Irish Port and Shipping News

The ESPO conference is to be held this year in Bremen during 1-2 June amd will represent the European port industry and community.

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Conference 2023 Heads to Bremen, Germany

1st February 2023 Ports & Shipping

In four months time the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is gathering in Bremen,Germany for the 19th edition of its annual Conference during 1-2 June. The conference is the annual highlight of the European port industry and community as ESPO…

Ports of Milford Haven (above) and Port Talbot in south Wales say campaigners if given 'freeport' status could generate billions in investment and jobs

Celtic Freeport Among Bidders Could Generate 16,000 Jobs In Wales

30th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

The granting of a freeport status to two ports in Wales would generate billions of pounds say campaign backers. Among the three bidders is Celtic Freeport which hopes to see the south Wales ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot…

Container operators Maersk and MSC to end the 2M Alliance. Above Mette Maersk at the Port of Felixstowe, England from where feeder services link other European ports.

Container Giants Maersk and MSC to Discontinue 2M Alliance in 2025

30th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

Two container giants, Maersk A/S, an entity under A.P. Moller - Maersk and the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have mutually agreed to terminate, effective in January 2025, the present 2M alliance. In a joint statement, CEO Vincent Clerc of…

Value Maritime's emissions-reducing systems will be installed on BG Freight Line's four newbuild container vessels as part of a fleet providing feeder services linking Ireland, UK and mainland Europe.

Value Maritime's Emission Filtree Systems to Be Installed on BG Freight Line Containerships

29th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

Value Maritime is to have ship emissions-reducing Filtree Systems, including the Clean Loop 30% carbon capture systems, installed on a quartet of BG Freight Line newbuild container vessels. Purus Marine and Nordic Hamburg have placed the order with Value Maritime.…

CGI image of the world's first wind-powered ro-ro vessel, Orcelle Wind from the Oceanbird concept for primarily wind-powered vessels. The Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) for Wallenius Wilhelmsen will be 220 metres and have a capacity for over 7,000 cars, but will also be capable of carrying breakbulk and rolling equipment.

Wind-Powered RoRo Vessel to Be World First Secures EU Funding of €9m

25th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

Norwegian ro-ro operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen and project partners have secured a Horizon Europe funding totalling EUR 9m to support building a RoRo sailing vessel. Over the next five years, all aspects of planning, building, and operating the wind-powered Orcelle Wind…

Port of Liverpool is ranked the UK's top port for port-centric logistics potential in a new industry study. The north-west England port is of strategic importance to major importers and exporters of goods as it offers unrivalled connectivity to Ireland and access to a catchment area of over 35m people.

UK's Top Port for Port-Centric Logistics Potential is the Port of Liverpool

23rd January 2023 Ports & Shipping

In the UK the Port of Liverpool has been ranked as the nation's top port for port-centric logistics potential according to a new industry study. Property adviser Knight Frank analysed and ranked 41 UK ports based on 13 criteria, assessing…

Ireland's largest export market remains with the EU. Exports from and imports to Ireland increased in the first 11 months of last year. Above the 803TEU capacity container ship Samskip Express in the Port of Cork when heading upriver to the port's older and smaller Tivoli container terminal.

Ireland on Track As CSO Figures Show Record Trade Surplus

17th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

In the first 11 months of last year, exports from Ireland had reached €193bn, which was an increase of 27% compared to the same period in 2021, as the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show. During the same period,…

NI-GB trade where construction of 'protocol' border control posts is set to resume in ports among them Belfast Harbour where a ferry is berthed alongside following a sailing across the North Channel.

British Government to Bring Forward Legislation on Completing Border Control Posts at NI Ports

12th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

Legislation is to be brought forward by the British Government this week, RTÉ News understands which could see work resume in Northern Ireland ports with the construction of border control posts. The delay to works in the ports follows months…

MaritimeUK has appointed Port of London Authority (PLA) chief executive Robin Mortimer as its new chair. Above Afloat adds arriving in the Pool of London is HNLMS De Zeven Provincien, one of a flotilla of Royal Netherlands Navy vessels after a previously callling to the Port of Cork in November. The PLA looks after navigational safety on the tidal Thames and oversees port, passenger and freight operations on the river, as well as recreational events.

Maritime UK Appoints New Chair and Vice Chair

10th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

The umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, Martime UK has appointed Robin Mortimer as its new chair and Tom Boardley as vice chair. Robin was nominated by the British Ports Association and UK Major Ports Group whilst Tom was…

Register now... for the hybrid event of the NMCI's annual Seafarers Conference which takes place on 23rd February in the Castletroy Park Hotel, Co. Limerick

National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) to Host Seafarers' Conference 2023

9th January 2023 Ports & Shipping

The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) has announced the launch of its second annual Seafarers' Conference which is take place on 23 February and be held in Co. Limerick. This year's theme is 'Thriving Fishing, Thriving Offshore Wind, Thriving Ports'…

Investigation Published into Near Miss by Two Passenger Ferries At Rosslare

29th December 2022 MCIB

An investigation into a close-quarter incident involving two passenger ferries in Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford, is highly critical of port control and poor communication on the bridge of one of the ships. It also highlights failure by the Government to…

The first in a new design series of 6,800dwt cargoships for Arklow Shipping was launched today amidst this ice and snow scene of the canal and shipbuilding halls of the Royal Bodewes yard in north-east Netherlands.

First of New Series Cargoships for Arklow Shipping is Launched During Wintry Scene

16th December 2022 Shipyards

The first in a new design series for Arklow Shipping in the form of a 6,800 deadweight tonnage (dwt) cargoship was launched at a shipyard in the Netherlands during wintry conditions, writes Jehan Ashmore. The launch of shipyard newbuilding (NB#821)…

Trade figures from the CSO today, show exports of goods are running 29% higher than in 2021. Exports of medical and pharmaceutical products represent 37% of total goods exports from the State. Above AFLOAT adds of containerships outbound and inbound of Cork Harbour off Marino Point and beyond Lough Mahon that leads to the city's quays.

Exports of Irish Goods Surpass Value of Last Year’s Total in First 10 Months of 2022

15th December 2022 Ports & Shipping

Exports of Irish goods have been more in the first 10 months of 2022 when compared to the entirety of last year according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures released today. The CSO's latest unadjusted figures show goods exports in…

Celtic Freeport Bid Chair, Roger Maggs MBE was taken on a tour of multiple sites across the Port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire where he heard how the Milford Haven Waterway could play a pivotal role in delivering Net Zero ambitions should the bid be successful.

Celtic Freeport Bid Chair Visits South Wales Port of Milford Haven

15th December 2022 Ports & Shipping

The Chair of the Celtic Freeport bid consortium visited the Port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire recently to see first-hand how a freeport would transform the Welsh economy. Such a transformation would secure the benefits of the floating offshore wind…

The first of the United Kingdom’s 'Freeports' of Plymouth, the Solent and Teesside are now fully up and running after receiving final government approval. Among them, the Solent (Portsmouth) which is expected to grow through its ambitious maritime economy, making the central English south coast region a thriving hub for the world’s marine and maritime sector.

First of the UK's 'Freeports' Launched in Major Economic Boost

14th December 2022 Ports & Shipping

The first ports in the United Kingdom to be designated 'freeports' are Plymouth, the Solent and Teesside which are now fully up and running after receiving final government approval. The Freeports which the British government approved recently have become fully…

A long-running dispute at Britain's biggest container port of Felixstowe, has ended after workers from the trade union UNITE accepted a pay offer. Above Afloat captured containership OOCL Hong Kong alongside the east English port on the North Sea.

Dispute at Britain's Biggest Container Port Ends after Union UNITE Workers Accept 16% Pay Increase

14th December 2022 Ports & Shipping

The UK's biggest 'box'-boat port which has had a long-running dispute has ended after workers accepted a pay offer following strike action that first began almost four months ago. According to the Port of Felixstowe, more than 90% of workers…