#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.

#FrenchFrigate - FS Primauguet (D644), a French Navy 70 class anti-submarine frigate which last month undertook exercises in the Norwegian fjords, docked in Dublin Port for a four-day visit and is understood to be the first foreign caller this year, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 139metres long vessel commissioned in 1986, has a crew of more than 500 who were deployed in Norwegian waters to operate with corvette Ravera as part of 'Operation Mangoose' .The 30-knot capable frigate's primary arsenal are excocet missiles and she carries up to 2 Lynx helicopters.

She berthed this morning at Ocean Pier, where the frigate is visible to motorists using the East-Link toll-lift bridge and notably can be seen from the Poolbeg Yacht Boat Club with its marina facilities facing the main channel of Dublin Port.

#DublinPort - Significant growth in all categories of Dublin Port business was recorded during 2013. Up until last year, the port had experienced three flat years from 2010 and this is the first year in which there has been organic growth.

The headline figures are as follows:

Total volume is up 3.0% for the year at 28.8m gross tonnes
• Imports (17.3m gross tonnes) performed strongly with 4.4% growth
• Exports (11.5m gross tonnes) grew at the lower rate of 1.1%
• Port volumes are now at 93.2% of pre-recession (2007) levels.

Specific sectorial performance was as follows:
• Unitised trade (Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo) increased by 2.7%
• Bulk commodities increased by 4.3%. This included an increase in bulk liquids (mainly petroleum products) of 2.5% and an increase in bulk solids (with animal feed and cereals the largest commodities) of 9.0%
• Trade vehicle imports increased by 15.3% to 53,000

On the tourism and passenger side, the port also recorded growth:
Ferry passengers increased by 0.3% to 1.6m
• Tourist vehicles on ferries increased by 3.5% to 0.4m
• Cruise business hit a new record of 100 ships with 152,000 visitors

#Docklands - Local business interests and marine authorities are mooting ambitious new plan to construct a dozen pontoons along the River Liffey in Dublin's Docklands in 2014.

The Sunday Times last weekend reported that the €4 million scheme, put forward by the Docklands Business Forum, has the backing of the Dublin Port Company and Waterways Ireland as well as Dublin City Council.

It forms part of the port's 30-year 'masterplan' and is intended to revive the Royal and Grand Canals that feed into the Liffey on the north and south sides respectively, and encourage visiting yachts to moor closer to the city centre.

"The Docklands has a huge resource for boats which we just need to improve," said the forum's chief executive Alan Robinson.

Among those suggested improvements is the refurbishing of Camden Lock on the Grand Canal Basin - but first in line are the pontoons, which were a temporary feature of the capital during last year's Tall Ships Festival.

The intention is to make these pontoons a permanent fixture between the East Link Bridge and the Samuel Beckett Bridge, to "generate a new type of activity in the city" in an area that recently hosted its first annual Riverfest, not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime FlightFest.

#DublinPortQ3 – Dublin Port Company have published statistics detailing the volumes handled through the port for the third quarter of 2013.

Today's publication is the start of a regular series of statistics which Dublin Port Company will publish every three months.

These statistics will be published within ten days of the end of each quarter and will provide an early indication of trends in imports and exports and trends in tourism volumes at Ireland's biggest port.

The statistics for the third quarter of 2013 show cargo volumes ahead as follows:
• Imports +5.9%
• Exports +4.1%
• Total volume +5.2%

Having seen a slow first quarter (with tonnage behind -2.5% by comparison to 2012), Dublin Port has now had six months of continuous growth in both imports and exports. Cargo volumes after nine months are +3.1% ahead of 2012.

Commenting on today's publication, Eamonn O'Reilly, Chief Executive said:

"Dublin Port is the largest port in the country and handles goods in all cargo modes. Dublin is also the country's largest port for passengers both on ferries and on cruise ships. In a time when there is so much attention to economic trends, we hope that this new series of quarterly statistics will give an early indication of trends across a range of sectors in the economy.

"The growth in port volumes in the last six months is the first significant positive trend we have seen in over three years.

"At 3.1% for the first nine months of 2013, we are running ahead of the 2.5% long-term growth rate we assumed in our Masterplan 2012 to 2040. This performance underpins the necessity for us to plan the provision of additional port capacity in Dublin to support the country's return to economic growth."

Click this link to consult the full Q3 figures for 2013

#DublinPortCENTRE – Open House Dublin (4-6 October) is to feature the Port Centre, the headquarters of Dublin Port Company which is among 100 buildings celebrating opening its doors to the public next weekend.

The Port Centre designed by Architects Niall Scott, Scott Tallon Walker will be open on both Saturday 5 (10am-5pm) and Sunday 6 (12noon-5pm).

The building was actually commissioned for the predecessor of Dublin Port Company, the Dublin Port and Docks Board (DP&DB) which intended the building with a strong visual presence in the port.

The six-storey building dating from 1981 sits on a raised podium with the top floor dedicated to plant and ancillary accommodation, while four floors provide office space with spectacular views over the city.

At the time of construction the Board undertook extensive consultation on modern office configurations and the building was designed to embrace change and innovation. The structure is expressed externally in pre-cast concrete columns and beams.

Last tour of the Port Centre is 30 minutes prior to closing. Tours based on a first-come basis, so just turn up and look out for Open House Dublin volunteers.

Location: Alexandra Road East Wall, (approximately mid-way between the East-Link Bridge and Port Tunnel).

Public Transport: Dublin Bus Route(s): 53/151 to East Wall Road or take the LUAS (Red Line) to the Point from city centre location stops at Connolly Station and Busaras.

As previously reported last week, the headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) in Dun Laoghaire Harbour is also open to viewing next weekend.