#LongestShip - At over 420ft long, the Russian cargship Pycny-5 (Rusich-5) became the longest ever vessel to pass under the Dublin-Belfast railway viaduct that looms high above the River Boyne at the town quays of Drogheda Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 4,970 tonnes vessel berthed in the port last Friday along the town's Ballast Quay and was assisted by the ports environmental launch Boyne Protector.

The cargoship was 45ft longer than the previous longest vessel, understood to be a sister of Rusich-5, which a few years ago had the accolade of the longest vessel to berth at the port's downriver facility at the Tom Roe Container Terminal. The terminal is located on the north bank of the Co. Meath port.

Due to the extreme length of Rusich-5, she had to navigate astern when entering the mouth of the Boyne as it was longer than the width of the historic river when at the town quays and was unable from turning.

Rusich-5 departed on Saturday with an export cargo of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) which was bound for the Danish port of Koge south of Copenhagen.

Her homeport is St. Petersburg and she is one 12 sisters designed also for inland navigation along Russian waterways.