Irish Port and Shipping News

Stakeholders in the Maritime and Port Industry today welcome the EU parliament (IMCO) vote to adopting its report on the reform of the Union Customs Code (UCC).

Maritime & Port Industry Welcome IMCO Vote on UCC Reform to Urge for a Further Secure, Smart, Safe Competitive Customs Union

22nd February 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) has today adopted its report on the reform of the Union Customs Code (UCC). This core economic legislation determines the efficiency, resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s external border for trade. More than…

Another of Arklow Shipping’s oldest ‘R’ class cargo ships, Arklow Rogue has been sold to Norwegian operator Wilson ASA, noting AFLOAT highlights, historically the class originally 16-strong, represent the largest same-ship series ever ordered by an Irish shipowner. Above, a fellow R class, Arklow Resolve (name revived for ASL’s ‘newest’ next generation R class) in this rare scene from 2017 of the cargo ship (since sold) in layover mode in Dublin’s ‘Docklands’ financial quarter, where no merchant ships have regularly traded upriver for over 30 years, since the Guinness stout ships, but with recent plans to attempt to Resolve the capital’s chronic quay road traffic, some have proposed reviving the Guinness barges to transport the black stuff from St. James Gate downriver to the ferryport.

Another Remaining Arklow Shipping Cargo Ship of the Older ‘R’ Class Joins Norwegian Rival Wilson

20th February 2024 Arklow Shipping

One of Arklow Shipping Ltd's oldest cargo ships of the first ‘R’ class, Arklow Rogue with almost 24 years service, has been sold to Norwegian rival Wilson ASA with around 130 ships is Europe's largest short-sea operator, writes Jehan Ashmore. During…

The latest IMDO Unitised Traffic Report shows that overall, unitised volumes, which encompasses both RoRo and LoLo markets, were below trend in Q4 2023, and have stagnated throughout the year. Above AFLOAT’s photo captured a containership which regularly operates a short-sea feeder service linking the Irish ports of Dublin, Waterford, Cork and mainland Europe.

Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) Publish Unitised Traffic Report for Q4 2023

14th February 2024 Ports & Shipping

The latest Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) Unitised Traffic Report for Q4 2023 has been published with an Executive Summary below. As part of the Marine Institute, the IMDO is Irelands' dedicated, development, promotional and marketing office for the shipping…

As part of Smurfit Kappa Group’s global operations, is in Europe, where giant paper reels AFLOAT adds, are loaded on board Sto-Ro carrier vessels serving in the Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea and North Sea which involves a ro-ro liner service starting in Sweden, linking Germany, UK, Netherlands and Germany. The Sto-Ro vessels are time-chartered to Smurfit Kappa, through Wagenborg Shipping, Sweden A.B. a subsidiary of Dutch world-wide operator, Royal Wagonborg.

Volumes at Smurfit Kappa Group Return to Growth for Q4, 2023

7th February 2024 Ports & Shipping

Smurfit Kappa, Europe’s largest paper packaging producer has said today that it has increased volumes in the fourth quarter for last year. As RTE News reports the increase has snapped three successive quarterly declines that led to a 12% drop…

For Europe’s ports, the main and first worry about the Commission’s proposal is a drastic reduction of the period for the temporary storage from the current 90 to 3 days.

Ports Welcome European Parliament's Support for Restoring the 90 Day Temporary Storage Period

5th February 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Parliament is currently discussing the Commission's proposal for a new EU Regulation on the Union Customs Code. While supporting the aims of the customs reform to significantly improve the efficiency of the customs procedures in the EU, the…

The agreement see Peel Ports Logistics support the arrival of all Drax's ships into the Port of Liverpool importing biomass, which has included above the bulk-carrier Aikaterini.

Peel Ports Logistics Agrees Vessel Agency Deal in Liverpool for Renewable Energy Operator Drax

5th February 2024 Ports & Shipping

Peel Ports Logistics has signed a deal to become renewable energy specialist Drax’s new shipping agency service provider for vessels arriving to Liverpool importing biomass. The leading shipping and freight forwarder will support the arrival of all Drax’s ships from…

Several key maritime organisations and WaterborneTP have jointly organised the EU Innovation Fund infoday for the waterborne transport sector, to highlight financial support needed to progress as fast as possible the zero-emission pathway.

InfoDay: EU Innovation Fund is Key to Support the Transition to Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport

2nd February 2024 Ports & Shipping

CLIA Europe, ECSA, ESPO, FEPORT, SEA Europe and WaterborneTP have jointly organised the EU Innovation Fund infoday for the waterborne transport sector, co-organised by the European Commission. Approximately 300 participants from the broader waterborne transport sector (private and public stakeholders)…

Minister Chambers Signs MOU With Ukraine for Mutual Recognition of Seafarers Certificates

1st February 2024 Ports & Shipping

Minister Jack Chambers, on behalf of Ireland, concluded and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ukraine on Thursday (1 February) for the mutual recognition of seafarers’ qualifications. This MOU is an update of the existing arrangement wherein Ireland recognised…

Busy times for Arklow Shipping, as two shipyards in the Netherlands, and only several kms apart, launched a newbuild each and also on the same day. Arklow Grace as above prior to launch at Shipyard Ferus Smit, Westerbroek, while Arklow Resolve also that morning entered the same canal alongside Royal Bodewes yard at Hoogezand.

Grace Is Arklow Shipping’s Newest G-Class Cargo-Ship

30th January 2024 Arklow Shipping

Newbuild Arklow Grace, the fourth of Arklow Shipping's G-class cargo ship's launched in the Netherlands, took place on the same day when another vessel for the Irish shipowner also first took to the water, writes Jehan Ashmore. At the shipyard of…

Fine Gael MEP Calls for EU Investment in Irish Ports for Renewable Energy Support

29th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

A Fine Gael MEP has called for EU investment in Irish ports to support development of renewable energy. Midlands-North-West MEP Colm Markey warned that Ireland cannot achieve energy security, and consumers will continue to face unpredictable energy costs unless there’s…

Making a splash, Arklow Resolve takes to the waterway at Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes, as the fifth Eco-Trader is launched out of seven 6,800dwt capacity cargo-ships.

Fifth Eco-Trader for Arklow Shipping Launched with Just Two More Newbuilds to Go

29th January 2024 Arklow Shipping

Once again Arklow Shipping has had Dutch shipbuilder, Royal Bodewes launch an Eco-Trader of their 6,800dwt design series, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Resolve with a newbuild no. (NB: 825) at the Hoogezand yard, near Groningen, is were the launch on…

New Brexit Paperwork: Firms in Ireland will be required to have pre-lodge customs declarations ahead of shipping their products to Britain from the end of this month.

Introduction of New Brexit-Related Import Controls to Be In Force Effective End of January

19th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

Businesses throughout Ireland that are involved in goods exported to or through the UK, have been urged to ensure that they are fully aware and be prepared for the Brexit-related import controls. The new customs measures (click to consult) are…

European Parliament Votes in Favour of European Port Strategy

19th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to present a European port strategy by the end of 2024. A report approved today by the parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg highlights the risk of economic dependence, espionage and sabotage, while…

Growing concerns of instability on Red Sea commercial shipping could affect Irish supply chains for months as close to 20% of global trade transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Shipping in the Red Sea Sees Irish Exporters Advised to Engage with Freight Carriers

18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

Disruption to shipping in the Red Sea has led to Irish export businesses being advised to engage with their freight carriers and look at their supply chains as the situation in the Middle East region continues. Due to attacks by…

Red Sea: European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) fully supports the safety concerns of shipping lines, emphasising the need to protect crews and vessels. The situation raises substantial worries for Europe's ports, causing disruptions in the supply chain and jeopardising just-in-time deliveries to certain industries. The attacks are disrupting traffic through the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway and the fastest shipping route between Asia and Europe, which has led to re-routing, adding 3,000-3,500 nautical miles, extending the voyage by 8 to 15 days, depending on the shipping segment.

Europe's Ports Express Concern on Impacts of Escalating Conflict in the Red Sea

18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

After the serious attacks on ships, mainly, but not only container ships, in the Red Sea by the Houthi movement, has led to shipping lines in deciding to redirect their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. The…

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has highly welcomed the EU Parliament’s recognition of and support for the strategic and vital role that Europe’s ports play for European society and economy. In a vote took on the Berendsen report, this was adopted with 585 in favour, 21 against and 26 abstentions.

ESPO Welcomes EU Parliament’s Recognition of Support for Strategic & Comprehensive Role of Europe’s Ports

18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

The European Parliament officially adopted the Berendsen report, an own-initiative report on “building a comprehensive European Port Strategy” following yesterday's vote: (585 in favour, 21 against and 26 abstentions). In response, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) highly welcomes the…