Displaying items by tag: 'Ireland' Max

30th May 2017

Names Revealed of BG Freight Line's New Quartet to Enter Merseyside-Lee Service

Afloat has identified the names to be given of the new quartet of 'Ireland' Max 1,003 TEU capacity containerships currently under construction in China. BG Emerald is among the ships to be delivered in 2018

#IrelandMax- Afloat has further researched into the names of BG Freight Line’s newbuilds lo-lo ships under construction in China and can reveal BG Emerald is among them, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The custom-built ‘Ireland’ Max containership with ‘green’ credentials is one of a quartet under construction at the Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard in the city located near the Shanghai Yangshan Harbour. They are expected to enter service in 2018 on BG Freight Line’s short-sea Irish hub feeder services linking the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Newbuild BG Emerald with a 1,004 TEU capacity will also enter the new and first ever Liverpool-Cork containeship service. The Merseyside-River Lee route was launched intially in March by Thea II, which appeared on 'Rivers with Jeremy Paxman'. The TV series broadcast earlier this year showed the presenter on board the 340 TEU boxboat when operating on the Manchester Ship Canal.

Afloat has also indentified the names to be given of the remaining quartet of sisters. They are BG Diamond, Jade and Sapphire.

Also ascertained is that each containership is around 11,000 gross tonnage and that they have been developed by BG Freight Line, in conjunction with designers CIMC ORIC and Arkon Shipping.

The ‘Ireland’ Max containerships are being built to DNV GL specification and fitted with state-of-the-art features in order to comply with Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements. This been a clear commitment by the operators to achieving the highest possible environmental standards.

Each of the quartet will be fitted with a modern wet scrubber system for exhaust cleaning in order to fulfil the requirements for trading within the ECA area. The vessels are also fully fitted for the loading of 45ft short-sea containers in all positions, with room in total for 488 units.

Additionally, a various number of odd-sized containers can be stowed fast and securely due to a new proprietary and innovative cargo stowage system. To minimise operational cost the vessel will be fitted with a modern two-stroke main engine with very low fuel consumption.

Specifications of the new 'Ireland' Max containerships

Containers: 1004 TEU (alternative 488 units 45ft)
Deadweight: 13,250 tonnes (on 8.0m draft)
Length overall: 153m
Reefer plugs: 253
Service Speed: 16 knots
Exhaust cleaning by WET-scrubber

As alluded BG Freight Line operate an extensive lo-lo container feeder network operated by 23 vessels among them BG Ireland. The additon of BG Emerald strenghtens the links of the nations served by the shipping line that is a subsidiary of the Peel Ports Group. They are a major operator of ports throughout the UK.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.