Calls For New Motorway of the Sea Between Port of Cork and Gijon in Spain

Last year exports to Spain amounted to €2.9 billion

The IEA chief executive calls for a direct sea-freight connection with one of our longest established markets –in Spain- as way to boost the flagging exports to that market. Last year exports to Spain amounted to €2.9 billion, this is down by €400 million from the €3.3 billion exports in 2007 . There is sufficient volume to support a new direct service to the Iberian Peninsula -- Ireland exported 230,000 tonnes of goods and imported 701,000 tonnes. Currently 110,000 tonnes of goods move between Ireland and Iberia by road with the consequent cost, environmental impact and susceptibility to British and French restrictions on HGV traffic and road-usage charges. For some considerable time the Port of Cork and Port of Gijon in northern Spain have been working together on the feasibility of setting up and launching a ‘maritime motorway’ between the two ports by means of a regular, twice-weekly roll-on/roll-of ferry service which would complete the journey in 25 hours and reduce the total time and cost associated with the movement of goods between the island of Ireland and the Iberian Peninsula. According to Michael McCarthy, Commercial Manager of the Port of Cork “the service will facilitate and enhance the already significant freight and tourist activity between the two regions”. John Whelan, IEA chief executive stated; “The advent of the Irish government’s new ports policy together with major investment by Spanish authorities in the Port of Gijon and its 4 million square metre multimodal logistics park ZALIA, and EU incentives to encourage road freight traffic to mode-switch to short sea shipping, have lent considerable extra momentum to this initiative to establish a direct shipping connection between Ireland and Spain.’’ The Ireland-Iberia Trade and Transport Round Table hosted by Patrick Daly, Managing Director of Alba Consulting at the Guinness Enterprise Centre on Tuesday 25th June examined and reviewed developments to date and the opportunities for the future including: Updated trade figures by transport mode between Ireland and Iberia. Port of Cork infrastructural developments and future strategy. Port of Gijon (Spain) developments and future strategy. ZALIA intermodal logistics park capabilities and advantages. Cork-Gijon RoRo service capabilities and advantages Executives attending the event in Dublin will include delegates from major Irish importers and exporters such as Diageo, Irish Distillers, PepsiCo Worldwide Flavours, Glanbia, DSV, Celtic Logistics, LTL International among others as well as representatives from the Irish Exporters Association, Port of Cork, Port of Gijon (Spain) and ZALIA Logistics Park (Spain). Related links for this article  Port Of Cork Website

Port of Cork Photography Competition Focuses on Port and Cork Harbour

Enter your photo focusing on the Port and Cork Harbour

Calling All Photographers! Are you a budding photographer with a keen interest in all things related to Cork Harbour and the Port of Cork? If so then you should enter the Port of Cork Photography Competition. Through the lens of people who live and visit Cork, this competition is looking for exciting imagery which reflects the theme “Cork Harbour – A Port in Focus”. Cork Harbour and the Port of Cork play such important roles in the everyday lives of many people and it is hoped that some of this can be captured through imaginative photographs of our action-packed harbour. The winning photographer will have his/her photograph designed into a postcard which will be made available free to tourists via local tourist offices and will also be given to individual cruise passengers when they visit Cork. The winner will also be invited to a special launch of their postcard in July, when An Post and the Port of Cork will unveil a new stamp collection. The competition is open to all ages and levels based on the theme “Cork Harbour – A Port in Focus”. The closing date for entries is 10th July 2013. Photographs must be based on the theme “Cork Harbour – A Port in Focus” and can be emailed to Sara Mackeown smackeown[at]portofcork.ie by the 10th July. Late entries will not be accepted. Photographs should be no larger than 3MB. Winner will be announced on 12th July 2013. Please do not submit faces of people without their prior permission. The winner will retain full copyright of their image but must allow Port of Cork to reproduce the image, without charge, on the postcard and for PR and promotional purposes. For more information please contact Sara Mackeown, Port of Cork Tel 021 4625375 or email smackeown[at]portofcork.ie Related links for this article  Port Of Cork Website

Cork Harbour Open Weekend 2013 – Call For Events

Last years event was a great success

Following on from the huge success of Cork Harbour Open Weekend last year, this year’s event will again be spread over two days. Cork Harbour’s exciting showcase weekend will take place on the 14th & 15th September. As always, the aim is to promote Cork Harbour in all its glory both on and off the water and already for this year there is a solid commitment from the Irish Naval Service, Port of Cork, Spike Island, Camden Fort Meagher and the National Maritime College of Ireland to be involved. There will be lot of PR activity on the lead up to the weekend, including a launch photo-shoot with Minister Coveney. Promotional material will be distributed and this year there will be a group of volunteers around the Harbour offering information on what’s happening and how to get there. Those interested in participating in this years Cork Harbour Open Weekend should contact Sara MacKeown at the Port Of Cork. smackeown[at]portofcork.ie See the summary of last year’s event below. Related links for this article  Summary of last year's event

Bloomsday in Cork Harbour, Sunday 16th June

The view from the Martello Tower on Haulbowline Island

There are two events celebrating Bloomsday this Sunday 16th June, one of which combines the beauty of Ulysses with Cork Harbour’s maritime history. There will be readings and music from Ulysses on the roof of the Martello Tower on Haulbowline on Sunday between 12 and 1. Musician Ken Cotter, who has a Joyce inspired album of original contemporary songs coming out in September, is organizing the event with the help of the Naval Service. This is a unique opportunity to indulge your inner Joycean while enjoying a spectacular piece of maritime architecture. Contact Ken directly for more. Places are limited so get in touch as soon as you can. kenjcotter[at]eircom.net. The second event is up river at the Sextant along the quay’s of Cork. Dublin’s James Joyce Centre are producing a live online global reading of James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses and Cork will be taking part. Cork will be reading from the Circe episode from 4.30. The event begins at 4.15. This is the 4th annual Bloomsday event in The Sextant Bar on Albert Quay and as well as the global reading event, music will come from Ken Cotter. This is an inclusive informal and free event so come along to enjoy some complimentary wine and cheese. Related links for this article  More about Global Bloomsday Facebook page for the Sextant event

Port of Cork Signs Sister Port Agreement with Port of Shenzhen

Port of Cork

The Port of Cork and the Port of Shenzhen formally signed a Sister Port Agreement which will see both ports developing the trade and shipping business while deepening the understanding and relationship between each other. The signing took place in the Port of Cork offices during a two day visit of eleven delegates from Shenzhen to the Port of Cork. The Port of Shenzhen and the Port of Cork are important ports in their respective regions and given the growth of the world’s shipping industry Shenzhen Port and the Port of Cork face common opportunities as well as challenges. The Port of Shenzhen is one of the busiest and fastest growing ports in southern mainland China. Located in the southern region of the Pearl River Delta in China's Guangdong province, it is the economic hinterland for Hong Kong trade with the Mainland and also one of the most important ports in terms of China's international trade. Shenzhen port is home to 39 shipping companies with 131 international container routes. There are 560 ships on call at Shenzhen port on a monthly basis and also 21 feeder routes to other ports in the Pearl River Delta region. This sister port agreement will see the leadership and management of both ports maintaining regular contact and will look to send staff for an exchange of visits to their respective ports to discuss issues of mutual benefit and further enrich the cooperation and collaboration between both ports. There will also be an agreement to recommend beneficial partners to each other. Speaking at the signing of the sister port agreement, Chairman of the Port of Cork, John Mullins said: “We have signed this sister port agreement with the Port of Shenzhen to the benefit of both ports. We anticipate much cooperation and exchanging of port expertise into the future and we know the Port of Cork can expect to learn a lot from Shenzhen in terms of international trade, port development and expanding our services.” He continued: “This really is an excellent opportunity for the Port of Cork and one we intend to maximise. Both ports are committed to working together to draw upon the experience and business expertise between the two ports and broaden the exchange and cooperation between each other in the areas of port planning and building, operation and management, environmental protection, information technology, personnel training and port security. During their visit to the Port of Cork, the delegates from Shenzhen visited the port facilities, Cork City and Cobh. Related links for this article  Port Of Cork Website

Commodore Mark Mellett confirmed speaker for C-SIGMA IV 26 & 27 June, Cork, Ireland

C-SIGMA takes place at the Fota Island Hotel on June 26th

PRESENTATIONS :: LIVE SHOWCASES :: NETWORKING :: FUTURE PLANNING?? Commodore MARK MELLETT, Flag Officer Commanding Irish Naval Service is a confirmed speaker for Session One June 26 at Fota Island Hotel. The Naval Service is the Irish State’s principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The Irish Naval Service will host a reception on Day 2 of C-SIGMA in Cobh. C-SIGMA IV is the fourth Space to Sea planning conference which will bring world leaders in Satellite Technology, large Space Organisations and Maritime End Users together to plan for optimum use of satellite based maritime surveillance information on a global scale. Related links for this article  See full program and list of speakers on attached pdf More information on the speakers can be found here