The cargoship that grounded on a sandbank off Dublin Bay, Cielo di San Francisco, a 37,000dwt 'Handysize' dry-cargo bulker was refloated and firstly taken into Dublin Bay and then docked in the port.

Cielo di San Francisco was built as recently as 2011 and she is managed by Dublin based d'Amico Dry Ltd. The vessel was carrying animal feed and which sailed from New Orleans with an en route call to Cork Harbour.

Once again, Ardmore Shipping Group announced contracts for more newbuilds, on this occasion with four 25,000 Dwt IMO 2 eco-design product & chemical tankers.

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) entered into force on the 20 August. The Convention aims to achieve decent working and living conditions for the world's seafarers and to secure fair competition for quality shipowners.

Huelin Renouf Shipping, a freight-only company serving between the UK and Channel Islands has ceased trading and charter of Irish-flagged containership, Huelin Dispatch (2012/2,545grt) from Dundalk Shipping Ltd.

Belfast Harbour Company has embarked on a Port Master Plan for a period over the next 20-30 Years.

#ShippingReview: Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the Isle of Man based Ramsey Steamship Company could face closure in its centenary year.

Funding for a £81m renewable energy plant is to be built at Londonderry Harbour Commissioners lands at Lisahally.

A Government report cites that the state does not need to have it own oil refinery, which is located at Whitegate in lower Cork Harbour.

Billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien is behind an ambitious plan to make Dublin Port a hub for the maritime industry with an international shipping services centre (ISSC).

Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) revealed record operating profits, primarily on foot of increased shipping activity not seen since 2008.

Surge in Irish manufacturing as new export orders grew in July for the first time in five months.

Port companies will be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act in a new bill put forward by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ardmore Shipping has exercised their option for a pair of new product and chemical tankers from a South Korean shipyard.

#ShippingReview: Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the former detained 19,354 tonnes bulk-carrier Clipper Faith which was sold last month for €4.5m has been renamed Island Mariner.

A 4% drop in Irish exports last month was recorded according to preliminary figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

New harbour master appointed for Europe's most westerly harbour, Dingle Co. Kerry.

Dublin Port Company publish Annual Report & Accounts for 2012 following a presentation of by Minister for Transport Mr. Leo Varadker.

This year's Irish Ports Association Conference is to be hosted in the capital port and take place close to the Dublin Port Company HQ in the Gibson Hotel on 27 September.

European Court of Auditors (ECA) believe the Marco Polo rail programmes have been ineffective and should be discontinued in their current design.

As mentioned above, Island Mariner the re-flagged Liberian 29,501dwt bulk-carrier finally departed Dublin Port after arriving from the US just days before St. Patrick's Day.

US maritime consultancy firm Flagship Management chooses Kinvara for their EMEA HQ creating 15 jobs over the next three years.

#ShippingReview: Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where container market rates are unlikely to drop any further following average global rates falling to a 17-month low last month.

Port of Cork Company are to invest €3 million in new mobile crane plant equipment for the Ringaskiddy Deep-water Berth.

Rising prices for second-hand dry bulk vessels point to a turnaround in the industry.

The European Commission launched the 'Blue Belt' communication, which contains two concrete proposals that will contribute to establishing an internal market for maritime transport.