#Ports&Shipping – The latest Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) Weekly Market Review includes the following stories outlined below.

Irish Maritime News: LE Eithne rescues migrants off Libya coast as reported on Afloat- After Government deployment of a Naval Service vessel to undertake humanitarian search and rescue missions, it has just completed its first rescue mission.

Global Maritime News: Dry Bulk Carrier Orders Crash to A Twenty Year Low - In the last four months dry bulk orders have fallen to 0.4m dwt per month, the lowest level since the 1990s. This is a massive 98% reduction from the 23m dwt peak in orders in December 2007, and probably the sharpest decline in recent decades. Not really a surprise in a market where Capesize bulkers are struggling to earn $4,000/day, but a timely relief to investors with ships on the orderbook.

Liberian Registry strengthens position as safest major flag by investing in new technology - The Liberian Registry has developed a unique satellite-based Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) which has helped ensure regulatory compliance and prevent detentions in some of the world's most active Port State Control (PSC) areas.

For more of each of the above stories and much more click the IMDO Market Review (Week 20) here.

In addition to further dedicated coverage visit Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping news.

#Ports&Shipping – The latest Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) Weekly Market Review includes the following stories outlined below.

Irish Maritime News: 10,000 Marine Jobs by 2020- The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has advised the Government to upskill younger workers to support the 10,000 new jobs the marine economy will create by 2020.

Ardmore Shipping Corporation Announces - Financial Results for Quarter 1 2015 -Ardmore reported EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $8.2 million from $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

US Awards First Cuba Ferry Permits - Up to six companies have been awarded licences to operate ferry services between the US and Cuba, the first in more than 50 years. It is understood that the licences are broad in scope, leaving specific routes, frequencies and number of vessels open and apparently up to the operator.

For more of each of the above stories and much more click the IMDO Market Review (Week 19) here.

In addition to further dedicated coverage visit Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping news.

#Ports&Shipping - The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as outlined below. 

Irish Maritime News: New Leadership in Seatruck – As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Seatruck Ferries have announced that Alistair Eagles will be appointed CEO of Seatruck Ferries Ltd with effect from 7 May 2015.

At the same time, Ole Frie will be stepping down from his position as Chairman for Seatruck, and Kristian Morch will become the new Chairman of the Board.

Holyhead-Dublin Ferry: Record Numbers of Passengers Catch Holyhead to Dublin Ferry - A record number of people caught the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin last year. Some 1.88 million people made the trip in 2014 — the highest annual figure since 2003, which was 1.35mn meaning its popularity has increased nearly 40% in just over a decade.

Global Maritime News: Greeks Interested in Chinese Land-Sea Bridge - Greek government officials have underlined the cash-strapped country's interest in exploring further co-operation with China in logistics and transport infrastructure, following Cosco's investment in the port of Piraeus.

Operated under a 35-year concession, the Chinese-run part of the terminal increased its profit last year by nearly 26% to about $29m.

Shipping Confidence: Hits Two-and-a-Half Year Low on Fears about Over tonnaging and Low Oil Prices - Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry fell during the three months to February 2015 to their lowest level for two-and-a-half years, according our Hellenic Shipping News.

For more of each of the above stories and much more click the IMDO Market Review (Week 14) HERE.

In addition to further coverage from Afloat.ie's dedicated Ports & Shipping news by clicking HERE.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Maritime News: €50m port plan for super-tankers - A €50m plan for Foynes port will enable a new era of super-tankers to berth there and turn the Shannon Estuary into a world shipping hub.

Work will commence next month on the first €12.5m phase of the plan, the infilling of nearly 3.5 acres adjacent to the port's East Jetty. Funding will come from the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) reserves with some external funding. Private-sector developments at the port costing €26m have already been announced for the port.

ICG on the rise: Profit for the year jumped to €56m from €26.8m in 2013 as revenue grew 10% to €290.1m. The company was boosted by the addition of the 26,375-gt Epsilon and lower fuel costs. It raised the company's status to "buy" and it explained ICG could be free from its current €61.3m net debt in less than three years.

EU Study LNG: European Commissions' study on LNG as a shipping fuel shows industry's support -The European Commission presented the preliminary results of a study on the perception of the risks and opportunities of LNG as a shipping fuel. The results show that stakeholders recognise the environmental advantages of LNG as a shipping fuel, but are still uncertain whether they offer a clear business case.

EU Shipping Importance: Updated study highlights economic importance of EU shipping - ECSA presented the results of a recent update of the Oxford Economics study on the economic value of the EU shipping industry, which highlights the industry's important contribution to the EU economy based on new and more reliable data.

For more on each of the above and other stories click IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 10).

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

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Shipping News: The 2015 Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth annual conference will be held in Ringaskiddy and Haulbowline in Cork Harbour on the 10th and 11th July. This follows last year's inaugural event in Dublin Castle, which outlined the significant progress made to date in implementing the Government's 2012 Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth: An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland.

Global Maritime News: Top UK shipping experts to advise government on maritime opportunity Top UK shipping executives with plenty of international experience are to join an advisory panel set up by the government to explore future opportunities for the country's maritime industries. It is felt that the only way to fully capitalise on the study was to utilise the experience and expertise of the country's industry leaders.

Port Congestion: Port congestion has provided the containership charter market with a huge boost in rates in recent weeks, while also keeping the inactive boxship fleet at low levels. The inactive boxship fleet stood at just 1.2% of the total containership fleet, representing 225,223 teu. This is far below the levels normally recorded at this time of year, when the inactive fleet tends to balloon for the quieter winter period.

For more on each of the above and other stories click IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 6).

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

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Shipping News: Dublin Port 2014 Record Year - As reported on Afloat.ie, Dublin Port Company published trade statistics for 2014 which show a record year for trade, with Y-O-Y growth of 7.0%. Total throughput for 2014 was 31 million gross tonnes with 7,108 ship arrivals in the year, bringing the port's activity back to the record levels of 2007.

Global Maritime News: Shanghai port busiest container port for 2014 - The Port of Shanghai has taken the crown as the world's busiest container port for the fifth year in a row as the port authority announced a 2014 throughput of 35.29m teu. Last year's box volumes rose by 4.5% compared to 33.77m teu recorded in 2013.

Bunker Price Fall: Owners saving $9,000 per day on bunker fuel - Falling bunker prices are saving shipowners around $9,000 per day, according to international shipowners association BIMCO. On average, a ship consumes around 30 tonnes of bunker fuel a day, so July's high price of $600 per tonne would cost an owner with a vessel on a spot charter around $18,000 per day.

For more on each of the above and other stories click IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 3). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Shipping News: Hearing into proposed Galway Harbour expansion taking place - A preliminary hearing into a proposed expansion of Galway Harbour has been taking place ahead of the full An Bord Pleanála oral hearing. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the planned development would cost €126m. The first module will deal with issues relating to ecology and hydrology. Subsequent modules will look at other issues and include questioning and cross-examination of witnesses.

Global Maritime News: Port of Antwerp set for record year - The Port of Antwerp is expecting container volume growth to help drive the port to a year of record volumes. Europe's third busiest container port's estimated throughput figures show it is likely to handle 8.96m teu this year, an increase of 4.5% compared with 2013. As a result, the port is likely to break the 9m teu mark over the coming 12 months.

China outlines 2020 roadmap to develop China shipping sector  - China's ministry of transport has spelled out a roadmap to 2020 on the development of its shipping industry, in a bid to raise the sector's level of services and global competitiveness. The seven-page guideline broadly states that China will focus on improving its policies to benefit shipping enterprises, sharpening technology and innovation, boosting financial services and strengthening ancillary services.

Panama Canal announces new toll structure - The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a proposal for a new toll structure and is inviting formal comments on the tolls. A public hearing will take place on 27 February, written comments must be received by the deadline of 9 February at 1615hrs, local time.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 2). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.

#Port&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish Ports: Cork Harbour to Get €1bn Makeover into 'Sydney of Europe' - Over 100 years of under-investment and problematic industrial projects has left Cork with a depressing harbour legacy. Now, however, under a landmark redevelopment programme by Marine Minister Simon Coveney, the aim is to transform Cork into the 'Sydney of Europe' by the end of 2018.

Global Maritime News: Long Beach and LA seek FMC permission to work together on congestion - The US west coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have filed a petition with the US Federal Maritime Commission that will enable them to work together to help ease the flow of cargo. The ports want to collaborate with each other on matters including rail operations, chassis supply and storage, vessel calls, truck turn times and marine terminal operations.

Chinese Ports: China further deregulates port tariffs - China has moved closer to fully deregulating port tariffs in the government’s latest market-based reform, which analysts said will have positive but limited impact on terminal firms’ business operations. The Chinese transport ministry and National Development and Reform Commission will not set mandatory or guideline prices for terminal operators handling containers, dry bulk and passengers from next January.

European Banks: In search for yield, European banks hop back on board shipping industry - European banks are resuming lending to shipping companies after staying away from the industry since the financial crisis, as seen on Hellenic Shipping News. Germany, British, French and Norwegian banks were traditionally predominant lenders to the capital-intensive industry until 2008, when the crisis sent several high-profile lenders into distress, leaving their shipping portfolios with non-performing loans.

Irish Exports: Ireland granted full access to US beef market - Ireland is to be the first European country to be granted full access for its beef in the US market after the US lifted a ban on European beef imports. The ban had been in place for almost 16 years, since the BSE crisis in the 1990s. The announcement represents a multi-million euro boost for the Irish beef industry.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 1). In addition to dedicated coverage Afloat.ie's Port & Shipping news section.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Global Shipping & Ports: Over-tonnage and ECAs Drag Shipping Confidence to Two-Year Low Confidence among the shipping industry has dropped to its lowest point in two years, spurred by on- going uncertainty over markets, upcoming sulphur regulations, and over-tonnage. The results, which ranks confidence on a scale from 1-10, showed that overall levels dropped to 5.7 from 6.1 in the three months leading to November.

UNCTAD: Greece, Japan, China and Germany are still the dominant world fleet ship-owners - Japan, China and Germany are at the forefront of many rankings, such as the world's largest economies, largest manufacturers, largest traders. Greece is nowhere near attaining those characteristics, and is often one of the smallest. However, the Greek-owned fleet of ships remains at the top of the global ranking of ship-owning nations.

Obama Ports Negotiations: Obama under pressure to step in on port negotiations - US President Barack Obama is under increasing pressure to take action on the west coast port negotiations after a group of seven members of congress urged him to step in. A letter written by the seven members of congress has urged President Barack Obama to encourage the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to use a federal mediator.

Rotterdam Dockers: Dockers unite against Dutch automation plans - European dockers joined forces this week in Rotterdam to protest against the port's plans to expand as concerns over job losses on the back of increasing automation mount. This comes as ITF-affiliated union FNV Havens expressed its concern over the potential loss of employment and reduced working conditions as a result of an increase in automation and the expansion in capacity from Rotterdam World Gateway.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 51). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.

#Ports&Shipping –The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories as detailed below.

Irish News: Sligo Harbour Dredging Difficulties - Earlier this year, the Department of the Environment granted a licence to Sligo council to allow them to undertake dredging works at Sligo Harbour. However, Councillors were told that the money required for the next stage of Sligo Harbour acquiring its Dumping at Sea Licence was not available.

Legislation: IMO Council agrees recommendations to reduce administrative burdens - The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Council agreed on a number of recommendations for action on the administrative burdens that may result from compliance with IMO instruments. The consultation gathered data from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. IMO recognizes that some administrative requirements may have become unnecessary, disproportionate or even obsolete, and is committed to reducing their impact.

Tanker Markets: Storage Boom for Tankers from Oil Price Collapse - The oil price drop will hand tanker markets an unexpected bonus next year, boosting demand for oil storage at sea while distant eastern markets also bargain-hunt fuel and need shipping. Supertanker rates are already close to five-year highs of over $83,000 a day - helped by a drop in shipping fuel bunker prices.

International Ports & Shipping: Safeguarding the Arctic -The US Coast Guard has proposed a new shipping channel in the Bering Strait to protect Arctic seas. The 4.6-mile-wide route will be a two-way voluntary scheme stretching hundreds of miles as traffic increases in the area.

Alliances: Mega-alliance Agreements - From early next year the east – west container shipping trades will be almost completely dominated by four alliances. The 2M the vessel sharing agreement between Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) recently unveiled its service network which will be phased in from mid-January, as will the Oceans Three alliance of CMA CGM, UASC and China Shipping.

For more on each of the above and other stories click the IMDO Weekly Markets Review (Week 50). In addition to dedicated coverage on Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping News section.