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Displaying items by tag: Aoife to Malta

#AoifeToMalta- Former Naval Service OPV Aoife now under the ownership of the Maltese authorities is berthed alongide Cork Dockyard today in readiness for her new role in the Mediterranean Sea, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The transfer of the 1,019 tonnes offshore patrol vessel follows completion of administration arrangements between Maltese officials and the Department of Defence. This will see Aoife join the Armed Forces of Malta maritime squadron. Among her duties she is expected to be tasked in the rescue of refugees in the worsening humanitarian crisis. 

Earlier this year discussions began regarding the donation to Malta of LÉ Aoife (P22), the oldest unit of the Naval Service fleet which after 35 years-service was decommissioned in January. The proposal drew criticism from quarters within Maltese military describing the vessel as "past its sell-by date" and of "junk" status.

The introduction of Aoife according to the Maltese Government will address a shortfall in the capability of having a longer range vessel and given the country's role in UN mandated missions. In fact the Aoife's role will almost be full-circle (see report) and she will become the largest vessel of the Maltese fleet.  

Aoife made the short passage today from the Naval Service basin on Haulbowline Island to the berth outside the dockyard. Likewise the facility at Rushbrooke is where her elder sister Emer underwent work following her sale by public auction in 2013. 

The former LÉ Emer (P23) was sold for €320,000 to Nigerian interests to serve as a personnel transfer carrier and security vessel for the oil industry off West Africa.

Emer has since changed hands as in February this year she was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy and renamed NNS Prosperity.

Published in News Update

About Warrenpoint Port

The Original Port of Warrenpoint was constructed in the late 1770s and acted as a lightering port for the much larger Port of Newry.

Following the demise of Newry Port Warrenpoint Harbour Authority was created as a Trust Port by legislation in 1971. The modern Port was completed in 1974 when it covered 28 acres. Since then the port has expanded to its current size of approximately 53 Acres. The Authority has just completed a £22 Million capital infrastructure project (under the terms of a Service of General Economic Interest with the Department for Regional Development) that includes, the construction of a 300 Metres of Deep Water Quay (7.5 Metres C.D), new Ro-Ro berthing facilities, additional lands and covered storage facilities and a new 100 Tonne mobile crane.

  • Warrenpoint Port is the second largest port in Northern Ireland and the fifth-biggest on the island of Ireland.
  • Warrenpoint Harbour Authority was created as a Trust Port by legislation in 1971.
  • In 2018, the value of goods moving through Warrenpoint Port was £6.5 billion. The Port handled 3.56 million tonnes in 2017, increasing to 3.6m in 2018.
  • The port employs 70 staff directly and supports over 1,500 in the local economy.
  • In addition to serving the markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, the Port deals with imports and exports from countries and regions across the world including to Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine and the Americas.

 

At A Glance – Warrenpoint Port

  • Warrenpoint, Newry BT34 3JR, United Kingdom Phone: +44 28 4177 3381

     

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