#ShippingReview – Over the last fortnight, Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene, where Cork based Ardmore Shipping named two of their latest newbuild product chemicals tankers at a South Korean shipyard.

According to the IMDO's Weekly Shipping Market Review, Maersk Line, is looking to change its path for the trade lane of Asia to US East Coast, by opting for the Suez Canal as opposed to the current Panama Canal.

In addition the IMDO review reports that Ireland has been ranked the world's third most globalised economy in terms of GDP, and the most globalised nation in the western world, according to Ernst and Young. As for the European Short Sea Market, this has been summarised as "steady/flat", according to HC Shipping & Chartering".

The cargsoship Blue Tune (2010/3,845grt) which currently is docked in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, is understood to have arrived with the final batch of fermentation tanks bound for the Guinness brewery plant in Dublin.

#Shipping-Cork headquartered Ardmore Shipping, has named the two newest vessels to join its fleet, the Ardmore Seavaliant and the Ardmore Seaventure. The pair were built by South Korean company SPP Shipbuilding.

The ceremonies for the 49,999dwt IMO 3 product and chemical tankers took place at SPP's Dukpo and Sacheon shipyards in South Korea.

Ardmore Seavaliant is to start her career with US transportation company, Cargill, on a 12-month charter arrangement. For more on this story, The Motorship reports.

#PORTS & SHIPPING REVIEW - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the Shipping scene where the Port of Cork Company posted an operating profit before exceptional costs of €1.3 million – down by €700,000 from 2010 – on a turnover of €21.4 million.

Dublin Port welcomed a new cruise operator, MSC Cruises when the 59,000 tonnes MSC Lirica made her maiden 'Irish' port of call, which was followed by visit to Cobh in mid-August. On the same day of MSC Lirica's call to the capital, P&O Cruises Adonia became the second caller so far this season to Foynes on the Shannon Estuary.

The luxury liner returned to Dublin yesterday, coinciding with The Tall Ships Race Festival and where today the fleet set off with the highlight of the 'Parade of Sail' which passed off Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Howth Peninsula. The Ecuadorian Navy's barque Guayas lead the parade, as they sailed past the anchored guardship L.E. Emer offshore of the harbour mouth.

For the first time the National Maritime Museum of Ireland in Dun Laoghaire, broke tradition by opening its doors to the public on Mondays, and this will remain so to the end of the summer.

The heavylift cargo-ship HHL Valparasio (2010/17,634grt), believed to be the largest vessel ever to dock in Fenit, Co. Kerry, loaded two ship-to-shore container cranes built by the Liebherr factory outside Killarney, which were bound for the Elizabeth Port, New Jersey in the US.

Also in the same county, the luxury 5-star cruiseship Hebridean Princess was on a 7-night cruise tour of the south-west coast based out of Cobh, where passengers had flown in from the UK. The cruise was unusual in that the ports were all concentrated in that region.

Also based out of Cork is the headquarters of Ardmore Shipping Ltd, whose first of four product tankers was marked by a keel-laying ceremony at a South Korean shipyard.

Single-route operator Celtic Link Ferries chartered ro-pax Celtic Horizon, is running her first peak-season sailings since introduced on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route in October last year.

During this week the Naval Service detained an Irish registered trawler in relation to alleged breaches of technical fishing regulations offshore of Ballycotton. The OPV L.É. Niamh (P52) escorted the vessel to Cork. This followed another detainment off Ballycotton and again an Irish trawler, for the same reasons, when the CPV L.É. Ciara (P42) escorted the vessel also to Cobh.

#PORTS & SHIPPING – Gery Docherty, Technical Superintendent at Ardmore Shipping Ltd spoke of the importance of the human component in technical performance management at last month's 'Propulsion & Emissions Conference 2012' organised by The Motorship.

Among the conference guest speakers were representatives of the IMO, European Commission and Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport also were in attendance.

Docherty also delivered a clear message to delegates for the need for the shipping industry to prepare for the impending 2015 sulphur regulations, which will see far tighter limits on sulphur emissions in designated Emission Control Areas.

In addition he provided an overview of the options available, including low sulphur fuel products, exhaust gas cleaning systems and LNG as a ship's fuel.

However, as well as technology solutions, Ardmore Shipping which currently has newbuilds on order from South Korea, belief in the importance of the human element in every aspect of management. This covers plant, generator, fuel oil systems and bunker performance management, along with the enduring value of basic skills and the essential role played by all stakeholders: owners, technical managers, superintendents and crew members.

Docherty also stressed that non-compliance with the 2015 regulations is not an option. He also outlined the considerations for Ardmore Shipping as it prepares to meet the challenges posed by the MARPOL Annex VI amendments, which take effect on 1 January 2015.

#IRISH CADETSHIPS – Ardmore Shipping Ltd which operates a fleet of tankers on a global basis is taking part in the Irish Cadet Training Programme run by the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Irish registered company only set-up its international fiscal operations in 2010 at the group's head-office based in Cork. The company has provided a number of berths on its vessels for cadets in order to give them the hands-on experience that is such a vital part of their training.

One of the cadets studying at NMCI is Ian Fitzpatrick from Dublin who said: "I am very grateful for the opportunity given to me to work with a company like Ardmore Shipping on an Irish owned vessel".

Ireland has a long tradition of seafaring and with new companies like Ardmore Shipping they will give the opportunities to Irish cadets to learn and progress in their careers says the NMCI.

Ardmore is expanding its fleet with an order for four 50,000 dwt product and chemical tankers from the SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, South Korea. The newbuilds are due to be completed next year and to be registered in the Marshall Islands.

#IMERC CONFERENCE - The recently established Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC) which is to promote the country as a world-renowned research and development location, is to host next month its inaugural conference entitled 'Maritime Geostrategic Thinking for Ireland'.

Minster for Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. will address the conference at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), Ringaskiddy, Co, Cork which is to be held on Friday 9th March.

In addition to keynotes speakers addressing the conference are Glenn Murphy (IMDO), Commodore Mellett of the Naval Service, Anthony Gurnee from Ardmore Shipping, Helen Noble, Head of Maritime Law at Matheson Ormsby and Prentice and Professor D John Mangan from the University of Newcastle.

Below is a programme schedule of the conference and additional information and link.

Session 1: Fighting recession by supporting an export led economy

Session 2: Building maritime security capability in support of economic development

Session 3: Future of Maritime Ireland

Session 4: IMERC Industry Engagement

To make a booking and receive further details on the conference contact IMERC Tel: (021) 433 5717  or by clicking HERE.

IMERC is based on the campus grounds of NMCI which is located between the Naval Service Base on Haulbowline Island and the neighbouring ferryport in Ringaskiddy.

Under phrase 1 of IMERC's campus development plans, it aims for the construction of the UCC National Beaufort Centre by May 2013. Phase 2 of the campus is for an extended maritime and energy science and commercial park located on the adjacent Port of Cork owned landbank.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited the Marine Institute's research vessel RV Celtic Explorer in Dublin Port today, where he announced the creation of 92 jobs in the marine sector, writes Jehan Ashmore.

"Ireland is now recognised as an emerging power in Marine Research and Innovation," said the Taoiseach. Of the new positions, 64 will be generated in the seafood processing sector. This follows a €3.5m Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). In the area of marine research, 28 jobs have been created through funding of €2m from an International SmartOcean Graduate Programme.

SmartOcean is a collaboration between IRCSET (Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology), the Marine Institute, five Irish universities and key multinationals and SME Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to provide funding for 28 research posts.

The Taoiseach said: "This has been achieved through the mapping of the 90% of Irish national territory that lies under the Atlantic, the creation of a quarter of a billion Euros worth of marine research infrastructure, and the fostering of strong linkages between industry and research centres, all of which will support employment opportunities in key areas of potential growth in the marine sector."

During the tour of the RV Celtic Explorer, the Taoiseach who was accompanied by Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney, welcomed the expansion of Ireland's capabilities in the international shipping services sector, which is expected to attract additional jobs to the country.

Ireland's emerging international shipping services sector has continued to grow, underpinned by a number of investments in new and second hand ships over the last twelve months by such companies as Arklow Shipping and the Mainport Group, as well as foreign direct investments by D'Amico and Ardmore shipping.

As reported on Afloat.ie, RV Celtic Explorer had arrived yesterday into Dublin Port, having completed a fisheries demersal survey which started in Galway on 23 September. Initially she had docked at Ocean Pier but she subsequently shifted berths to Sir John Rogersons Quay for today's reception of An Taoiseach. According to her survey schedule she is due to depart tomorrow on a herring acoustic survey which is to take place in the Celtic Sea and off the south-west coast.

The act is designed to assist in securing the future of the Irish shipping sector in which five new companies in 2010 entered the scheme, generating an increase of 44% in the number of vessels (from 154 to 177) covered by the Tonnage Tax. Half of these vessels range less than five years old with the total average age at eight years.

In addition the initiative has directly created 314 jobs in 2009 to nearly 350 jobs last year. Most of the employment is in specialised areas such finance,technical management, operations and chartering.

Commenting on the data, IMDO Director Glenn Murphy said "The results are a positive indication that after long periods of decline for the industry that policy support measures have encouraged investment which has led to growth and new employment. We are optimistic that direct employment
in the high value professional shipping services sector could double over the next five years leading to further investment and job creation opportunities"

The majority of Irish-based ship-owning firms operating within the ITT scheme are not entirely reliant on the Irish economy for their daily core revenue streams but are instead employed in the international shipping markets.

In 2010 the global shipping business had total charter trading transactions estimated at $450 billion dollars. It was a year in which the shipping markets continued to be quite volatile with most sectors still recovering from large charter earnings declines over the previous 12 months. Overall Irish firms were quite resilient in their ability to compete last year.

The growth in this sector in Ireland has been driven by established Irish-owned companies Arklow Shipping Ltd (ASL) and the Mainport Group and inward investment has come from D'Amico and Ardmore Shipping. The chemical and products tanker fleet operator located its headquarters to Cork last year and the company is backed by a large US private equity firm.

To read more from the report, you can request a copy by contacting the IMDO by e-mailing [email protected]

The newbuilds contracts are for a pair of 17,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) chemical tankers which will be IMO II classified. The 144m twins have a beam of over 22m and a draft of 9m and they will be around 9,000 gross tonnes.

Both the newbuilds were ordered from the Hamburg-based Hellespont in 2009 and are the last in a series of eight tankers being built by the Sekwang Shipbuilding facility in South Korea. The newbuilds are expected to be delivered in April and July 2012.

In the second separate deal Ardmore Shipping has agreed to charter the Hellespont Commander and Hellespont Crusader (photo) which are also 17,000 dwt IMO II chemical tankers for a one year period with an option to extend the charter for a further year. The 2010 built vessels will enter the Navig8 Brizo-8 chemical tanker pool for trade and commodity chemicals.

Anthony Gurnee, CEO of Ardmore Shipping Ltd, commented: "We are very pleased to have taken on the contracts with Sekwang Shipbuilding for these two newbuild vessels, which will join our fleet next year, and with our charter agreement for the Hellespont Commander and the Hellespont Crusader."

The chartered vessels join the Ardmore Shipping which brings the fleet to six ships which include: Ardmore Centurion, Ardmore Seatrader, Ardmore Seamaster and Ardmore Seafarer.

When the two newbuild vessels enter service in 2012, Ardmore Shipping will still be in expansive mode as they have ordered two 51,000 dwt double hull IMO III chemical/product tankers for delivery in 2012 and 2013.

Ardmore Shipping Ltd manages the activities of the Ardmore Shipping Group, which is engaged in the ownership and operation of chemical and products tankers trading on a worldwide basis. The Irish registered company runs its global fiscal operations from the group's head-office based in Cork.

Like the existing fleet, the newbuilds are also to be registered in Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, a republic nation in the Pacific Ocean. The Micronesian nation of atolls and islands attained independence 25 years ago under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.

Last month, two vessels entered service for the company, the Ardmore Centurion (2005 / 28,987 dwt) formerly the Elisa, is to date the company's only joint chemical and products tanker. The second December debutant was the slightly older, Ardmore Seatrader (2002 / 47,141 dwt) a products tanker, formerly the St. Georg. In fact both vessels were handed over within a 12-hour timeframe and on opposite sides of the world.

When the second newbuild is completed in 2013, this will bring to three the number of chemical and product tankers in service, with the Ardmore Centurion, which was also built in South Korea but at the STX Shipyard Jinhae. The Ardmore Seatrader, built by the Onomichi shipyard in Japan, now forms the third product-only tanker, out of the four-strong mixed vessel type fleet.

This leaves the two remaining product tankers, the Ardmore Seamaster (2004 / 45,840 dwt) which entered service in October. The vessel was the former Formosa 12 and was also built in Japan but at the Shin Kurushima shipyard. She will be employed under a long-term charter to D/S Norden of Copenhagen.

The last vessel of the Ardmore Shipping Group fleet, is the Ardmore Seafarer (2004 / 45,744 dwt) which entered service in July. The former Zoa Express, was completed at the Minami-Nippon Usuki shipyard in Japan. She was re-named in honour of the Ardmore's seafarers and in recognition of 2010 as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Year of the Seafarer.

Interestingly that in the Year of the Seafarer, in particular for the welfare of the crew of the Ardmore Seafarer, she came under the threat of pirates!... While on route from Dar Es Salaam to Fujairah the vessel was attacked by the pirates, 1,000 (nm) nautical miles off Somalia and some 500 nm off the coast of India. Thanks to quick and decisive actions, Captain Benamu and his crew evaded capture, ensuring that the pirates were unable to seize control of the 179m (length) X 32m (breadth) vessel. To see a photograph of this vessel click the link HERE