ANOTHER BOOST FOR SHANNON FOYNES PORT Construction to commence on re-opening of Limerick to Foynes Rail Line for Freight Service. This announcement by Iarnrod Eireann presages another positive development for Shannon Foynes Port Company. Construction is set to commence in the coming weeks on phase one of the project, which is funded by the Department of Transport. The 42km stretch of railway between Limerick and Foynes originally opened in 1858 but closed to passenger traffic in 1963. Freight services continued until 2001. When these services stopped the line was declared inactive, but remained under the stewardship of Iarnród Éireann.
EU WILL IMPOSE EXTRA SHIPPING COSTS
The European Union will be the first region to enforce ‘carbon taxes’ on shipping via its Emission Trading System, which will penalise users of high-carbon fuels such as conventional fossil fuels and apply not only to shipments within Europe, but also to all shipments to and from Europe. That warning has been issued by Drewry Shipping Consultants, the independent international maritime research consultancy to global shipping. It has urged shippers to start planning for decarbonisation in shipping and has warned that there could be up to €14 billion in extra costs. Such an increase in shipping costs is likely, inevitably, to be passed through the supply chain and onto consumers.
NEW DUBLIN PORT CEO Dublin Port has announced Barry O’Connell as its new Chief Executive. He was formerly with the Coca-Cola System, where he has held multiple senior executive roles around the world since 1992, has been a CEO since 2009 and has s led organisational transformation initiatives.
TWO UK SPECIALIST SHIPS ———— The UK is to get two specialist Naval ships quicker than planned in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine The multirole ocean surveillance (MROS) vessels will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Ministry of Defence said they are “vital” to UK national security.
ENORMOUS RIVER FOUND ———- An “enormous river” has been discovered beneath Antarctica, nearly 300 miles (460 kms) long, draining an area the size of France and Germany combined. It was discovered using ice-penetrating radar mounted on aircraft. It drains into the Weddell Sea. Read more on Live Science website.
US NAVY GOES TO MIDDLE AGES. ——- Maybe Irish Naval Service should consider? Facing recruiting challenges in a tight labour market the US Navy has raised its maximum enlistment age to 41 in order to attract more sailors to the fleet. It is also increasing bonuses and other financial offers.
