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#QuinnCement - Quinn Cement and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority have announced the opening of a new cement export hub at the Co. Down port.

The £2.5 million investment reflects a 10-year deal between the Cavan-based company and WHA. Final commissioning of the new facility was completed at the end of last month.

The export hub, which has an operational capacity of 7,500 tonnes will be dedicated to the export of bulk cement from the Quinn Cement operations in Ireland. The investment is a key pillar in Quinn Cement’s growth agenda for its GB operations and complements a £1.3 million upgrade to the Quinn Cement GB import facility in Rochester, Kent.

Commenting on the development Dara O’Reilly, CFO of Quinn Industrial Holdings said “This is an important and timely development for the business ahead of Brexit. It will allow Quinn Cement to strengthen our supply chain for bulk product, accommodate more flexible transport from our production facility in Co. Cavan and enhance the competiveness and sustainability of our operations on both islands. It also represents an endorsement of our working relationship with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority who have been extremely good to work with.

“Importantly, we believe this investment will help sustain and grow jobs at Quinn Cement and underpin economic activity on both sides of the border and in the south of England.”

Commenting on the development Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Chief Executive, Peter Conway said “The Port is delighted to consolidate the excellent trading relationship with Quinn Cement with the opening of the new export hub at the harbour. This investment and 10-year deal demonstrates the long term commitment of both parties to the successful business venture and is a major enhancement to the port’s trade."

"The Quinn Cement venture is a further demonstration of the Port working as an economic driver creating prosperity and jobs in the local economy and the Authority wishes Quinn every success in the future growth of its business.” added the Chief Executive. 

Published in Warrenpoint Port

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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