Irish Ports

Newbuild Manxman made first sea tests to test important systems that took place at the weekend in South Korea. Above the design features, is the service speed where a hybrid diesel-electric system is backed up by storage batteries. It is expected Manxman will operate as the same speed of current ferry, Ben-My-Chree, but carrying more freight and passengers while using less fuel.

New Flagship Ferry Manxman Undertakes First Sea Trials in South Korea

19th December 2022 Shipyards

The new flagship of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company the Manxman, has undergone its first sea trials in South Korea. The newbuild set sail from the port of Ulsan from where the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard built the ferry. Among the tests…

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)…

The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak's first visit to N. Ireland takes place this evening and the call also marks the return to Belfast of naval ship building in a £1.6bn deal at Harland & Wolff. AFLOAT adds the last ship built at the famous shipyard, Anvil Point was launched in 2003.

UK Prime Minister to Discuss ‘Shipbuilding Ambitions’ During First Visit to Northern Ireland

15th December 2022 Shipyards

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Belfast this Thursday evening to mark the return of naval ship building in Northern Ireland, Downing Street has announced. Last month it was confirmed that Harland & Wolff Group as part of…

HMS Glasgow, leadship of the new Type 26 / 'City' class global combat frigates for the UK's Royal Navy, is one of a trio of first batch newbuilds out of eight in total to be built by BAE Systems two Glasgow shipyards. AFLOAT adds, last week the 6,000 tonne-newbuild was transferred onto a semi-submersible barge Malin Augustea at the shipyard in Goven from where it was towed downriver to deeper waters on the Clyde at the second shipyard at Scotstoun from where fitting out work is to take place.

Royal Navy Type 26 Frigates to be Built in Glasgow Confirms UK Prime Minister

30th November 2022 Shipyards

Shipyards in Scotland are to construct five warships for the UK's Royal Navy following the British prime minister's confirmation of the next phase in a shipbuilding programme. As BBC News reports, Rishi Sunak has accounced that BAE Systems two Clydeside…

The Port of Waterford Eye is a beautiful landmark on the city’s historic quayside but also offers incredible Birdseye vistas over the twinkling lights of Ireland’s Christmas Festival and the River Suir and city streetscape

Port of Waterford Support Winterval Festival as Port of Waterford Eye Sponsor

17th November 2022 Irish Ports

The Port of Waterford has supported the Winterval festival since its inception and this year for the festival’s 10th celebratory year the Port of Waterford is delighted to be announced as the title sponsor for the Port of Waterford Eye.…

Shipbuilding Back to Belfast: The Harland & Wolff Group is set to help build three crucial support ships with the final assembly to take place at its main Belfast shipyard. The £1.6 billion contract from the UK's Ministry of Defence will see the newbuilds enter the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to service the requirements of the Royal Navy.

Belfast Shipbuilding to Return As Harland & Wolff Selected As Part of Team Bidder in UK Defence Contract

16th November 2022 Shipyards

Shipbuilder the Harland & Wolff Group is set to help construct three crucial support ships in a £1.6 billion contract from the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) with the vessels to serve the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). As the Belfast…

Merseyside based shipyard Cammell Laird said it was the main contractor for the new Mersey ferry. Above Afloat adds the existing ferry Royal Iris of the Mersey which serves commuters between the Wirral and Liverpool.

Building Overseas of New Mersey Ferry is a Betrayel - Says Union

9th November 2022 Shipyards

The union Unite has said that the shipyard to build the new Mersey ferry is in the Netherlands and this is a "complete betrayal" of workers on Merseyside. Liverpool City Region (LCR) announced yesterday of the new ferry and said…

A new 'Ferry across the Mersey' has been announced with the State-of-the-art ferry the first in more than 60 years to ply between Liverpool, Seacombe and Woodside, both on the Wirral. The vessel is expected to be built locally at the Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead. Above the current veteran ferry, Royal Iris of the Mersey which AFLOAT captured on the river, was originally the Mountwood which was chartered out as a tender based in Dun Laoghaire Harbour during the 1996 anchorage visit of the US Navy aircraft-carrier USS John F. Kennedy.

First Ferry in 60 Years for Mersey River Expected to be Built at Birkenhead Shipyard

8th November 2022 Shipyards

A project to build a new Mersey ferry in more than 60 years has been announced by the Mayor of Liverpool City Region. The Mayor, Steve Rotheram said that the multi-million pound project will "ensure that the iconic 'Ferry Cross…

Shipyard blow: The design by Harland & Wolff for the UK's national flagship project, however the contract has been scrapped by the British Government. The newbuild would of been a successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia which travelled over 1 million nautical miles until decommissioned in 1997.

Sunak's Blow to Harland & Wolff As £250m UK National Flagship Project Is Scrapped

8th November 2022 Shipyards

The shipyard boss at the Harland & Wolff Group has expressed disappointment after the UK Government scrapped a shipbuilding contract worth £250 million. The Belfast-based group which owns shipyards in Arnish and Methil in Scotland and Appledore in England, was…

The environmentally friendly ferry cannot initially run on a 'green' basis due to a new fault of the newbuild at the Clydeside shipyard above as seen in recent years.

Environmentally Friendly Scots Fiasco Ferry Cannot Initially Run 'Green' Due to Fault

1st November 2022 Shipyards

One of the Scottish ferries at the centre of a shipyard ferry fiasco could see it lose its green credentials following a new fault. The Ferguson Marine shipyard which was nationalised in 2019, has confirmed that further issues with the…

IMDO and Department of Transport Host Port Director’s Training Programme in Dublin

29th October 2022 Ports & Shipping

The IMDO and the Department of Transport recently hosted a port director's training programme in Dublin. This one-day training took place on last Tuesday 18 October in The Alex Hotel in Dublin city centre and was aimed at promoting the…

The newbuild Manxman has been specifically designed to meet requirements for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company with the new ferry due to arrive in Manx waters in early 2023.

New Isle of Man Ferry Manxman Preparing for 18,000 Mile Delivery Voyage

26th October 2022 Shipyards

At a shipyard in Asia is where the new flagship ferry of the Isle of Man Steam Packet is expected to depart early in the New Year, reports ManxRadio. Manxman which was built by Hyundai Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea will embark…

CSO figures show that Dublin Port accounted for 63% of all vessel arrivals in Irish ports in the second quarter of 2022

Trade Handled through Main Irish Ports Up 1% in Q2

26th October 2022 Irish Ports

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released new figures that show Irish ports handled a total of 13.1 million tonnes of goods in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 1% compared with the same time last year. Of…

The First Minister of Scotland will answer questions on the award of a contract to Ferguson Marine shipyard to build two ferries for west coast Islands services which are over budget and late. Above the newbuild Glen Sannox when in an earlier stage of construction.

First Minister of Scotland to appear Before Holyrood Committee Investigating Shipyard Ferries in November

24th October 2022 Shipyards

The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is due to appear on 4 November before a Holyrood committee investigating the procurement of two over-budget and delayed ferries from a Clydeside shipyard, the committee has said. Last month the First Minister…

The port authority for Bantry is the Port of Cork but its new Masterplan does not mention the west Cork port where the anchored cruise ship World Explorer Afloat adds made its maiden Irish cruise with a call in May.

Bantry Bay Port Is Not Included in Port of Cork's ‘Masterplan’

17th October 2022 Irish Ports

The south-west port of Bantry Bay has not been included in the Port of Cork's major new masterplan, the company confirmed last week. According to the Southern Star, the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) is planning to share the emerging…

The UK's Minister of State, Nusrat Ghani MP today paid a visit to Harland & Wolff's marine and engineering facility at its iconic Belfast shipyard site.

UK Minister Of State Visits Harland & Wolff Group's Belfast Shipyard

11th October 2022 Shipyards

The UK's Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Nusrat Ghani MP was welcomed to Harland & Wolff Group's iconic Belfast shipyard site. The multisite fabrication company of Harland & Wolff with over 160 years…