Irish Port and Shipping News

Artist’s impression of the Stena NewMax methanol-fuelled RoRo ferry

Finnish Marine Tech Firm Wärtsilä to Power Belfast’s NewMax Methanol Ferries

25th September 2023 Stena Line

Finnish marine tech firm Wärtsilä has been contracted to power what are being touted as the world’s first methanol-fuelled hybrid RoRo vessels currently being built for service across the Irish Sea. The company will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system…

Jobs losses: Management at the Port of Liverpool have said the decision was “extremely regrettable but unavoidable”. Above Afloat has identified a Hapag Lloyd containership berthed at the Merseyside port.

Redundancies at Port of Liverpool of Up to 125 Staff Announces UK's Second Largest Port Operator

25th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

Across the Irish Sea at the Port Port of Liverpool is where up to 125 people could lose their jobs following a "sustained and significant deterioration" in the number of containers coming in and out of the terminals on Merseyside.…

In a statement, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) reiterates its support for an emission trading scheme as instrument for greening the shipping sector, but expresses its serious concern about first signs of carbon and business leakage due to the limited scope of the current legislation.

Europe’s Ports Express Concern On Carbon & Business Leakage ahead of Start of EU ETS for the Maritime Sector

20th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

As part of the implementation process of the EU emission trading system (ETS) directive for the maritime sector, the EU Commission held a public consultation on the list of non-EU neighbouring ports that would fall under the “transhipment clause” that…

Last year’s winner of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award 2022 was the Port of Barcelona Authority.

Short-List of Four Ports in Final Competition for European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award 2023

20th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The following projects of the Port of Cartagena, Guadeloupe Port Caraïbes, North Sea Port and Port of Vigo have been shortlisted for the 15th edition of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award on Social Integration of Ports. The independent…

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…