Landmark for Greenore Port

The MV Smart Tina in Greenore Port

Following the completion of an extensive port dredging project, the arrival of the largest steel ship to ever call to Greenore represents a new landmark for the port.

The cargo vessel MV Smart Tina arrived in Greenore Port from China as part of its maiden voyage. The MV Smart Tina has a dead weight tonnage of 38,900T and measures 180 metres in length.

Greenore Port completed an extensive port dredging project in May. The main aim of the project was to make the port accessible to 8-metre draft vessels at all tidal conditions. Prior to the dredging works being carried out, the port would have been unable to handle a vessel of this size. One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the deepening of the berthing area which is located in a section of the harbour with a rock bottom and strong tidal currents.

“Dredging commenced in February and by mid-May we had removed over 7000 tonnes of rock from the harbour bed,” said Niall McCarthy, General Manager of the Port.

Greenore Port was purchased by the Doyle Shipping Group in late 2014 and the port deepening project is part of the group’s strategic plan to develop facilities at the Port.

McCarthy commented that the project was an investment in the future of the port.

“There is a growing trend in the industry for larger, more efficient vessels which provide customers with economies of scale, it is important that Greenore Port can facilitate such vessels, so the arrival of a vessel the size of the MV Smart Tina is indeed a landmark for the Port,” he said.

Greenore Port’s previous largest steel ship was the MV Ourania, which had a dead weight tonnage of 27,797T.

A privately owned Irish company the Doyle Shipping Group’s portfolio includes operations in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Foynes Ports. The company has been operating since 1886 when it was founded by DF Doyle.

Annagassan and Clogherhead harbours to benefit from €80,000 funding

The sun setting in Annagassan

Over €80,000 in funding has been allocated to two local harbours.

Both Clogherhead and Annagassan are set to benefit from the funding of €80,250, which was granted by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine under the 2014 Fishery harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.

Clogherhead will receive the bulk of the funds – €71,250. This includes a grant of €63,750 for wall fender protection, €5,250 for water utilities and €2,250 for harbour lights.

Meanwhile, Annagassan has been granted €9,000 for dredging works.

Louth County Council will also be expected to contribute to the cost of the various projects.

Adams welcomes Minister’s decision to approve foreshore licence at Annagassan Harbour

Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, to approve a foreshore licence for maintenance dredging works at Annagassan Harbour. The Minister has agreed that the licence should be issued to Louth County Council as a priority.

Deputy Adams said: “Growing levels of sand and silt in Annagassan Harbour has left fishermen unable to berth their boats normally. Some have been unable to get down to their boats from the pier. They have also expressed concern at the growth of a silt bank at the entrance to the harbour.

“My colleague Councillor Pearse McGeough and I have been raising this issue for some time. We were told previously that there was no money from the Department of the Marine to carry out this work.

“Because of this problem fishermen using the Harbour have been refusing to pay their Harbour dues and this has led to a legal confrontation with Louth County Council sending solicitors letters out.

“Yesterday I received a response to a Parliamentary Question I had submitted to the Minister. In his reply the Minister confirms that a ‘Foreshore Licence under Section 3 of the 1933 Foreshore Act has been approved by me in respect of periodic maintenance dredging works at Annagassan Harbour, Castlebellingham, Co Louth. The Licence in question will issue to Louth County Council as a priority.’

“This is a welcome decision but it leaves unresolved the issue of compensation and harbour dues. We will continue to pursue this with Louth County Council.”