Irish Port and Shipping News

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…

In this scene is the public viewing spectacle at the launch of Arklow Ranger at a Dutch shipyard last year, to today’s completion of a maiden voyage by the 6,800dwat cargo ship to the Norwegian port at Glomfjord which is within the Arctic Circle.

Arklow Ranger Makes Maiden Voyage Across North Sea to Norwegian Fjord Port Within the Arctic Circle

16th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

The newest Irish flagged merchant ship, Arklow Ranger has made its maiden voyage from The Netherlands to Norway as the newbuild dry-cargo ship arrived this afternoon into the Arctic Circle, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Ranger departed the Dutch north-east port…

Alpha Marine’s newly acquired multicat AMS Retriever, built by Damen Shipyard to their 2309 series is pictured recently in Rotterdam. The addition, AFLOAT adds follows that of a tug/workboat of the same name which is no longer part of the Wicklow based fleet.

Wicklow Based Alpha Marine Acquire A Damen Shipyard Built Multicat

16th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

Wicklow Port based multi-disciplinary marine company, Alpha Marine has acquired a Damen Shipyard built multi-cat of their 2309 design, which had been operating in the Netherlands. The purchase of the multicat from Purus HST of Swansea, Wales, was concluded in mid-December…

WEC Lines B.V. has introduced a new direct service between the Port of Liverpool and Agadir, Morocco (via Spain, Portugal & Canaries), so to improve importing fresh produce to the UK, notably tomatoes from the north African nation. Afloat highlights that only last year, WEC based in Rotterdam, celebrated its fifth decade, trading short-sea and deep-sea. Above WEC’s Van Eyk at the Portuguese port of Leixões which is part of the UK-Iberian-Africa liner service.

Liverpool Sees New Morocco, Africa Service as WEC Lines Add Call Boosting Trade in Tomatoes to UK

14th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

Shipping operator, WEC Lines this month is introducing a new direct service between Liverpool and Agadir in Morocco, offering a fast and green alternative for fresh produce importers when compared to overland trucking. According to the Port of Liverpool, the…

Last year the Port of Galway handled 500,259 tonnes of cargo, a notably highlight was a strong boost in growth from ships transporting inbound components to complete onshore based wind projects. Above ships offshore of the port where AFLOAT adds, the next scheduled arrival with wind-turbine components is 26 January, on board Wilson Rotterdam, operated by Norwegian ship-owner, Wilson AS of Bergen.

Port of Galway Hits Turnover of €6m as Benefits of Wind Projects Blow Ashore

14th January 2024 Ports & Shipping

Turnover rose to almost €6m last year at the Port of Galway, following strong growth in shipping operations linked to transporting inbound components used for onshore based wind projects. The revenue generated by the port, recently awarded European TEN-T status,…