#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where Express I, the first Ireland-Libyan serving livestock-carrier for nearly two decades was detained by the UK's Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA), leading to calls by the Irish Department of Agriculture to revoke the licence of the 7,089 tonnes vessel.

A newbuild oil products tanker, King Fisher docked in Dublin Port, the 7,072dwt double-hulled vessel is operated by James Fisher Everard of Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria. The vessel was built by Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania which also completed Commissioners of Irish Lights ILV Granuaile.

The excellent high adrenaline Oscar nominated film 'Captain Phillips' about the pirated containership Maersk Alabama (1998/14,120grt), saw a fleetmate of the US flagged vessel dock in the Port of Cork a year after the 'Banana Boat' trade returned to the harbour.

Higher revenues and operating profits for Irish Continental Group (ICG) last year see container operation EUCON and Irish Ferries take a positive outlook for 2014 with passengers numbers and  freight volumes.

Rivals Stena Line surprise acquisition of Celtic Link Ferries Rosslare-Cherbourg service is set to increase the heat on the continental market. Final details are being concluded around the deal which Stena Line hopes to be in a position to take over the running of the thrice-weekly operated route with effect from Monday 31 March.