Irish Port and Shipping News

Drewry analysis indicates {container] carriers will continue their practice of tactical sailing cancellations for the foreseeable future, suggesting shippers and forwarders extend lead times in case of operational delays. ABOVE AFLOAT's photo of 'When Mette Met Marco' on the occasion captured of containership Mette Maersk and cruiseship Marco Polo passing the UK's busiest 'box' boat port of Felixstowe in Essex, where was based Cruise & Maritime Voyages (on Monday went into administration: see Cruise Liners). CMV had operated the classic cruiseship as part of a fleet and is seen (almost 2 years ago this week) bound for nearby Harwich after a mini-cruise from Hull, the English port on the North Sea.

Ocean Freight Capacity is Volatile & Is Set to Continue for Some Months

22nd July 2020 Ports & Shipping

The container shipping and supply chain consultancy Drewry believes ocean freight carriers will continue their practice of tactical sailing cancellations for the foreseeable future, due to the “still uncertain and risky outlook for trade and for the global shipping network”,…

Cork's Tivoli docks. Last year, exports from Ireland to the Eurozone region saw record growth of 15% to €5.6bn. AFLOAT adds above is BG Freight Line's feeder service containership BG Jade, one of a quartet of lo-lo 'Ireland-max' series built in China. Since Sunday, the ship remains at anchorage in Dublin Bay having called to the Irish capital's port from where the operator also serves as part of a route network connecting mainland Europe. See photo of containership off Dun Laoghaire Harbour in Afloat's report yesterday on Dublin Bay Water Wags.

State Agency for Exporters Warns of a 'Very Challenging' 2020 Due to Brexit & Covid-19

17th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

Enterprise Ireland-backed companies which won new contracts declined by 12% in the first half of 2020 due to Covid-19 with this year described as "very challenging" for Irish exporters. As the Irish Examiner writes, the state agency responsible for helping…

Isle of Man Registry Director Cameron Mitchell. The launch of the app will become the first ever seafarer welfare app designed by a ship registry.

Ship Registry in Isle of Man Becomes First Flag State to Launch Seafarer Welfare App

15th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Isle of Man Ship Registry, which is one of the world's leading flag states, is set to launch the first ever seafarer welfare app designed by a ship registry. Director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry Cameron Mitchell…

Seafarers' (Covid-19) Rights: An international maritime summit which was a first for the UK in regards to addressing the impact of COVID-19 on crew changes and more issues that challenge seafarers globally was held in London last week. ABOVE AFLOAT's photo of tug Irishman (40 ton bollard pull) assisting cruiseship Marco Polo (with an international crew) depart the lock system at Port of Hull, England into the Humber estuary leading into the North Sea. The cruiseship was also a regular to Irish waters. According to Marco Polo's operator, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) have stated due to the continued escalation of the global pandemic outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, Government advisories in force and the lockdown of many countries and ports around the world, we CMV has taken the decision to suspend all our cruises up to 25th August 2020. As for the Irish authorities, they advise against all non-essential travel overseas until further notice. This includes Great Britain but does not apply to Northern Ireland. It also includes all travel by cruise ship.

Seafarers' Rights - New International Commitment to Enhance 'Key Workers' Following Impact of Covid-19

13th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

Seafarers worldwide will get enhanced rights as key workers following a joint commitment made at the International Maritime Summit held in London last week. UK holds first international maritime summit to address impact of COVID-19 on crew changes international recognition…

IMDO Represents Irish Ports In New ’Network Of Excellence’ Towards The Port Of Tomorrow

10th July 2020 Irish Ports

DocksTheFuture, the European Commission-funded project aimed at defining the vision for the ports of the future in 2030, has announced the launch of a ‘Network of Excellence’. The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) represents Irish ports in this network with…

Newbuilds pictorial: Arklow Archer, the latest of a new 'A' class series of bulk orientated dry-cargo vessels for the Irish owners Arklow Shipping. At the ship's launch the customary gathering of the public to view the spectacle was not an option due to Covid-19 health restrictions. Also depicted beneath is another newbuild the W' class Arklow Wood.

Arklow's Latest Newbuild 'Archer' Heads For the Sea

8th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

Afloat has tracked the newest Arklow Shipping 'A' class newbuild cargoship Arklow Archer which is currently under tow on a canal from a Dutch inland shipyard to a North Sea port, writes Jehan Ashmore. The newbuild Arklow Archer is a…

The Welsh capital of Cardiff where the port has welcomed a new contract with a global energy company that will assist in fueling the economy of the city and the wider region

Welsh Capital's Port Celebrates New Contract with Global Energy Company

8th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Welsh capital of Cardiff is where its port celebrated the start of a new contract with Valero, a global refiner specialising in the manufacture of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. The development will help power the economy of the…

As container carriers have done well during the (Covid-19) pandemic, cargo owners have faced inflated transport costs and lower service quality, with many shippers reporting cargo roll-overs and carriers prioritising higher-paying spot cargo, Drewry notes. Above AFLOAT photo taken of a deep-sea containership.

Container Crisis Performance Risks Looking to Customers like Profiteering

7th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

As container lines have done relatively well financially during the Covid-19 pandemic, cargo owners have faced inflated transport costs and lower service quality, with many shippers reporting cargo roll-overs and carriers prioritising higher-paying spot cargo, according to container shipping consultancy…

Euroports: Containers on board a lo-lo vessel along with those stacked ashore at the Tivoli Container Terminal, Port of Cork.

Euroports: EU Taxonomy Should Align with Defined Sectoral Sustainability, Decarbonisation & Greening Strategies

6th July 2020 Ports & Shipping

Ports in the European Union fully endorse the idea to help private investors to prioritise green and sustainable investments by providing them a clear manual with common definitions. According to the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), however they have asked…

Hapag Lloyd AG through their Irish subsidiary have launched a new weekly container service on BG Freight Line's existing 'feeder' routes. This connects the south-east of Ireland with deep-sea global shipping hubs of Liverpool and Rotterdam and will provide alternative logistical solutions.

Port of Waterford Welcomes New Container Service With Existing Links to Other Ports

30th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

Shipping company Hapag Lloyd Ireland , in partnership with BG Freight Line's 'feeder' services are to launch a new port offering from Belview, the main terminal in Waterford. According to the Port of Waterford, this will complement their existing container…

Carlingford Lough: Warrenpoint Port's AGM (Annual Report - 2019) was held virtually for the first time due to restrictions imposed by the impact of Covid-19. Above AFLOAT adds is the low-air draft general drycargo short-sea trader Peak Oslo (formerly Union Sun) on the Lough which derives its name from the Old Norse Kerlingfjǫrðr, meaning 'narrow sea-inlet of the hag'. The ship in this foreshortened view is deceptive given its 87.66m length, a beam of 11.05m and a draft of 2.7m. The 1985 built / 1,543 grt ship is from the an original series built for Union Transport Group based in Kent, UK, that included Union Moon which along with a ferry collided into eachother in Belfast Lough as Afloat reported in 2012. Later that year the MAIB deemed both vessels at fault for the incident.

Annual General Meeting 'Virtually' Held by Warrenpoint Port Due to Covid-19

26th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

Warrenpoint Port held for the first time an annual general meeting (AGM) virtually due to the unprecedented circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and current Government guidance on social distancing. A digital copy of the Co. Down's port Annual Report, outlining…

Belfast to Build Zero Emissions Ferries Following £60m Funding Boost

26th June 2020 Belfast Lough

A Belfast Lough Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million UK Government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in the city, that will revolutionise the future of maritime transport. With further investment from consortium partners,…

Latest ‘Ocean Of Learning’ Series Sees Bright Future For Ireland’s Shipping Sector

25th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

As an island nation, Ireland is dependent on ports and shipping services to transport goods, and 90% of our trade is moved though Irish ports. Shipping and maritime transport services make a significant contribution to Ireland’s ocean economy, with the…

To join in the Nautical Institute webinar this Thursday you must register, see below.

Webinar: Celebrating the Contribution of Seafarers and Asking the Question 'Where Next?'

23rd June 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Nautical Institute is to host a webinar this Thursday (25 June) at 1400 BST (UK time). So here's an opportunity to join the Nautical Institute CEO Captain John Lloyd and a distinguished panel of international experts in celebrating the…

After successful implementation in selected countries, the container line (MSC) is now extending the programme to clients worldwide throughout 2020. Above AFLOAT adds is DNV GL's ground-breaking new class notation to mitigate fire risks on container ships had been awarded to MSC. The notation has been implemented on the largest container ships in the world, the 23,000+ TEU MSC Gülsün class with their also important lowest CO2 emissions per container carried by design.

Global Container Giant MSC Expands Carbon-Neutral Programme to Clients Worldwide in 2020

15th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

Following a successful implementation in selected countries, global container line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is now extending its the MSC Carbon Neutral Programme to clients worldwide throughout 2020. Since early 2019, MSC has partnered with leading global climate solutions provider…

Independent Vision arrives at the Port of Cork on Saturday 6 June

Direct Cargo Service To US East Coast Commences From Port Of Cork

7th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Port of Cork hailed the arrival of ICL’s cargo vessel Independent Vision yesterday (Saturday 6 June) to commence the start of a new weekly direct service from Cork Harbour to the United States. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the…