#Ports&Shipping – The latest IMDO Weekly Market Review includes the following stories outlined below.

Irish Maritime News: National Ports Bill Enactment - Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe will publish a new Bill as reported on Afloat.ie to provide for the transfer to local authority control of the five Ports of Regional Significance – Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow.

The Bill will also make improvements to the board appointment process, such as introducing statutory skillsets and term limits which will improve the overall corporate governance of the sector.

Global Maritime News: Indian Cabinet clears Merchant Shipping Bill - The Indian Union Cabinet has given its approval for the introduction of the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2015, in line with a global convention, to protect environment and human health from ballast water and sediments used in ships, which can include harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.

Container Market: US West Coast Containership Congestion - During February and March the containership capacity delayed outside the five largest US West Coast ports reached over 0.2m TEU, equivalent to 1.2% of the containership fleet. These delays led to a number of cargo diversions away from the West Coast, and a wider impact on the boxship sector. As a result of this congestion, throughput at the major West Coast ports contracted in early 2015, falling by 19% y-o-y in the first two months.

Emissions: Big data helps shipping lines cut fuel bills and emissions -By focusing on operational improvements, shipping companies are reducing fuel consumption, saving money and cutting greenhouse emissions, while continuing to increase the amount of freight transported.

Irish Business News: Exports by Irish Companies Hits All Time High - It has been reported by Government that exports by Irish companies increased by 10% during 2014 to hit an all-time high of €18.6bn. This growth was recorded in exports to all international markets and across all sectors, according to the official figures published by Enterprise Ireland.

For more of each of the above stories and much more click the IMDO Market Review (Week 18) here.

In addition to further dedicated coverage visit Afloat.ie's Ports & Shipping news.