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10th July 2019

Port of Waterford: New Freight Route to Rotterdam Opens

The Port of Waterford has welcomed the arrival of containership ‘BG Rotterdam’ as seen during its call to the port last Saturday (6th July). According to the port, this new connection operated by BG Freight Line, in partnership with Maersk, will be a weekly service, acting as a deep-sea feeder for businesses in Ireland trading globally through Rotterdam which is Europe’s largest seaport. The aptly named containership is seen underway and AFLOAT also has identified above the background of the decommissioned Duncannon Fort and berthed fishing vessels located at the promontory on Waterford Estuary.

The Port of Waterford has a new freight shipping route to Rotterdam which has opened a new pathway between Ireland and the continent which could help exporters post-Brexit.

The first sailing on the Waterford-Rotterdam route, RTE reports, is operated by Dutch company BG Freight Line in partnership with container shipping multi-national Maersk, took place last Saturday and will be a weekly fixture between the southeast and the continent.

Executives from the Port of Waterford and Maersk are due to meet business figures from the region this evening to outline details of the new route and the opportunities it will provide.

The development comes as the Cabinet discusses contingency plans for Brexit, including preparations at ports and airports.

More on this port development can be read here.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.