#ESPO2015 - The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is inviting its members, policy makers and stakeholders to join in the 12th edition of its annual conference 21-22 May held the Greek capital, Athens.

ESPO2015 is being organised in co-operation with the Port of Piraeus, the largest Greek port and Europe's most important passenger port.

As from today, participants can register online via the conference: www.espo2015.gr/

The theme of this year's conference is No ports, no energy. No Energy no ports.

Recently, the European Commission released its energy security strategy, in which it developed a set of short- and long-term measures to ensure a stable and abundant supply of energy for European citizens and the economy. In October 2014, the European Council endorsed the 27% renewable energy and 30% energy efficiency improvement targets.

Currently the EU imports more than half the energy it consumes. Most of these imports go through European ports. This means that around 40% of all commodities handled in European ports are sources of energy. Moreover, European ports are important clusters of industry. It goes without saying that a change in energy policy will alter business in European ports. Are ports getting ready?

ESPO 2015 conference aims to look at the role of ports in the changing energy policy framework. The conference will kick-off by drawing a clear picture of what is currently at stake in Europe, and the wider world. What are the most realistic energy scenarios and how will these affect transport, ports and port industries?

The conference will look further at the way ports can respond and possibly benefit from these developments. How will the shift to alternative energies in maritime transport and other transport modes affect ports? To what extent can Europe's decarbonisation agenda bring new business for ports? How can ports improve energy efficiency in their daily functioning?

The conference will also be an occasion to engage in an exchange of views on the policy priorities of the new Commissioner of Transport, Violeta Bulc. And with the participation of Knut Fleckenstein MEP, the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Port Regulation, it is clear that the port regulation will remain high on the Conference agenda.

The conference is taking place in the centrally-located Ledra Hotel, which will allow participants to network with a spectacular view of the Acropolis.

Finally, EPSO's host, the Port of Piraeus, will ensure that participants can fully enjoy the famed Greek hospitality.

#dAmicoLargestShip – The d'Amico Group, the Italian international shipowner with offices in Dublin, has announced the delivery of the 'Handy-Cape' type vessel, Cielo d'Italia, the largest and most innovative ship in the history of the group.

At the Sanoyas Shipbuilding Corporation's shipyard in Mizushima, Japan, the d'Amico Group an international shipping operator for more than 60 years received the newbuild last week.

The value of the order for Cielo d'Italia and its handy cape sister which will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016 is approximately region 100 M$ (benefitting from the prevailing favourable weakening of the yen against the dollar) and is part of the most significant development plan in the history of d'Amico Group.

Cielo d'Italia will be employed by d'Amico Dry on a short period time charter until the delivery of its sister ship, expected in the first quarter of 2016. For the 2014-2016 period, the Group has invested approximately $1.2 billion by ordering 38 new ships, both bulkers and tanker vessels.

The new 117,000dwt ship, 245m long and 43m wide, is the result of multi-year collaboration between two prominent companies on the international shipping scene, who working very closely designed an extremely innovative ship characterized by extremely effective design particulars, respect for the environment and energy efficiency, capable of reducing consumption and emissions by 20%, compared to other ships operating in the same segment.

Since d'Amico established its operating companies in Ireland in 2002, the Group has expanded its activities in the Dublin office. 

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Minister for Transport Paschal Donohue welcomed d'Amico's continued commitment to investment in Ireland and interest in the development of the Irish maritime sector.

Currently its Tankers division is ranked in the 10 biggest Product Tanker controlling and managing companies in the world and this has firmly positioned its Dublin office as a significant international shipping operation.

#MaritimeAwards - The Mersey Maritime annual awards judges met for the first time on Thursday as organisers say they have been "overwhelmed" with the number of entries, writes Liverpool Echo.

Birkenhead-based Mersey Maritime, an umbrella organisation for the Liverpool city region's maritime, logistics and energy sectors, said it had received "strong entries" for all nine categories.

They are Business of the Year; Vocational Skills Award (individual award); SME Business of the Year; Engineering Company of the Year; Environmental Award; Supply Chain Partnership; Best Newcomer (company award); Global Reach Award; Ambassador of the Year Award.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on March 12. For more on this story, click HERE.

Afloat.addes that the photograph accompanying the Merseyside newspaper shows the Cammell Laird Shipyard and repair facility in Birkenhead.

Pictured in the dry dock is Irish Ferries Ulysses which as previously reported has returned to Dublin-Holyhead service. The operator's Isle of Inishmore from the Rosslare-Pembroke route is currently taking her turn at the same facility for annual overhaul.

In the adjoining dry-dock to that of Ulysses, was Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry, Caledonian Isles which has since resumed the Isle of Aran's Brodick-Ardrossan service. A fleetmate, Isle of Lewis is currently undergoing work having taken the place of the Firth of Clyde ferry.

#Port&Shipping - Over the last fortnight, Jehan Ashmore has reported on the shipping scene, where China had approved foreign-flagged to ply coastal waters under Beijing's pilot project to liberalise the country's cabotage restrictions.

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) meets the new EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc. Among the EPSO delegation was ESPO Vice Chair Eamonn O'Reilly, who is also the Chief Executive of Dublin Port.

Cammell Laird, the Merseyside shipyard completed a £49.5m major refit of Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Fort Victoria (A387), the yard's largest single contract in 2014 and since the 'cluster' contract began in 2008.

A massive containership which experienced engine problems while drifting off the West coast, Atlantic Companion took shelter in Bantry Bay to undergo repairs.

The Irish Institute of Master Mariners for the first time has elected a woman to lead the organisation.

#ShipRepairs – Atlantic Companion, a massive containership which had experienced engine problems according to The Irish Examiner, was understood to have undergone continued repairs last night in the shelter of Bantry Bay.

The 57,000 tonnes vessel lost engine power and drifting for almost 12 hours off Cork on Tuesday.

The Swedish-flagged vessel was en-route from Liverpool to Halifax when it experienced problems with one of the six cylinders on its main engine.

However Gerry Callanan of ACL, the container shipping company which owns the vessel, told customers who have containers on board that he expects the vessel to resume its trans-Atlantic voyage at some stage tomorrow (this Thursday) morning.

For more on the story, click HERE.

#ESPOgreenPortAward – The Slovenian port of Koper has been awarded this year's ESPO Award in recognition of its work in creating a sustainable future for the port and its surroundings.

The prestigious award ceremony was held in Brussels last night and the theme of this year's European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) Award was Innovative Environmental Projects. Koper won the 2014 Award for its project, No Waste, Just Resources!

The project aims to reduce the amount of waste through encouraging its reuse or reprocessing into environment-friendly materials, and includes such innovations as the use of paper mill sludge as an anti-dusting agent, the introduction of a heating system that uses recycled wood. In addiiton the operation of the waste separation centre and composting plant and the reuse of marine silt as a construction material.

The ESPO Award 2014 attracted twenty projects from ports from all over Europe compete for the prize. Koper beat shortlisted projects from the ports of Huelva, Lisbon, Marseille and Rotterdam.

Read more about the project No Waste, Just Resources! by clicking HERE.

#ArdmoreShipping - Ardmore Shipping Corporation, operators of a modern products and chemical tanker fleet, has announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and a $20 million Share Repurchase Plan.

The corporation (whose principle operating office based in Mahon Co. Cork), has reported a net profit of $117,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, or 0.4 cents basic and diluted earnings per share. This compared to a net loss of $920,000, or 6.3 cents basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

Anthony Gurnee, the company's CEO commented: "We are very pleased to report a profitable third quarter which builds on our net profit reported in the second quarter of 2014. This was achieved in otherwise challenging market conditions and confirms the value of our flexible approach to vessel employment and cost management, which is generating strong cash-flow relative to the market. During the quarter, we continued to execute our growth strategy, taking delivery of two fuel-efficient MR product tankers.

Mr. Gurnee added "As we move into the fourth quarter and towards a winter market, we are encouraged by signs of significant charter market strengthening, with daily spot rates above $19,000 on average for key Atlantic and Pacific MR triangulations. We believe that Ardmore is well positioned to benefit from a strengthening market, through vessels engaged in the spot market, anticipated time charter renewals, and ten ships delivering throughout 2015 which are presently open or committed to a spot trading commercial arrangement with a major oil trader."

For much more to include a Summary of recent and third quarter 2014 events and in-depth operating details of fleet click HERE.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Ardmore are undergoing a fleet expansion programme.

According to Ardmore Shipping, the current fleet stands at 14 vessels in operation. They consist of five Eco-design MR product and chemical tankers and five Eco-mod product tankers and four Eco-mod product and chemical tankers.

In addition 10 Eco-design newbuilds under construction. Two of the vessels under construction, which were scheduled to be delivered in November / December 2014, are now expected for delivery in the first quarter of 2015. The first vessel of the pair is expected to be delivered in early January.

#DublinDryDocks - Dublin Graving Docks Ltd which as previously reported on Afloat.ie faces closure by Dublin Port Co. over plans to redevelop Alexandra Basin that incorporates the site of the 200m long graving dock is currently occupied by a pair of vessels, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The dry docked vessels at the ship-repairer and conversion business are the Dutch built Arklow Raider (2002/2,999grt) one of Arklow Shipping's general cargoships flagged in the Netherlands and the museum tallship Jeanie Johnston.

Up to 26 people are employed at the facility which has seen an increase in clients compared to last year. The dockyard primarily caters for trawlers and larger dry-cargo vessels than that of Arklow Raider, among them the 8,900 tonnes 'W' class and 9,700 tonnes 'M' class series from the Irish flagged fleet of Arklow Shipping Ltd.

One of the 'M' class vessels, Arklow Mill which was featured on Afloat.ie during a call to the Shannon at Aughinish Alumina plant, had work carried out by Dublin Graving Dock in 2013. This was to increase the deadweight tonnage (dwt) up to 14,990 tonnes, making her one of the largest in the fleet until the more recent introduction of 'S' class sisters each of 34,905dwt.

The Dutch division of ASL operate a smaller fleet of vessels registered in Rotterdam from where Arklow Shipping Netherlands are based.
When either of the W and M class vessels are booked into the dry-dock due to their overall dimensions they take up the entire graving dock. The graving dock can accommodate ships drawing a maximum draft of 6.5m and having a beam of up to 24.5m.

In the current circumstance of two vessels within Graving Dock No. 2, a dockgate (caisson) divides the ships apart into separate chambers. This will allow the Dutch built Arklow Raider to vacate first as her work is scheduled to be completed prior to that of Jeanie Johnston.

The chamber where Arklow Raider occcupies will be flooded and without interrupting the Jeanie Johnston. Work on the barque is not expected to be completed until later this month. Her opening date as a museum ship has been advertised as 1 November. 

#IrishTonnageTax - The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) has released a report Irish Tonnage Tax: Opportunities for the International Shipping Industry.

The Irish tonnage tax regime has been established for over 10 years and offers one of the most competitive on-shore corporate tax rates to international shipping companies.

The tonnage tax report was produced by independent experts PwC and details the benefits of locating a maritime operation in Ireland. The report provides an update on Ireland's extensive double tax treaty network.

Ireland's role is highlighted in its expertise in asset leasing and for having a well developed structured finance regime which can be directly applied to international maritime financing.

The Irish tonnage tax is derived from a 'notional' profit calculated based on the tonnage of a vessel, which is then subject to the Irish corporate tax rate of 12.5%.

The IMDO is the Irish government agency which provides support and advice to Maritime companies setting up operations in Ireland. In his forward to the report, IMDO Director Liam Lacey says 'this publication provides independent validation of Ireland's status as a world class location in which to conduct business and more particularly, sets Ireland apart as a hub for maritime commerce'.

As a country, Ireland continues to maintain its reputation as a pro-business environment that has attracted investment from some of the world's largest companies over the past three decades.

In Forbes' 2014 annual ranking of the Best Countries for Business, Ireland was named number one country in the world for business.

More recently, figures released by the Irish Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the national economy grew by more than seven times the EU average between April and June 2014. This is the strongest growth rate recorded in Ireland since the early 2000's, showing a strong and stable recovery.

Continuing in this vein, the Irish Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) predict that Ireland's GNP is to grow by approximately 5% in 2014 and 5.3% in 2015.

Irish Tonnage Tax: Opportunities for the International Shipping Industry is available to download by clicking HERE

For more information on the report and locating a maritime operation in Ireland, contact Rebecca Wardell by calling +353 (0)1 476 6518 / +353 (0)87 798 0089 or email: [email protected]

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Shipping Market Review includes the following stories as previously reported on Afloat.ie, Dublin Port's Record Trade and Record Profits at Shannon Foynes Port Company plus stories below and more from the IMDO.

Shannon Estuary: Shannon Foynes Port Company- Seeking Deepwater Facility Operators – SFPC is beginning to recruit commercial operators for new deepwater facilities. It is planning to develop the facilities to handle the increase in the size of cargo vessels. Their maximum size is expected to go from 80,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes from next year as a result of the deepening of the Panama Canal, which will allow shipping companies to use much larger craft.

Container Market: Maersk secures 2M alliance approval in the US - The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on Thursday approved an alliance that will carry about one-third of all cargo across the world's busiest ocean trade routes, made up of the world's two biggest container-shipping companies in terms of capacity. The so- called 2M alliance unites Maersk Line, a unit of Danish conglomerate A.P. Møller-Mærsk, and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co.

Capacity: Capacity threat will cloud the next 12-18 months - Rates in global shipping could rise, but only moderately, in the next 12-18 months, and capacity will outstrip demand and limit the ability of shipping lines in three sectors to improve their operating earnings. Supply in the dry bulk sector is problematic as deliveries this year have been delayed. If the delays persist through 2015, it could aid the rates scenario. However, if they are simply pushed into next year, it could hurt.

For more on each of the above stories and other reports featured on the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 41) click HERE..

In addition to Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping News coverage.