#tallship – This morning saw the world's third-largest Tall Ship, the Juan Sebastián de Elcano, greeted by Dublin Port Company tug boats and a flotilla of yachts from local sailing clubs in a ceremonial escort to mark the ship's arrival in Dublin Port.

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, the magnificent 370ft, four-masted steel-hulled Royal Spanish Navy schooner will be open to the public to visit for free during her five-day stay in the capital to promote Spanish-Irish cultural exchange. Click HERE for public opening dates, times and locations.

#tall ship – Straight after a weekend of Tall Ships on Dublin Bay, the Spanish Embassy in Dublin and Dublin Port Company have announced that the world's third-largest Tall Ship, the 370 foot long, four-masted "Juan Sebastián de Elcano" will visit Dublin from Saturday, 7th until Thursday, 12th June.

The impressive steel-hulled schooner will be met by two Dublin Port Company tug boats and a flotilla of yachts from local sailing clubs in a ceremonial escort to mark the ship's arrival at 7.30am this Saturday in Dublin Bay.
Led by Captain Enrique Torres Piñeyro, the "Elcano" is used primarily as a training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy, preparing its Officers for long periods at sea. She will arrive in Dublin carrying 191 crew on board, who will participate in a five-day programme of engagements in the capital to promote Spanish-Irish cultural exchange.
This includes a number of free public open days, when Dubliners and visitors to the city will be able to board and inspect this magnificent vessel up close in the following locations:
At Sir John Rogerson's Quay:
Sunday 8th June: 12.00 to 13.00 and 15.30 to 19.00;
Monday 9th June: 10.00 to 12.00 and 15.30 to 19.00

At Alexandra Basin*:
Tuesday 10th June: 15.30 to 19.00;
Wednesday 11th June: 10.00 to 13.00 and 15.30 to 19.00

The ship, now on its 85th training voyage, has been sailing for 23 days across the Atlantic from the Port of New York en route to Dublin Port. Built in Cádiz (Spain) in 1928, the "Elcano" has visited 152 ports in more than 70 countries, and of its 85 cruises to date, 10 have been round-the-world trips. The last time the "Elcano" visited Dublin was in July 1999. Her next ports of call include Hamburg, Germany and Fredrikstad, Norway before returning to Spain.
Eamonn O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company, said: "Dublin Port Company is delighted to welcome the Juan Sebastián de Elcano and her crew to Dublin Port. As a PORT CITY, it's an honour for Dublin Port to host the world's third-largest Tall Ship in full view of the city, where she is certain to receive a very warm welcome. I would strongly encourage Dubliners and visitors to the city to take this unique opportunity to visit this spectacular naval ship, and share in Spain's maritime history and culture over the coming days."
Javier Garrigues, Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, said: "The arrival to Dublin of the Elcano is an event of major importance and significance. It symbolises the strength of the bilateral relations between Ireland and Spain, two nations united throughout history by close ties, nowadays reinforced by their common membership of the EU. The fact that Dublin has been chosen as a port of call by the Elcano is proof of the importance Spain attaches to Ireland. I am convinced that Elcano´s visit will further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries."

#DublinSnapShot - Making a fleeting visit to Dublin Port yesterday was Morgenster, at almost a century old the Dutch built twin masted sailing vessel berthed close to the East-Link Bridge, while today cruiseship Island Sky, transited the bridge to berth before the Samuel Beckett bridge, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Morgenster's North Wall Quay berth was opposite the O2 Arena (formerly The Point) and lest it not be forgotten the site of a large railway depot. In the surrounding compounds behind the entertainment venue remains laid-up Irish Rail InterCity rolling stock. These older generation rolling stock if you recall were liveried in striking orange, however days of further service are long gone as they are been dismantled.

The role of railways however are not completely redundant in Dublin Port, no were not talking of the lightrail LUAS link 'straight to the Point', but the established 'working' train traffic that been to Alexandra Basin (East). Here trains from Bolidan Tara Mines Co. Meath, are laden with deposits from Europe's largest zinc mines and containers by rail arrive and depart from Ballina, Co. Mayo.

As both rail-freight services terminate in the basin, the mined deposits are loaded onto bulkers, notably those frequent callers of the Arklow Shipping fleet, where today there were up to a trio of the distinctly green coloured hulled ships docked in port.

Firstly, Arklow Falcon which departed this afternoon having berthed along the bulk north quay and adjacent to where railway transported containers are hoisted on and off container vessels with destinations among them the Eastern Mediterranean and the African continent.

As for the remaining 'Arklow' pair, Arklow Manor is undergoing work in Dublin Dry Docks single dry-dock facility, next to the disused and in-filled older dry-dock. The historic dry-dock is to be excavated for heritage and tourism purposes as part of the €200m Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project in which Afloat.ie will have more 'revealing' details to uncover.

In addition Dublin Port are to find a new purpose for the former lightship 'Kittiwake' that local property developer Harry Crosbie had intended to use as a feature of the O2 Theatre Arena. Planning permission was refused by Dublin City Council.

The Kittiwake which is understood awaiting a survey, was subsequently purchased by the Dublin Port Company, who will decide her fate. What is certain her future role remains in the port and is intended to serve in an amenity role thus benefitting the public.

While the final member of the Arklow trio, the Arklow Brook is berthed outside the basin, alongside the Deepwater Berth, also known as the 'Coal' berth which is on the south bank of the channel.

It was at this quayside last Friday, that Irish Ferries, Epsilon, shifted opposite berths from the busy ferryport terminal having experienced 'technical' problems, which led to cancellation of all her sailings to Holyhead and last weekend's Dublin-Cherbourg round trip.

Epsilon's technical difficulties have been resolved as this afternnon she sailed to Holyhead.

She is seen pictured on our Cruise Liners coverage of Celebrity Infinity's arrival in the wake of Mein Schiff 1, which berthed earlier in Alexandra Basin. Celebrity Infinity was attended by tugs and Epsilon berthed in the backround while work to repair her gets underway.

As part of the ABR project there are plans for a dedicated cruise terminal which would cater for even larger cruiseships as those mentioned above.

The custom built terminal would be closer to the city-centre at a site near where our port snapshot had begun at the East-Link Bridge. Let the bridge lift be open again!... and to who knows what?

#CruiseLiners– On the same day of L.E. Samuel Beckett's historic inaugural call to Dublin Port, two large cruiseships also visited the capital with mid-morning berthing taking place within Alexandra Basin, writes Jehan Ashmore.

A large crowd of cruise-goers gathered along the stern decks of the striking signature script liveried Mein Schiff I, to watch Celebrity Infinity edge effortlessly astern and yet cautiously with the assistance of a pair of tugs to an adjoining berth.

The TUI Cruises 78,998 gross registered tonnes Mein Shiff I which translates to 'My Ship' arrived from Belfast while in the opposite direction, Celebrity Cruise larger 90,940grt Celebrity Infinity had called from Le Havre.

Ships of this size and much larger are planned to berth two at a time at a dedicated cruise terminal which is proposed for a site nearby along the North Wall Quay extension and next to the East-Link bridge.

As both cruise callers arrived in late morning as compared to a dawn arrival as is generally the norm, the pair will depart Dublin Port tonight. Celebrity Infinity is scheduled to vacate her berth at 22.15hrs and Mein Schiff I is expected to follow suit at midnight.

#dublinport – Lord Mayor of Dublin and Honorary Admiral of Dublin Port, Oisín Quinn, today performed the annual "Casting of the Spear" ceremony, a Dublin Port tradition dating back 526 years.

The "Casting of the Spear" dates back to1488 when the then Lord Mayor, Thomas Mayler, set out on his horse to ride the city's boundaries. Historical records show that he rode out onto the strand as far as a man could and from there he cast a spear into the sea. At that time, casting the spear demonstrated the extent of the city boundaries eastwards.

The ceremony was re-enacted this morning as part of the launch of the "Dublin - Land & Sea ticket" by Dublin Bay Cruises and Dublin Sightseeing. The Lord Mayor of Dublin travelled out into Dublin Bay on board MV St Bridget and launched a spear deep into Dublin Bay, and once again marked the position of the city boundaries eastwards.

This ceremony marks just one of the many famous moments in Dublin Port's long and remarkable history since its establishment as a trading post some 1,200 years ago.
Speaking at the ceremony on board the MV St Bridget, Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson, Dublin Port Company said: "This year's 'Casting of the Spear' ceremony was particularly memorable, marking a celebration of traditions old and new. While Dublin Port Company brought to life its medieval tradition of the Lord Mayor casting a spear into Dublin Bay, we welcomed a new initiative from Dublin Bay Cruises and Dublin Sightseeing which will further animate the River Liffey and Dublin Bay for Dubliners and visitors alike."

Dublin Port Company Chief Executive Mr. Eamonn O'Reilly, said: "The re-enactment of the Casting of the Spear brings to life an important piece of Dublin Port's rich maritime history, and illustrates the port's long-standing links with the City of Dublin. It's over half a millennium since the then Lord Mayor Thomas Mayler set the city's boundaries by casting a spear into Dublin Bay. Dublin Port Company is committed to safeguarding the memory of this, and a wealth of other maritime stories, for Dubliners today and future generations in the spirit of continuing to integrate Dublin Port with the city."

#DublinPort – First quarter figures for Dublin Port Company in 2014 reveal accelerating cargo volumes as outlined below in addition to a breakdown of specific shipping sectors.

Cargo volumes as follows:

• Imports +8.5%
• Exports +12.1%
• Total volume +10.0%

Having finished 2013 with annual growth of 3.1%, growth accelerated in the first three months of 2014 against the background of a weak start to the previous year.

Specific sectorial performance was as follows:

• Unitised trade (Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo) increased by 9.5%
• Bulk commodities increased by 12.0%.

This included an increase in bulk liquids (mainly petroleum products) of 7.0% and an increase in bulk solids (with animal feed and cereals the largest commodities) of 21.3%

• Trade vehicle imports increased by 10.9%
On the tourism and passenger side, volumes declined:
• Ferry passengers decreased by 4.9%
• Tourist vehicles on ferries decreased by 4.1%

If the rate of growth of cargo volumes in the 12 months to the end of March 2014 were to continue for the remainder of the year, Dublin Port would have a volume during 2014 equivalent to 99% of the peak in 2007 and would achieve a record volume next year.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the port lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project, which at an estimated €200m represents the first large scale investment programme of the Dublin Port Masterplan 2012-2040. For further details of the ABR project visit: www.dublinportabr.ie

#DublinCruisecalls – Dublin Port welcomed its first cruiseship caller for the 2014 season, Discovery (1971/20,135grt) a 700-passenger vessel chartered to Cruise & Maritime Voyages and she is one of around  90 visitors so far scheduled to visit, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Last year she also opened the Dublin Port cruise season which was had a record season with 100 cruise-callers. An added bonus was the 1 millionth cruise-passenger to visit the capital over the last 20 years.

The cruise passenger was on board Carnival Cruises giant 292m long Carnival Legend with more than 2,100 cruise-goers who were on a repositioning cruise from Europe to New York.

Cruise rate rowth has exceeded all expectations of the Dublin Port Company, as it was predicted that this level of cruise callers would not be realised until 2025, so the port claim they are 12 years ahead of schedule.

The dramatic surge in demand for cruising is reflected by the world's leading cruiseship industry brands among them Princess Cruises which is to see another giant the 3,082 passenger Emerald Princess (2007/113,561grt) arrive towards the end of this month.

Even larger sized cruiseships are expected to dock closer to the city-centre as part of Dublin Port's Masterplan 2012-2040, where a proposed €200m Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project (ABR) is to include a dedicated cruise terminal completed by 2015.

The located of the proposed terminal is along North Wall Quay Extension, close to the East-Link Bridge and neighbouring O2 Theatre with its nearby tram (LUAS) connection to the city-centre.

Currently only smaller cruiseships can come up the River Liffey close to the city centre and this is dictated by the width of the East-Link toll-lift bridge and depth of water.

As for medium to large vessels they predominantly dock in Alexandra Basin's Ocean Pier and further downriver at the adjoining Alexandra Basin East which are approximately 2kms from the city centre.

To consult the cruise ships expected in Dublin Port over the season (click this link), which traditionally runs up to September, however there are further calls outside the high-season including calls beyond mid-December.

#ABRProject – As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Dublin Port Company has lodged a planning application to An Bord Pleanála for a €200m Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project.

Starting this evening there will be the first of three Open Public Information Days held by Dublin Port to outline plans which are to form the first large-scale project under Dublin Port Company's Masterplan 2012-2040 (See Video). Some 42% of Dublin Port's berths (3km of the port's 7km) will be lengthened and deepened and the 10km channel from Dublin Bay to the East Link Bridge will be deepened.

There are many more elements of the project which can be consulted in the Dublin Port Company HQ on Alexandra Road (Monday-Fridays: 9am-5pm) and during the three Open Information Days, for details of location, venue and times scroll to end of this page link HERE.
In addition to the ABR's dedicated website: www.dublinportabr.ie

#DublinPort - Dublin Port Company has welcomed 30 participants from the following African states; Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria as well as the Philippines for the United Nations Port Training Programme.

Trade for Trade will host a training of trainers' workshop for the English-speaking network of its Port Training Programme (PTP). The workshop will be held in Dublin, Ireland in collaboration with Dublin Port Company.

The workshop will provide training to 30 senior port managers from Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines who have been selected to serve as local and regional instructors for the English-speaking network of the PTP.

In particular, the managers will receive training on the content of the first four (out of eight) training modules of UNCTAD's Modern Port Management course. Following the workshop, they will lead the delivery of these modules within the framework of the PTP in their respective port communities.

The programme will be opened by Maureen O Sullivan TD tomorrow at Dublin Port Company's head office, the Port Centre on Alexandra Road.

Minister Joe Costello, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Trade and Development will close the programme on 3 April 2014. The programme is part of Dublin Port Company's Corporate Responsibility Programme (CSR)

UNCTAD's TrrainForTrade Port Training Programme supports port communities in developing countries in pursuit of efficient and competitive port management practices. In order to increase trade flows and foster economic development, the programme creates port networks, bringing together public, private and international entities.

The aim is to share knowledge and expertise between port operators, and strengthen talent management and human resources development in port communities.
The English-speaking network of the programme (there are also French-, Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking networks) has been active since 2008 and is now in its third cycle.

Ports that have participated in the programme have been from Ghana, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Namibia, Nigeria and the Philippines.

Irish Aid has provided funding for the English-speaking network since its creation (the African and Asian member ports also contribute financially), and Dublin Port Company has been a port partner of the network since the beginning.

As a port partner, Dublin Port Company hosts training events, such as this Training of Trainers workshop. They also provide the time and expertise of their senior managers, who travel to the member ports in Africa and Asia, where they deliver the different modules of the programme alongside local senior managers (who have been trained as instructors).

The Port of Cork, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Drogheda Port Company have also joined the network as port partners.

The Port Training Programme's scope and objectives were specifically designed for middle management. On average, 25 middle managers in each member port are selected to participate in the programme per training cycle.

A training cycle consists of 240 hours of instruction divided in eight modules that are delivered over a two-year period. Participants must successfully complete all eight modules and defend a final dissertation in order to receive the UNCTAD Modern Port Management Certificate.

In their final dissertation, the participants identify challenges within their respective ports and propose concrete management solutions. Since 2008, the network has trained 232 middle managers in the participating ports.

The programme's objectives, however, move beyond training. The goal is to assist the member ports in strengthening their human resources development strategies by setting up a sustainable capacity building framework that facilitates the transfer of knowledge from senior to middle managers. Thus, for the programme to be successful there must be a strong commitment and contribution from the member ports' senior managers.

During the first cycle of the programme, UNCTAD sends an expert or a senior manager from one of the port partners, such as Dublin Port Company, to assist in deliver all eight of the programme training modules in the member ports in Africa and Asia.

When a member port moves into the second cycle, this assistance is reduced to 50 per cent, i.e. an UNCTAD expert or senior manager from the port partners is sent for only four out of the eight modules. Outside assistance is reduced with each successive cycle. This ensures that the programme is sustainable and locally owned.

To prepare senior managers from the member ports for their role as instructors, UNCTAD organizes training of trainers (ToT) workshops in collaboration with the port partners. The next ToT workshop will be hosted by Dublin Port Company, from 25 March to 3 April 2014.

During the intensive two-week workshop, 30 selected senior managers from member ports in Ghana, Indonesia, the Philippines and Nigeria will be trained as instructors for the programme. The training will be delivered by UNCTAD experts and senior managers from Dublin Port Company, Port of Cork, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Drogheda Port Company.

Since the inception of the English-speaking Network of the Port Training Programme in 2008, 192 senior managers have been trained as instructors, replicating the training for 282 middle managers in the port communities of Africa and Asia.

#dublinport – Dublin Port Company has lodged a planning application with An Bord Pleanála for its Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project. The application is being made under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act and follows a twelve month consultation with industry, government, customer and community stakeholders. Local information centres will be open over the coming weeks with details of the proposal plans on view.

The ABR Project involves an application to An Bord Pleanála for permission for phased redevelopment work on some of Dublin Port's existing infrastructure. Some 42% of Dublin Port's berths (3km of the port's 7km) will be lengthened and deepened and the 10km channel from Dublin Bay to the East Link Bridge will be deepened. It is the first large scale project under Dublin Port Company's Masterplan 2012-2040, a framework for the future development of Dublin Port with reference to economic and trade developments set in the context of EU, national, regional and local development plan policies.

The ABR Project will cost an estimated €200 million and Dublin Port Company has the financial resources to fund the project. The engineering works will take place on a phased basis and are expected to take five years to complete, supporting some 200 construction related jobs in the process. It is further estimated that the growth in volumes which the project will facilitate will result in 320 jobs being created annually between 2012 and 2040.

Commenting on the application for Dublin Port Company's Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project, Eamonn O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company said, "Dublin Port Company's ABR Project will give us the infrastructure, capacity and versatility needed to futureproof Dublin Port, catering for larger sized vessels and increased trade volumes as Ireland returns to economic growth. Dublin Port Company is committed to carrying out this project within our current footprint, re-developing and utilising existing port lands in the most efficient way possible, while financing the project from our own resources.

"We have engaged with Government, business and industry stakeholders, customers and local communities over the past year to help shape today's planning application. The public can view the proposal in detail, meet members of the project team at public information days from 25th – 27th March and learn about all aspects of the project over the coming weeks", he added.

Submissions or observations on the application may be made to An Bord Pleanála at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, by 7th May 2014.

The project comprises engineering redevelopment works in the Alexandra Basin and in the Berth 52/53 Basin. Some of the proposed development works will include*:

Proposed Purpose

ALEXANDRA BASIN

Deepening and reconfiguration of quay walls at North Wall Quay Extension (937m total length), including the relocation of the North Wall lighthouse.

 Extension of Alexandra Quay (130m).

 Rebuilding of existing, life expired quay walls in the remainder of the Alexandra Basin West (aggregate length of 1,200m).

 New 273m long Ro-Ro jetty with Ro-Ro berths on either side.

To increase Dublin Port's berth capacities using the port's existing footprint so as to accommodate larger freight and passenger ships at multi-purpose berths.

 The multi-purpose berths will cater for a range of uses, including freight and cruise.

BERTHS 52/53

 Construction of a new 300m river berth at Berth 52/53 and two new mooring jetties.

 To provide the port with two river berths for the largest future Ro-Ro ships.

DEEPENING THE PORT

Dredging of the Liffey Channel and approach to the port to a depth of -10m (Chart Datum) from east of the East Link Bridge to the Dublin Bay Buoy, a distance of about 10km in total.

 To provide a deeper channel for larger vessels including, ferry and cruise ships.