Irish Port and Shipping News

IMDO To Marine Transport: ‘ACT Now & Prepare to Switch’ Before Brexit

19th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

‘ACT now and Prepare to Switch’ — that’s the message to the logistics and maritime transport sectors from the IMDO as the prospect of a disorderly Brexit looms. The two-part strategy for stakeholders begins with ACT, or Assess, Communicate, Trial.…

The issue was raised during a meeting this morning of the EU-UK Joint Committee. Above Afloat adds it the Port of Larne, the busy Co. Antrim ferryport where the service to Cairnryan, Scotland is the shortest sea-route between N.I and Britain.

European Union Seeks Staff at Ports to Ensure Implementation of Northern Ireland Protocol

19th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

The EU is seeking to have 15 customs and veterinary staff working alongside UK officials at ports and Belfast Airport to ensure the proper implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, RTÉ News understands. In return, the EU would drop an…

This online conference and workshop aims to explore the key role played by Ireland’s ports, coastal communities and maritime sector in its membership of the EU

EU & Ireland's Ports, Coasts & Maritime Sector Conference Announced

19th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

During the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, there was, rightly, a great deal of focus in public debate on the issues confronting Ireland’s border communities. On 20 November 2020, the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies (IACES)…

Maersk Line, the world's largest operator in container shipping is to cut 2,000 jobs. AFLOAT today tracked the line's Maersk Niamey of 2,592TEU (nominal) arrival at the Port of Cork following a trans-Atlantic route from Puerto Moin, Costa Rica in central America. Cork is part of Maersk's 'CRX - Southbound" service which connects Ireland with other Latin American destinations. The ship's next port of call is the UK at the London Container Terminal at Tilbury. Cork along with Dublin (above photo) and Belfast is also served by Maersk 'feeder' services to mainland Europe.

World's Largest Container Line to Cut 2,000 Jobs in Logistics Restructure

14th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

Shipping container giant, Maersk revealed that it will make around 2,000 staff redundant due to changes to the organisation linked to the integration of Damco into its Ocean Logistics business and the removal of the separate Safmarine brand, which it…

Dmitri Jelezoglo student of NMCI presented with the award by Captain Dermot Gray

Irish Institute of Master Mariners Present Award to Student of NMCI

14th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Irish Institute of Master Mariners (IIMM) presented the annual Don Curtis Award to a student of the National Maritime College of Ireland. Sponsored by the IIMM the award was presented by Captain Dermot Gray, the Institute's President to student…

Maritime digital training firm Tapiit Live launches a new seafarer mental health live training package in advance of World Mental Health Day (tommorrow, 10th October). Among the issues facing seafarers according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) figures estimate that as many as 300,000 seafarers each month will require international flights to enable crew changeovers. Additionally, around 70,000 cruise ship staff are currently waiting for repatriation.

Maritime Digital Firm Launches New Seafarer Mental Health Live Training Package

9th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

Seafarers left stranded by the coronavirus pandemic and facing other challenges is where a UK headquartered maritime tech training company is launching a new package of mental health courses for those working at sea. The launch by Liverpool based Tapiit Live…

Brexit 'Freeports': Logistics UK welcomes the move to offer ‘an ambitious customs model, measures to speed up planning processes, and a commitment to geographic flexibility and opportunities for all transport modes’. Above AFLOAT's photo of a hazy Humber Estuary (Killingholme) on the North Sea. On the right Delphine which in 2018 joined sister Celine dubbed the 'Brexit-Buster' on Ireland-mainland Europe services of Dublin-Belgium/Netherlands. On the left another ro-ro freight-ferry Stena Scotia currently operates on the Irish Sea between Belfast and Heysham, England. In the foreground heading upriver the 70 bollard pull tonnes tug Svitzer Laura.

New Plans for UK's Brexit 'Freeports' Outlined

7th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

In the UK the government has set out further details today around how it plans to create a number of new “innovative” freeports across the UK in a bid to “drive investment and create jobs” after the end of the…

British Ports Asociation has welcomed the UK Government’s new Port Infrastructure Fund for borders infrastructure, which will now be be allocated on a grant basis

British Ports Association Welcomes £200m ‘Brexit’ Port Fund Infrastructure

5th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

UK port representatives have welcomed a £200m (US$250m) government fund launched last Friday to boost the nation's port infrastructure to prepare for the end of the UK’s transition period from the EU at the end of this year, but warned…

Liverpool, the UK north-west port operated by Peel Ports has welcomed OOCL's move to operate from the riverside terminal on the UK-Canada service. Above AFLOAT adds is OOCL St. Lawrence berthed at the Irish Sea's largest container facility at Liverpool2 located on Merseyside and adjoining Liverpool Docks.

Containership Giant Moves to Liverpool2 For Europe-Canada Service

5th October 2020 Ports & Shipping

Containership operator Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) in the UK is to move its Liverpool operations for its Europe-Canada trade to the port’s deepwater container terminal Liverpool2. The new vessel [to the route] has a capacity 67% greater than the…

RoRo freight ferries Afloat adds occupy berths in the UK at the Port of Heysham on the Irish Sea

UK Government's £200m Port Infrastructure Fund Opens for Bids

2nd October 2020 Ports & Shipping

The UK government today is ramping up its preparations for the end of the transition period with the launch of a £200 million fund for ports to build new facilities. Government launches the Port Infrastructure Fund to build new facilities…

As many as 400,000 seafarers are unable to leave ships worldwide because of Covid 19 travel restrictions in various countries

Seafarers Stranded on Ships Worldwide Could Affect Global Supply Chain

30th September 2020 Ports & Shipping

A serious emerging problem which could affect essential food and other supplies is not being dealt with according to the biggest shipping companies in the world. The International Chamber of Shipping has asked the United Nations to intervene after releasing…

The new ship, 2015 built Mainport Geo is 50 m LOA

Cork-Based Shipping Company Mainport Enters Offshore Wind & Research Markets

28th September 2020 Cork Harbour

Cork based shipping company, Irish Mainport Holdings, has announced its entry into the Offshore Wind Sector with its investment in a 50-metre Survey and Research Ship, the Mainport Geo, and at the same time buying a share of Wicklow based…

British Ports Association says decarbonisation, innovation, infrastructure, freeports and properly functioning and resourced regulators are key asks for future UK government spending. Above AFLOAT adds is the Liverpool Docks and in the distance the red gantry cranes on Merseyside, where container terminal 'Liverpool2' opened in recent years.

British Ports Association Sets Out UK Government Spending Priorities

25th September 2020 Ports & Shipping

The British Ports Association (BPA) outlines that decarbonisation, innovation, infrastructure, freeports and properly functioning and resourced regulators are key asks for future government spending, which the association set out in a letter to the UK Chancellor from the ports industry…

World Maritime Day is underway today with events globally to highlight this year's theme of 'Sustainable' Shipping

Today is World Maritime Day 2020 – Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet

24th September 2020 Ports & Shipping

Today is World Maritime Day which the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the global maritime community have come together to celebrate the annual event. The 2020 theme is "Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet". 2020 saw everyone across the globe…

ESPO - “For European ports, there is no time to waste, no money to waste. We must invest in technologies that are used, that deliver both in terms of decarbonisation and air quality and that deliver in emissions reductions both during navigation and at berth”

ESPO Calls for FuelEU Maritime that Clearly Sets Out Innovation & Investments in Maritime Sector

22nd September 2020 Ports & Shipping

Ongoing discussions on the future of FuelEU Maritime Initiative has led the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) to express the commitment of European ports is to play their part in helping the shipping sector decarbonise. The full ESPO position on…

The movement of goods into Northern Ireland from Britain is a key sticking point. Above the VT2 terminal at the Port of Belfast.

UK Government to Pay for Northern Ireland Brexit Port Controls after Minister Proposed Halting Work

17th September 2020 Ports & Shipping

In the UK the Government, according to Belfast Telegraph, is set to pay for work on post-Brexit port checks in Northern Ireland, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has said. The DUP MLA told the BBC that the UK Government would now…