The largest ever cruiseship to visit Warrenpoint Port, Azamara Pursuit at 180m in length, was observed by locals lining the quayside as the ship headed up Carlingford Lough this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore

Measuring 30,277 in gross tonnage, the cruiseship built in 2000 and refurbished in 2016, has a capacity of over 700 passengers and 400 crew. The ship is amongst the largest class of cruiseship that can be accommodated in Warrenpoint with the vessel berthing at around 06.00hrs.

Afloat further researched that the Malta-flagged ship had sailed overnight from Belfast Harbour, but the ship had actually remained in port since arrival on Wednesday. This was followed by the cruiseship's departure yesterday evening from the more unusual location of Pollock Dock.

Today's maiden visit to Warrenpoint, aptly has connections in the region, as in 2018, the cruiseship was then the largest ship of its kind to have a refit in Harland & Wolff, Belfast with such work carried out by Newry headquartered outfitting firm, MJM Marine.

The cruiseship operated by US based Azamara Cruise Lines represents the second of three such ships this summer, following World Navigator inaugural visit in late June.

Azamara Pursuit is one of a quartet of R-class cruiseships of the Miami based cruise firm, however the ship as R Eight was also the final of an 8 strong series commissioned for the original operator, Renaissance Cruises that ceased trading in 2001.

An evening departure from Warrenpoint is to take place at approximately 7.30pm this Friday, (5th August) with an arrival tomorrow to Dublin Port from where the ship also made a recent call.

The Belfast shipyard at Harland and Wolff could go bust within days as fears mount over its future, it has emerged.

Unions and sources familiar with ongoing negotiations at the shipyard, reports Belfast Telegraph, have said that the company could "go to the wall" next Wednesday, if a buyer cannot be found.

Around 132 people are understood to be still employed at the operation, which was put up for sale by its Norwegian parent company Fred Olsen Energy in December 2018. The group, now known as Dolphin Drilling ASA, filed for bankruptcy last month.

Talks involving political leaders, economic development agency Invest NI and shipyard management have taken place throughout the week.

It's understood that Newry-based MJM Marine had held the status of an exclusive bidder. Jonathan Guest, who replaced Robert Cooper as chief executive of Harland and Wolff in April 2018, is a former managing director of MJM Marine.

During 2018, MJM used Harland and Wolff's dry dock for carrying out a major cruise contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd.

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#boatsales – Irish boat brokerage firm MGM Marine Boats are exhibiting at this weekend's Miami Boat Show in Florida. John O Kane (pictured left) and Gerry Salmon are both working on the impressive Sunseeker stand with Ross O'Leary working on the Lagoon Catamaran stand.

The brokerage firm headquartered in Dun Laoghaire has been active over the winter period at key international boat shows and attended the Dubai Show in the United Arab Emirates and the Russian show in central Moscow.