Irish Port and Shipping News

Newbuild Arklow Rambler, of the Eco-Trader 6,800dwt / ‘R’ series which Afloat tracked enter the Ems estuary this afternoon prior to heading to Emshaven, to begin sea trials in the North Sea. In the background the next newbuild in the series on the quayside at the Dutch shipyard of Royal Bodewes.

Arklow's Latest Newbuild Enters Dutch-German Estuary this Afternoon to Start Sea Trials

18th September 2023 Arklow Shipping

Two months after launching, Arklow Rambler the third of seven Eco-Traders cargoships was towed from a Dutch inland shipbuilder and is this afternoon bound for the open sea, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 104.93m length overall (LOA) dry-cargo ship built by…

The world’s first container vessel sailing on green methanol, Laura Mærsk was formally christened by her Godmother European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. At the historic name giving ceremony, Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla and CEO Vincent Clerc spoke at the ceremony, sharing insights from their journey towards decarbonisation and the work which still lies ahead as the giant Danish operator continues towards reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.

World’s First Methanol-Enabled Containership “Laura Mærsk” Is Named by EU Commission President

18th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel, Laura Mærsk was named by the EU Commission President at a ceremony held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The name for the Maersk Line's containership was revealed in the Port of Copenhagen on Thursday during a…

Abandonment places a terrible strain on seafarers and their families, from the uncertainty about when a loved one will return home to the financial chaos when a seafarer cannot leave a vessel to find work

Abandonment of Seafarers Increasing According to International Union

14th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The international seafarers’ trade union, Nautilus, says that abandonment of seafarers by shipowners is on the rise and that last year was the worst on record. At the end of 2022, according to an article in its magazine, Telegraph, 103…

Newest in the fleet, as Arklow Glen is laden with cargo when making a first call to the Port of Workington, the Irish Sea port in north-west England. Today, the short-sea trader is at Dublin Port and is next bound for London to a berth at Northfleet, downriver of the UK capital.

Newest of Arklow’s Dutch Short-Sea Trader's Calls to Ports on Both Sides of the Irish Sea

12th September 2023 Arklow Shipping

The newest dry-bulk cargoship of the fleet of Arklow Shipping Nederland B.V.,the Arklow Glen was observed arriving in Dublin Bay yesterday having picked up a pilot off the Baily Lighthouse, writes Jehan Ashmore. Registered in Rotterdam, the Dutch flagged newbuild is…

Captain John Pearn, pilot at the Port of Milford Haven, has been awarded a UK Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service. The Port is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

Top UK Maritime Honour Bestowed to South Wales Pilot at the Port of Milford Haven

12th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

On Merchant Navy Day (3rd Sept) the UK Government honoured Captain John Pearn with a Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service. This is the highest medal of honour within the maritime sector and it recognises John’s lifetime of service to…

LISW: Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) CEO Tom Chant said for the UK to maintain its position as a prime mover in marine autonomous system (MAS) it needs a clear pathway for growth and streamlining regulation. SMI is holding an event to discuss the future of the robotics sector on board THV Galatea, London this week at LISW, to register see details below.

Future of Marine Robotics Sector in UK to be Debated at London International Shipping Week (LISW)

12th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The UK’s voice of maritime engineering and marine science, the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), is staging an event aiming to galvanise the UK’s world leading marine robotics sector during London International Shipping Week. The event on this Thursday, 14th…

Cloghan Point has four large tanks which are currently used to store part of the Republic of Ireland’s strategic reserve of diesel and gas oil

Council Planners Approve Cloghan Point Oil Terminal Expansion Despite Sizeable Local Opposition

8th September 2023 Belfast Lough

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s planning committee have approved for expansion of a Belfast Lough oil terminal despite sizeable local opposition to the project, as BBC News reports. Cloghan Point has four large tanks which are currently used to…

After serving Arklow Shipping for more than 17 years, the ‘R’ series short-sea trader Arklow Rainbow of the Co. Wicklow ship-owner, has been sold to a rival Norwegian owner. Above is Afloat’s photo of Cork Harbour with the Naval Base, Haulbowline and in background the National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy and another former R series, Arklow Racer, which name was revived when given to a new R series /Eco-Trader cargoship from Dutch shipbuilders, Royal Bodewes from where this newbuild Afloat reported of its launch during the summer, noting a further four are to be completed as part of the seven strong ship series.

Arklow’s Remaining ‘R’ Series Quartet Reduced to Trio as Norwegian Rival Acquire Cargo Ship

6th September 2023 Arklow Shipping

During routine consultation of the Arklow Shipping website fleetlist, it was noted short of an ‘R’ series cargoship, which has led to identification of its new shipowner, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Arklow Rainbow until recently, was one of just a…

Mersey Maritime is hosting the ‘Mersey on the Thames‘ (as part of LISW) which is to be hosted by the UK Shadow Maritime Minister at the House of Commons.

Mersey Maritime Heads to the Thames at London International Shipping Week (LISW)

6th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

Mersey Maritime, a regional cluster organisation for the maritime industry in the Liverpool City Region and greater North West England, will be part of the forthcoming London International Shipping Week (LISW) of 11-15 September. This year, Mersey Maritime is hosting…

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the maritime agency of the United Nations, which is responsible for regulating shipping, is taking action in regard to noise from ships

International Maritime Organisation to Discuss Underwater Noise Problems

6th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

As shipping, recreational boating and energy exploration have increased along coastlines, offshore and in deep ocean environments, concern has been raised about the impact of noise from these activities. Research has established that such noise can travel long distances underwater,…

European Sea Ports Organisation welcomes the aim of Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan to ensure the EU can become an important player in production and supply of net-zero products

For Europe's Ports EU’s Net-Zero Industry Policy Should Look Both at Production and Supply Chains

5th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European SeaPorts Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the aim of the Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan to ensure that the European Union can become an important player in the production and supply of net-zero products and technologies and a competitive player…

A LoLo container vessel docked at an Irish port

Container Volumes at Irish Ports Fell Sharply in First Half of 2023 — But Encouraging Signs as Inflation Eases, IMDO Says

31st August 2023 Irish Ports

Volumes handled by the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and Lift-on/Lift-off (LoLo) cargo modes at Irish ports declined significantly in the first six months of 2023, according to a new report from the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO). When compared to the first…

Svitzer is to have the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell tug (MHFC) built in a project with Robert Allan Ltd as it enters a second phase to design the vessel, which represents a key step in Svitzer’s mission to lead the decarbonisation of towage services worldwide.

Joint Project between Svitzer and Robert Allan to Design World’s First Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell Tug

30th August 2023 Ports & Shipping

A leading global towage provider, Svitzer part of the Danish shipping giant, A.P. Moller-Maersk, has announced the launch of the second phase of its project to design the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell (MHFC) tug. Svitzer has conducted technical…

Arklow Raider, the Irish-flagged short-sea trader's bridge as seen during a night-time arrival to the UK port of Ipswich, where the performance of the east England port, reflects its key location of Suffolk and Essex is at the heart of agricultural region which is the ‘breadbasket’ of the UK. Afloat tracked this week the 4,504dwt dry-cargo ship, to the port having sailed from Terneuzen, the Netherlands and the vessel is currently at Tilbury on the Thames estuary, where adjacent to the river berth is a fleetmate, Arklow Crest from Les Sables-d'Olonne, France.

Port of Ipswich is UK Number One for Export of Agricultural Products

25th August 2023 Ports & Shipping

The UK's largest ports operator, Associated British Ports (ABP) which includes the Port of Ipswich, has retained its place as the number one export port for agricultural products for the 18th year in a row. This sees the North Sea…

The rock salt from Irish Salt Mining’s mine in Carrickfergus is loaded at nearby Kilroot Jetty on the northern shore of Belfast Lough and shipped directly to Peel Ports Group's Clydeport new storage facility (above) at the King George V Docks. The mine in Co. Antrim which produces the de-icing road salt is to support the maintenance of Scotland’s road networks over the coming winters.

Irish Salt Mining Company and Peel Ports Group Joint Investment Sees Completion of Road De-Icing Salt Storage Facility

21st August 2023 Ports & Shipping

The Irish Salt Mining Company which is a longstanding customer of Clydeport owner, Peel Ports Group, have in a joint multi-million pound investment completed construction of a de-icing salt storage facility at the Scottish port's King George V Dock. The…

Final call for entries of the Mersey Maritime industry awards which this year will be the ninth such event which takes place in November

Mersey Maritime: Final Call for Entries of Ninth Annual Industry Awards

17th August 2023 Ports & Shipping

Across the Irish Sea, Mersey Maritime, the regional cluster organisation for the maritime industry in the Liverpool City Region and the greater North West, has put out the final call for entries for its ninth annual industry awards. Now recognised…