Irish Port and Shipping News

Gerardo Landaluce Calleja, Isabelle Ryckbost, Cédric Virciglio, Ansis Zeltiņš (new chair of ESPO) and Zeno d'Agostino

Ansis Zeltiņš, Port of Riga's CEO Elected as New Chair of the European Sea Ports Organisation

7th November 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisations (ESPO)’s General Assembly today unanimously elected Ansis Zeltiņš as its new Chair. Mr Zeltiņš has been CEO of the Freeport of Riga Authority since 2017 and has been involved in the maritime industry for 20…

A newbuild hybrid survey /ROV support ship for Mainport will be used on a long-term charter when completed by a Dutch shipyard and be operational within the first quarter of 2026. AFLOAT has examined the newbuild specifications, with the vessel to be 498 gross tons and accommodation for 26 of which 7 are crew members.

Irish Mainport Holdings Sign Long Term Charter for Newbuild Hybrid Survey /ROV Support Ship

6th November 2024 Ports & Shipping

Cork based Irish Mainport Holdings have signed a long term charter with a new customer, N-Sea for the provision of a newbuild hybrid survey and ROV support vessel, writes Jehan Ashmore. Ongoing discussions of recent months between Mainport and N-Sea…

Ocean Battler on returning from a Dutch port, called via the UK to tow jack-up barge Admiral 1 as seen when underway in Plymouth, Cornwall from where both the Irish based craft crossed the Celtic Sea since Tuesday. They arrived back to domestic waters last night and after waiting off Killiney Bay this morning, at time of writing, are slowly heading towards Dublin Port to arrive this afternoon.

Irish Marine Firms Engaged in Work Abroad Involve Towage Activities in the English Channel

1st November 2024 Ports & Shipping

Atlantic Marine & Towage’s 20.8-ton bollard pull Ocean Battler, based in Co. Cork, has departed Plymouth, Cornwall, with a jack-up barge in tow that is bound for Dublin Port today, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Ocean Battler, based at its owner’s…

File image of a container ship at an Irish port

Consultation on Proposed Northeast Atlantic Emission Control Area

26th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

The Department of Transport is proposing to join with other interested states to progress the adoption of a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in early 2025. This new ECA…

At the GreenPort Congress this morning, ESPO released its 2024 Environmental Report, spotlighting key sustainability trends in European ports.

Climate Change More than Ever a Priority for Europe’s Ports - As ESPO Launch Environment Report

24th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) this morning unveiled its annual ESPO Environmental Report 2024 - EcoPortsinSights 2024 during the GreenPort Congress hosted by Haropa Port in Le Havre, France. ESPO's Environmental Report is a cornerstone of the EcoPorts initiative,…

A team from the Port of Milford Haven was at a Dutch boatbuilder for an official keel-laying ceremony, which marks the start of construction on the South Wales port’s new 22m pilot boat.

Keel-Laying Ceremony for Port of Milford Haven's New 22m Pilot Transfer Vessel Takes Place at Dutch Yard

17th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

The Port of Milford Haven in south Wales has celebrated a significant milestone with the keel-laying ceremony for its new 22-metre pilot transfer vessel. Currently the newbuild is being constructed for the Pembrokeshire port in the Netherlands by Next Generation…

Participants in the Green Marine Europe environmental certification programme, include those from 2023 shipyards, which have since achieved a first year of certification. This has since seen three yards acquire a more precise vision of measures to be deployed to reduce their environmental impact.

Environmental Programme of Green Marine Europe Gains Impact with Inclusion of Certified Shipyards

15th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

An environmental certification programme, Green Marine Europe (GME) dedicated to the maritime industry, unveiled its fifth annual performance report today. The report followed a half-day of discussions, organized in Brussels, Belgium around the industry’s environmental transition and its financing. 66…

The parent company of P&O Ferries, DP World, was set to shelve a major £1bn investment to expand their London Gateway container port over criticism of the ferry subsidiary by the UK Transport Secretary.

DP World’s £1bn Port Investment Announced at UK Summit after Minister’s Row Over P&O Ferries

14th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

The giant port and logistics firm, DP World has revealed a £1 billion plan to expand the London Gateway Port container terminal at the UK Government’s International Investment Summit held today. The major announcement for the port, 25 miles downriver…

Containership JSP Mistral alongside the new £25m ship-to-shore cranes at the Port of Greenock which were delivered from Cork to the Scottish port on the Clyde earlier this year.

Irish-Built New £25m Ship-to-Shore Cranes Officially Launched in Port of Greenock Scotland

10th October 2024 Ports & Shipping

On the Clyde is where the Port of Greenock has officially unveiled its new £25m ship-to-shore cranes, which were manufactured by Liebherr at their Irish plant in Fossa, Co. Kerry. The investment boosts productivity at the Scottish port, whose owner…

The newest cargo ship, Arklow Rover, is the seventh and final Eco-Trader of the 6,800dwt series, is seen under tow from its Dutch inland shipyard prior to its recent delivery to the Irish shipowner.

Latest Newbuild for Arklow Shipping is Delivered with Passage Between Dutch and Danish Ports

4th October 2024 Arklow Shipping

With autumn in progress, so too is the newest Eco-Trader, the Arklow Rover, which, having been launched in July, was delivered recently to Arklow Shipping Ltd, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Rover marks the final of the seven-strong 6,800 dwt /…

The ‘ro-ro’ based freight fleet of CLdN as demonstrated above by Mazarine with its vehicle ramp, is set to see a major change as a large order for 10 ‘lo-lo’ container-carrier ships is placed in South Korea, Asia. The newbuilds are to be delivered from January 2027.

Ro-Ro Operator CLdN Make Major Change By Placing Large Order for 10 'Lo-Lo' Container Carriers

1st October 2024 Ports & Shipping

The predominantly ro-ro based freight operator CLdN has confirmed a placement of an order for 10 newbuild load-on / load-off (lo-lo) container vessels with delivery as from January 2027. Such a large order is a decisive step by the Luxembourg…

ESPO and FEPORT call for a mandatory, EU-wide tax exemption on onshore power supply (OPS) in the revised Energy Taxation Directive. This exemption is crucial to reduce emissions, promote greener shipping, and meet the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) goals. A level playing field across Member States will ensure ships switch to OPS and support maritime decarbonisation.

Call for Mandatory EU-Wide Tax Exemption on Onshore Power Supply (OPS) of Revised Energy Taxation Directive

26th September 2024 Ports & Shipping

Both the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and the Federation of European Private Port Companies and Terminals (FEPORT) have fully supported the European Green Deal ambition. For the two European associations, it is important that a reviewed energy taxation policy…

Today is World Maritime Day (26 Sept) of the IMO, and this year the global maritime community marks 50 years of the international ship safety treaty.The event is observed to highlight the importance of maritime safety, security, and protection of the marine environment. Afloat highlights the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations for maritime.

World Maritime Day 2024 Anchors Focus on Theme of "Navigating the Future: Safety First!"

26th September 2024 Ports & Shipping

Today is World Maritime Day (of the IMO) which will highlight the importance of safety at sea in an era of significant transformations and new risks. Fifty years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life…

Bulk-carrier Lowlands Future with its record breaking cargo of maize which was unloaded at the Port of Liverpool, having crossed the Atlantic Ocean from a US east coast port.

Port of Liverpool Welcomes Record-Breaking Whole Maize Shipment to the UK

21st September 2024 Ports & Shipping

At the Port of Liverpool on the Irish Sea, which is part of the Peel Ports Group, the port welcomed the UK’s largest shipment of feed maize. The record breaking shipment of 55,000 tonnes of maize was transported by the…

CLdN’s ro-ro freight ferry Celine (above in Dublin Bay) and twin Delphine, the largest in a 30 strong fleet, operate routes among them Ireland-mainland Europe. Two larger ‘Hybrid’ newbuilds from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, South Korea, are to enter service in 2025. They will have 2 conventional main engines as well as 2 electric propulsion motors of 6MW each. In full electric mode, the 8,000 freight lane metre twins will cruise at 16–17 knots. Compared with the older twins, they will further reduce GHG emissions by 40% while having the same cargo capacity.

CLdN to Offer Customers With Improved Short Sea CO2 Fleet Efficiency

20th September 2024 Ports & Shipping

Short sea freight ro-ro /lo-lo operator Compagnie Luxembourgouise de Navigation (CLdN), which includes Ireland-mainland Europe links, has published its fleet emission data for 2023. According to data, CLdN’s weighted average fleet emissions were 39g CO2/tonne-km. CLdN claimed this was 19%…

Port of Plymouth has strengthened the West Wharf, a critical component of ABP’s ongoing £23m investment in upgrading infrastructure at Millbay Docks, which will help secure the long-term future of the Ferry Terminal. Its main customer, AFLOAT adds, is Brittany Ferries, operating to Santander, Spain, and Roscoff, from where the flagship Pont-Aven (as above at the UK port) also operates a seasonal service connecting France and Cork, which continues until November.

Upgrade at Plymouth's Millbay Docks See ABP Complete West Wharf Works for Ferries & Cruise Ships

11th September 2024 Ports & Shipping

The Port of Plymouth, part of Associated British Ports (ABP), has announced the completion of a significant phase of works at the south- west England port's Millbay Docks. The works at Millbay Docks which for over 50 years have been…