#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the EU Parliament agreed on the European budget for 2014-2020 of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) and for financial regulation.

Irish Ferries are to launch in 2014 a new direct passenger car ferry service linking Dublin with the French port of Cherbourg with the first sailing departing from Dublin Port on Saturday 18 January.

Irish shipping and port activity rose by 3% in Q3 of 2013 when compared to the corresponding period of 2012, according to the latest quarterly iShip Index and quarterly traffic review published by the IMDO.

The Competition Authority has published a study of competition in the ports sector in Ireland which found competition in port services could be improved.