Crosshaven Boys Win Port of Cork Schools Initiative 2012

The Port of Cork Company awarded Scoil Naisúnta Cros tSeain (Crosshaven Boys National School) the Best Overall Project in the 2012 Port of Cork Schools Initiative. The huge effort made by the 5th class paid off when they were presented with best overall project by the Chairman of the Port of Cork, Mr. Dermot O’ Mahoney, in the boardroom at Customs House. 

Twenty schools from in and around Cork City and Harbour area took part in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative which was themed ‘Ships, Steam Trains and Seaplanes – the Cork Harbour Connection’. 

This year’s judges; Mr. John Neville Port of Cork, Mr. Marc Anderson Titanic 100 and Mr. Brian Lougheed Evening Echo all praised the huge effort and creativity made by the participating primary schools. Projects submitted were both informative and visually very creative and colourful. 

Mr. John Neville, Port of Cork, said: “The projects submitted were inspiring. This is an excellent way for children to learn about the history of the harbour, the different methods of transport both on and off the water and most importantly, how the harbour can be enjoyed today.’ 

Commenting on the school projects, the Chairman of the Port of Cork, Mr. Dermot O’Mahoney said; ‘Congratulations to Scoil Naisúnta Cros tSeain (Crosshaven Boys National School) for their excellent submission. It is clear every 5th class pupil went to a lot of effort researching, creating and building their project. All the projects were of a very high standard and we acknowledge and appreciate the time and commitment by the teachers. We are delighted with the efforts put in by the participating schools and well done to all involved.’ 

All participating classes will be invited for an informative visit to Custom House followed by a boat trip around Cork Harbour, a visit to The Titanic Experience and Cobh Heritage Centre and rounded up with a train journey from Cobh to Cork City. 

The overall best project winners, Scoil Naisúnta Cros tSeain (Crosshaven Boys National School) will get to go on board one of the many luxurious cruise liners which call to Cork for a tour of the ship and to meet the captain. 

This is the seventh year of the Port of Cork Company’s successful Primary Schools initiative. 

Prizes were also awarded to the following classes; Best Photograph – 5th Class, Templebreedy, Crosshaven Best Artwork Piece – 5th Class, Glasheen Boys National School, Glasheen. 

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Captain Michael McCarthy, Port of Cork, Elected as Chairman of Cruise Europe

Irish Cruise Line Business Worth an Estimated €60M to the Irish Economy 

At the Cruise Europe Conference 2012 held at Royal Greenwich, London in April, Captain Michael McCarthy of the Port of Cork, was unanimously elected Chairman of Cruise Europe. Michael brings over 40 years of maritime experience to the position having served as Master at sea, Marine Surveyor, Deputy Harbour Master and is currently Commercial Manager with the Port of Cork Company. 

Michael endorsed the vision of Cruise Europe which he said is “to deliver to the cruise companies a world class cruise destination on behalf of our members”. Between 2005 & 2010, there has been an increase of 84% growth in the economic impact of the European Cruise Industry, bringing the total contribution to €35 billion. 

On average there are over 200 cruise calls to Ireland per year carrying approximately half a million passengers and crew. This cruise business contributes an overall economic contribution estimated to be worth €60 million to the island of Ireland. Commenting on the Irish cruise business, the newly elected chairman of Cruise Europe, Captain Michael McCarthy said: “There are many indirect economic and tourism benefits to Ireland from the cruise sector, as well as the benefit of introducing Ireland to new markets and growing business opportunities. Cruise visits help to showcase Ireland’s world class shore products, destinations and highlight all that Ireland has to offer visitors.” 

He continued: “One of Ireland’s advantages is the strategic and geographic spread of its numerous ports, many of which are in close proximity to world class tourism destinations and it is with this in mind that Ireland will be promoted with the North and Atlantic European destinations to develop thriving and “must see” destinations.” 

The cruise industry, as a whole, faces major challenges and it is vital that Cruise Europe members support the cruise lines through effective communications and develop an outstanding service while keeping costs tightly under control, particularly as the lines adapt to the ECA [Emissions Control Area] regulations from 2015. 

“These regulations, which will come into force on January 1st 2015, will reduce sulphur limits in fuel to 0.10%. This will result in vessels operating from the English Channel through the North Sea into the Baltic from 2015, to have increased operating fuel costs of over 50%.” 

McCarthy also outlined the benefits of being a member of Cruise Europe and the commitment to working closely with the ECC and other representative organizations. 

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Port of Cork Gets Ready to Welcome 900 Brazilian Delegates On-board MV Independence of the Seas

This May bank holiday weekend will be a busy one for the Port of Cork with two large cruise liners visiting Cobh, bringing over 10,000 passengers and crew to the region. MV Emerald Princess will arrive on Saturday at 10am and depart at 7pm, while MV Independence of the Seas, an annual visitor to the port, will arrive on Sunday at 3pm and depart on Monday at 6pm. 

Aside from the predominantly UK and American passengers, MV Independence of the Seas will also have up to 900 delegates from the fuel industry in Brazil on board. These passengers are being rewarded for their business with a high end incentive trip which includes a visit to Cork. The group, which is being co-ordinated by Kuoni Destination Management Company will experience Cork over a day and a half and is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the region of Cork, voted one of the top ten European destinations to visit in 2011 by Yahoo Search Engine. 

Cork Convention Bureau (CCB) has been working with Kuoni on an impressive itinerary for the Brazilians and CCB ensure they will experience the best of the region including a visit to the coastal town of Kinsale, the Queenstown Heritage Centre in Cobh, a visit to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton and the obligatory kissing of the Blarney Stone. Two hours of free time in Cork’s city centre will allow the group to browse the chic boutiques and have lunch at many of Cork’s great restaurants tasting local artisan produce. 

According to Evelyn O’Sullivan, Business Tourism Manager CCB: ‘This visit is worth an estimated €200,000 to the Cork region. Cork is at its peak right now and international event organisers looking for new destinations are very impressed with the product offering. Cork is unique in having the facilities to welcome incentive groups arriving on cruise liners. (Cork Convention Bureau is an initiative supported by Cork City and County Councils, Cork Airport, Cork Chamber, Failte Ireland and the hotel federation Cork.)”. 

Commenting on the delegate visit to Cork, Captain Michael McCarthy Port of Cork said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Cork to leave a very positive welcoming experience for the 900 visitors. It is very encouraging to see commercial companies using the cruise liner business as a method of visiting the region. Statistics available from the cruise lines indicate that 30% of cruise passengers make a return visit to a region they visited on their cruise itinerary. This would be excellent for Cork if some or all of these delegates return in the future with their family or friends or indeed looked at future business opportunities.” 

He continued: “The Port of Cork has been involved for the last 3 years with Spanish, French and Portuguese Ports in developing the European Atlantic Area as a premier cruise destination. This work under an EU Initiative “Cruise Atlantic Europe” is aimed at developing the historic links between these countries and the Latin nations in South America, particularly Brazil to encourage them to visit this region.” 

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IHMA Congress set for First Visit to Cork

A centenary after RMS Titanic set sail from Cobh, a fleet of the world’s harbour masters are set to anchor at Cork for the 8th International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) Congress, entitled Global Ports & Marine Operations, which is being held during the 14th–18th May 2012 at Cork City Hall. 

The prestigious IHMA Congress is held every two years and features a four-day conference, exhibition and exciting networking and social program. This is the first time that the Congress is being held in Ireland and given Cork’s rich maritime history and amazing diversity, the 2012 Congress builds on the tradition of being hosted in a strategically significant location. 

“We are delighted to host the IHMA Congress in Cork this year. It’s a great opportunity to showcase Cork City and our Port facilities around the harbour to the global delegates. Cork Harbour is steeped in maritime heritage and I am certain that there will be historical connections as well as commercial connections with the many countries represented at the Congress” said Captain Pat Farnan, Harbour Master Port of Cork Company and Chairman of the IHMA Congress. 

The Congress will attract over 300 local and international attendees, including over 30 leading industry speakers. The event is supported by a trade exhibition featuring over 40 companies from across the world with guests travelling from as far as Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, UK and the UAE. 

The 2012 IHMA Congress in Cork will explore and address the changing landscape of ports and how these changes are redefining the role of harbour masters in the future. Addressing the theme, "Marine experience: Can we manage tomorrow's port without it?" the 2012 IHMA Congress showcases technical and operational breakthroughs together with international case studies on the development and management of modern port and marine operations across the globe. 

“Ireland, as an island, is totally dependent on its ports with 99% of trade passing through them, and the Port of Cork, with its multi-modal capability plays a significant role in meeting the demands of trade. There are many challenges faced by the ports in evolving to meet the demand of future trade not least being the need to address the reduction in the availability of experienced managers to run them” Capt. Farnan continued. 

The Port of Cork is the proud ‘Dinner Sponsor’ for the Congress and Ireland’s legendary hospitality will be on showcase throughout the week. Highlights will include tours of Cobh Heritage Centre, the Port of Cork, the National Maritime College of Ireland and the Jameson Distillery at Midleton. 

Attendance to the conference, exhibition and dinners can be made online at www.globalportoperations.com 

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Port Of Cork Hosts United Nations Conference On Trade And Development (UNCTAD) Training And Capacity Building Programme For Developing Countries

Port of Cork is host to a United Nations capacity building programme on international trade TrainForTrade Port Training Programme focussing on ‘Modern Port Management’ which kicked off yesterday (Tuesday, 22nd May 2012) and which will run in the city for two weeks, until 1st June. 

The programme, which sees 28 delegates attending from countries across the globe including Ghana, Indonesia, Maldives, Namibia, South Africa, Pakistan and Tanzania, has been organised by UNCTAD in cooperation with Port of Cork (PoC), Dublin Port Company (DPC), Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHC), and with the support of Irish Aid. 

The TrainForTrade programme was set-up to facilitate sustainable economic development in developing and transition countries through training and capacity development and is run by UNCTAD, whose mandate is to work for development-led globalisation, where the development paths are sustainable and inclusive. 

At the Port Training Programme, delegates will participate in workshops and will learn best practice examples from a wide selection of Port of Cork’s operational areas including strategic planning, financial management, economic and commercial management and administrative and legal management. Workshops will also be given by representatives from Dublin Port Company, Irish Aid, UCC and Dublin City University throughout the two week programme. 

Speaking about the conference, Port of Cork Harbour Master, Captain Pat Farnan commented “We are delighted to be hosting this exceptional conference with UNCTAD both to showcase our world class port facilities here in Cork and also to extend our knowledge of port operations to these delegates. Together with Dublin Port Company, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Irish Aid, we recognise the importance of helping these countries to develop sustainable commercial port operations for themselves and I am certain this training programme will play a substantial part in achieving that goal. 

“All of the delegates attending this conference are involved in port management in their respective countries and it is our goal that they will take their learning’s back to their colleagues at home to train others to ensure that this valuable knowledge is passed on”, he continued. 

For further information about UNCTAD, see www.unctad.org. 


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