Two training-ships based on the east coast of the United States are to make calls at Cobh in mid-summer, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The call is part of a 55-day training cruise that will include ports in the Mediterranean and also US domestic ports. The itinerary includes Norfolk, Vaginia (6-9 May), Valetta, Malta (25-28 May), Civitavecchia, Italy (31 May-3 June ) Cobh (12-16 June) and to Portland, Maine 25-26 June.

Students, officers and crew will be onboard the 16,000 tonnes State of Maine which is a 500-foot long former oceanographic vessel that served in the US Navy as the USNS Tanner. In 1997 she was converted to accommodate the training needs of the college.

The Maine Maritime Academy was founded in 1941 and enrolls more than 900 students from 35 states and from several foreign countries. Students in the college are awarded A.S., B.S., and M.S. degrees in 15 fields of study.

State of Maine is scheduled to berth at the Port of Cork's deepwater quay at the Cobh Cruise Terminal which is expected to welcome over 50 cruiseships and 100,000 visitors this season. The vessel's departure will be followed by the arrival of the second training-ship the 17,000 tonnes Empire State on 22 June which is to make a shorter two-day stopover.

Since 1989 she has been operated by State University of the New York Maritime College which annually takes cadets across the world onboard the 565-foot vessel to learn the skills in running the ship and the maritime industry.

The former cargoship was built for the States Steamship Company in 1961 as the Oregan at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, in Newport News, Virginia. Despite conversion for her current role she retains most of her original features and she presents a distinctive profile with the superstructure positioned amidships between the cargo-holds.

The winners of the 2011 Port of Cork Schools Initiative have been announced.

St John the Baptist National School in Midleton took the prize for best project in this year's contest, with the theme of ‘Making Cork Harbour a Green Energy Hub for our Future’.

Fifth classes from more than 60 primary schools in the Cork area got creative for the project, some even producing whole scale models of Cork Harbour.

Chairman of the Port of Cork, Dermot O’Mahoney, said: "We are delighted with the efforts put in by the participating schools. This is a great way of educating school children on the different forms of energy within Cork harbour while also highlighting the role of the Port of Cork."

Every participating class will be invited for a visit to Customs House in Cork city with a boat trip around the harbour before the end of the summer term. As top prize winners, pupils from St John the Baptist will get to visit one of the many luxury cruise liners that call at the port.

All projects are currently on display in the reception of Customs House.

The Port of Cork Company has announced St John the Baptist National School in Midleton as the overall winners of the 2011 Port of Cork Schools Initiative. The huge effort made by the 5th classes’ paid off when they were presented with overall best project by the Chairman of the Port of Cork, Mr. Dermot O’ Mahoney, in the boardroom at Customs House.

Over 60 schools in and around Cork were invited to take part in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative which was themed ‘Making Cork Harbour a Green Energy Hub for our Future’. All submitted projects are on public display in the reception area of Customs House.

This year’s judges; Mr. Hugh Bruton Brittany Ferries, Ms Val Cummins MERC, Mr. John Neville Port of Cork and Mr. Brian Lougheed Evening Echo all praised the huge effort and creativity made by the participating primary schools. Projects submitted were both informative and visually very creative, with some schools choosing to build a model of the entire Cork Harbour.

Ms. Val Cummins of MERC“, Maritime and Energy Research Centre and Commercial Cluster, said: “The projects submitted were inspiring. There are a lot of creative children out there who are passionate and well informed about the different forms of energy which could be harnessed within Cork Harbour. They should all be commended for their efforts.”

Commenting on the school projects, the Chairman of the Port of Cork, Mr. Dermot O’Mahoney said; ‘Congratulations to St. John the Baptist National School in Midleton for their excellent submission, it is clear every 5th class pupil went to a lot of effort researching, creating and building their project. All the projects were of a very high standard and we acknowledge and appreciate the time and commitment by the teachers. We are delighted with the efforts put in by the participating schools. This is a great way of educating school children on the different forms of energy within Cork harbour while also highlighting the role of the Port of Cork. ’

All participating classes will be invited for an informative visit to Customs House followed by a boat trip around Cork Harbour in May/June 2011.

The overall best project winners, St. John the Baptist, Midleton will get to go onboard one of the many luxurious cruise liners which call to Cork for a tour of the ship and to meet the captain.

This is the sixth year of the Port of Cork Company’s successful Primary Schools initiative.

Prizes were also awarded to the following classes;

Best Photograph – 5th Class, Templebreedy, Crosshaven
Best Artwork Piece – 5th Class, Glasheen Boys National School, Glasheen

The Port of Cork has won first place for 'Best Destination Experience (Organised)' in the world and 2nd place for 'Best Port Welcome' after attending the largest annual cruise conference 'Cruise Shipping Miami' where the 15th Annual "Dream World Cruise Destinations" 2010 Awards were announced. This achievement highlights the outstanding team effort and commitment by the Port of Cork to deliver an excellent service to the visiting cruise lines and their passengers when in Cork. Ireland Inc received a Commendation as a "Destination where the Quality and Professionalism of Tour Guides is considered outstanding".

Port of Cork CEO Brendan Keating (left) and Chairman Dermot O'Mahoney with the awards

Since the early 1990's the Port of Cork has been welcoming cruise liners to Cork Harbour and today an average of 54 cruise liners call each year bringing over 100,000 passengers and crew to the region. The Port of Cork has invested heavily in this business and has ambitious plans to grow the business to 75 calls over the next five years. Receiving these world awards shows the enormous effort by the Port of Cork to ensure new and existing cruise companies continue to call to Cork. The Port of Cork can provide excellent deep water facilities for liners in Cobh and Ringaskiddy, making it an attractive port of call for the larger liners as well as smaller liners.

The winners of 'Dream World Cruise Destinations' Annual Awards are based on surveys that are collected and analyzed from Cruise Line Executives from all of the major cruise companies. The awards, launched in 1993, announce the ports and destinations that have provided outstanding services to ships, passengers and crew. The geographical mix of large and small ports receiving awards from Dubai, Far East, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic and Americas, reflected the global nature of the business.

Speaking about the awards, Captain Michael McCarthy Commercial Manager at the Port of Cork said: "The Port of Cork is very grateful to receive these world awards. It is such an achievement not only for the Port but Cork as a region. We are fortunate to have excellent relationships with tourism providers, tour operators, Irish Rail and local tourism groups to be able to win these awards. Considerable effort goes into welcoming these liners when in Cork and we would like to share these awards with everyone who works with us on making this business work for the region. The awards will be used as a benchmark to drive growth in the cruise business, review product delivery and continue to review the berthing of small, medium and mega vessels."

He continued: "We are committed to growing the cruise liner business in Cork and winning these awards gives us the confidence to make this happen. The cruise liner business is worth an average of €8 million per annum directly to the Cork region and many businesses in the region can benefit from these vessels. The Port of Cork aims to continually work with City, County and Local Town Councils, tour operators, tourism service providers and many other local bodies to succeed in our ambitious plans for growth."

"The poignancy of the arrival of our first cruise vessel for 2011, the MV Queen Victoria, is its berthing on the 99th anniversary of the departing of the Titanic from Cobh on the 11th April 1912. Cobh's association with the Titanic will be commemorated during 2012 and already travels writers and historic groups are visiting Cobh to make its association."

In 2011, 54 cruise ships are scheduled to call to the Port of Cork facilities including the maiden call of the brand new MV Queen Elizabeth and the largest liner to call to an Irish port, MV Independence of the Seas. Over 100,000 passengers and crew will visit the Cork region during the liner season.

Captain Pat Farnan, Sara Dymond, Brendan Keating, Dermot O'Mahoney and Captain Mick McCarthy with the second award for the Port of Cork

Cruise to Cork harbour this summer? Now boaters can rleax with some top class facilities nearby. The Port of Cork and Clarion Hotel Cork are offering overnight users of the Port of Cork City Marina the use of the shower and leisure facilities in the hotel for only five Euros. By showing their marina payment receipt at the hotel, visitors will be able to avail of this great offer. Marina visitors will also be offered breakfast in the hotel if they wish as part of the promotion.

Captain Pat Farnan, Port of Cork Harbour Master said: "The Port of Cork opened this new marina in 2010 and experienced a busy summer of visitors. We are aiming to attract more local and visiting boats to the marina this summer and we feel the joint promotion with the Clarion Hotel will be very effective."

He continued: "We hope to do further promotions around the marina throughout the summer."

The Port of Cork City Marina is ideally located in the heart of Cork City offering 150 metres of berthage with 24hr security, water, and electricity and refuse facilities. The Clarion Hotel is within 100m of the Port of Cork City Marina, making it ideally located for marina users who want to use the shower facilities.

The Port of Cork City Marina is a long term investment for the City of Cork which the Port of Cork implemented as part of their Leisure and Recreation Strategy for Cork Harbour. The primary focus of the strategy is on water based Leisure and Recreation activities in and around Cork Harbour in which the Port of Cork aims to play a leading role in providing and supporting improvements of amenities in these areas.

Cork Harbour offers significant potential for further development of the marine recreation sector as an important source of enjoyment and economic gain for the local residents and visitors.  The Port of Cork, primarily providing commercial services to its customers, is conscious of its responsibility to all other stakeholders in Cork Harbour.

In Cork, the world's second largest natural harbour, it is critically important for both commercial and leisure to work together in harmony. The Port of Cork is committed to achieving this while also respecting the principles of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Operating guidelines and charges for the Port of Cork City Marina are HERE

The Port of Cork Company has announced that it intends to make amendments to their current 'Pilotage Byelaws'.

For further information about this and to download a copy of the Pilotage Byelaws click this link. In addition the port company has a draft copy of the Pilotage Byelaws which is available for collection from:

The Port of Cork Company,                                                                                                                                                                            Custom House, Custom House Street, Cork                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The port can be contacted by Tel: 021 4273125 and for other genaral information on the port logon to www.portofcork.ie

The Port of Cork Company has announced that it is unlikely that the proposed new ferry service to Spain will commence in March, writes Jehan Ashmore.

In addition to services running out of Rosslare operated by Celtic Link Ferries and Irish Ferries and the alternative option of landbridge connections to Europe via the UK.

In the meantime, the Port of Cork will continue to be in dialogue with potential operators and investor's, however in the current climate it is proving more challenging to establish the service. Yet both the port authorities in Cork and Gijon remain committed in establishing the first direct Irish-Iberia passenger ferry route, with an update on the Spanish service due in early June.

Since 2008 the port authorities of Cork and Gijón, through the Promotion of Short Sea Shipping and Co-Operation with Small Medium Enterprise's (Proppose) an EU Inter-Reg project, have conducted feasibility studies into the service.

Interest in the service to date, has shown interest from Brittany Ferries, P&O Ferries and Transfennica, a Scandinavian based operator. It was envisaged that a ro-pax type of vessel would operate the 24-hour route to Gijón in Asturias, the region which forms part of Spain's northern 'Green' coast.

The route across the Bay of Biscay would be an attraction to freight hauliers, saving mileage and reduced fuel costs in addition avoiding a weekend ban to trucks travelling through France.

Last summer the ro-pax Norman Bridge started a new route between Nantes / St. Nazaire (Montoir-de-Bretagne) and Gijón, operated by GLD Atlantique. This route received support through the EU 'Motorways of the Seas' (MOS) programme to divert vehicle traffic from congested road-infrastructure and transferred to designated shipping routes, using larger and faster ro-pax vessels.

The route's opening was marked with a declaration signed by Dominique Bussereau, the French Minister of State responsible for Transport and his Spanish counterpart Magdalena Alvarez of the first of two Franco-Spanish MOS concept routes, starting with the 14-hour GLD Atlantique service.

While all sectors at the Port of Cork experienced a challenging period during 2010, the end of year total trade traffic shows an increase. Total trade in 2010 through the Port of Cork amounted to 8.8 million tonnes, an increase of 8.6% compared to 2009.

One area of increase which has a very positive effect on the local economy is the increase in exports from the Port. Total exports at the Port of Cork have remained strong increasing by 10% to date, in comparison to 2009. Exports are a key driver in the successful recovery of the Irish Economy and the Port of Cork is committed to continuous support in the growth of international trade for both current and future economic prospects.

The container business at the Port of Cork has remained constant with over 150,000 TEU handled in 2010. Animal feed stuffs, fertiliser and other trades have shown a significant increase in 2010. Oil traffic has shown a slight increase of 3.5% as a consequence of lower levels of economic activity; however it continues to be a significant part of the Port of Cork business.

Commenting on the end of year trade traffic results, Mr Dermot O'Mahoney Chairman of the Port of Cork said: "The Port of Cork is pleased to announce that total trade traffic in 2010 has shown an 8.6 % increase on 2009 traffic. With 98% of all goods imported or exported from Ireland moved by ship, the importance of ports to our economy is vital. The Port of Cork is a key link to the continued economic success of the entire Munster region and the challenges now for the Port of Cork, is to continue to develop. This requires that we be visionary and seize opportunities presented by emerging trends and logistic supply changes."

He continued: "While the next four to five years will be challenging for us all, we need to continue to promote the fact that Ireland is an excellent investment location and is well placed to capitalise on growing global markets."

52 cruise liners visited the Port of Cork during 2010 bringing over 100,000 passengers and crew to the region. According to research carried out by UK consultants GP Wild, the average in-transit spend per passenger, while visiting an Irish port is €73. This is a significant contribution towards the local tourism economy.

Ferry passenger numbers though the port also increased mainly due to the welcomed re-commencement of the ferry service linking Cork with Swansea. The weekly ferry service from Cork to Roscoff with Brittany Ferries also had a successful year.

In 2010, the Port of Cork developed a recreational strategy to improve the marine leisure facilities around Cork Harbour. The first project carried out was the construction of a 100m marina on South Custom House Quay. This long term investment for the city of Cork has already proven to be very popular among local boats and visiting boats. The Port of Cork expects 2011 to be even busier.

Operators of the Cork-Swansea route, Fastnet Line regret to announce that tonight's (13 January) sailing from Cork to Swansea is cancelled. The company has cited technical reasons for the cancellation of the sailing. The 10-hour route linking Munster with South Wales is served by the M.V. Julia.

Fastnet Line are contacting all passengers to assist in making re-bookings or refunds. Those wishing to contact the ferry operators' reservation team for further information can contact the details listed below.

The Julia is to go into dry-dock this week in Swansea. The vessel will remain in Swansea while undergoing annual maintenance up to and including Wednesday 9th February. Her first sailing will be at 20.30hrs from Swansea to Cork on Wednesday 9th February 2011.

To contact the Fastnet Line Irish Reservations Office Tel: +353 (0) 21 4378892 (Open Monday – Friday) 9.00 am - 6.00 pm

To contact the UK Reservations Office Tel: 0844 576 8831
(Open Monday – Thursday) 8.00 am - 8.00 pm
(Open Friday) 8.00 am - 7.00 pm
(Open Saturday and Sunday) 9.00 am - 6.00pm

For further information logon to www.fastnetline.com

As artic conditions persist throughout the country, another shipment of rock-salt is due to arrive at the port of Cork tonight, writes Jehan Ashmore.

In total the National Roads Authority (NRA) will have 25,000 tonnes of salt available during the Christmas week, with 3,000 tonnes distributed to authorities on a daily basis. As a priority the salt will be used to grit the national primary network.  

The second bout of artic conditions that has gripped the country with temperatures plummeting to -17 degrees in the west and -15 degrees is forecast tonight in the north-west. Further snowfalls are also due in various regions tonight and with sub-zero temperatures expected to last up to St. Stephens Day. As such the demand for salt supplies has soared resulting in shipments sourced from overseas countries to include Turkey and Egypt.

CFL Prospect (see video-clip here) is owned by the Dutch shipping company, Kees Koolhof which since 2006 has built up a fleet of modern vessels to trade in the short-sea sector. The 2007 built vessel is one of nine Jumbo 6500s from a series completed by the Peters Shipyard at Krampen.

For the latest NRA's road weather stations logon here in addition to weather forecasts from www.met.ie