Belfast Harbour has announced the arrival of its latest pilot boat, the Hibernia, marking a significant investment of £1.5m in its marine fleet. The new vessel will be responsible for ferrying pilots to and from ships at the port, helping them to navigate safely to their designated berths. The pilot boat fleet at Belfast Harbour operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it essential to minimize downtime.
The Hibernia, constructed by Holyhead Marine Services, boasts a lightweight, resin-infused hull and a fuel-efficient design, with engines that can run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to help reduce carbon emissions. It is believed to be the first pilot boat on the island of Ireland equipped with a selective catalytic reduction exhaust system, reducing nitrous oxide emissions.
The new vessel replaces PB4, the oldest pilot boat in Belfast Harbour's fleet, which has been retired after 24 years of service. The name Hibernia has a long history and connection with Belfast Harbour, dating back to 1791 when William Ritchie started shipbuilding in the city, launching the 300-tonne Hibernia a year later.
Michael Robinson, Port Director and Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour and godmother of Pilot Boat Hibernia at a traditional naming ceremony
Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour, was named as the godmother of the Hibernia during a traditional naming ceremony that sought to bring luck to the vessel and keep the crew safe. Michael Robinson, Port Director at Belfast Harbour, said: "We're committed to becoming a green port, and sustainability is a core element of everything that we do. We were able to incorporate environmental improvements into the design of Hibernia, which will help us on this decarbonisation journey."
Belfast Harbour handles over 23.9 million tonnes of trade each year, making the pilot boat fleet a mission-critical service for the port. The new addition to the fleet will undoubtedly boost its resilience and enhance the port's capacity to serve its customers safely and efficiently.
