Dublin Port Company today launched two new tug boats that are part of an overall €16m investment to upgrade their fleet of river plant at Ireland's largest port. The two new tugs, 'Shackleton' and 'Beaufort', were named in a ceremony where Minister of Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey was the guest of honour. The vessels were named by their sponsors, Ms Aisling Dempsey, daughter of the Minister and by local community worker, Helen McCabe, with the customary smashing of champagne bottles as the foghorns of ships in the port sounded in celebration.
These new state-of-the-art tugs are named after two remarkable patrons of exploration. Ernest Shackleton, born in Athy Co. Kildare, was a fearless explorer whose legacy as the world's greatest exploration leader will live on as an inspiration to pioneers fro centuries to come.
Sir Francis Beaufort, who hailed from Navan, was a tireless innovator who created the scale of measurement for wind force which is now world-renowned, and is used by the 15,000 vessel arrival and departures in Dublin Port every year.
As Dublin Port continues to handle larger vessels with deeper drafts, this investment will ensure it can continue to service the needs of its customers. The two new tugs were built over the last two years at the Astilleros Zamakona shipyard in Bilboa, Spain. The two vessels are 24 metres long and while shorter than the existing tugs are 50% more powerful.
Last year, Dublin Port Company's two pilot boats, Camac and Liffey, built by Safehaven Marine at a cost of €1.25m, were put into service along with the €2.6m Dutch-built work vessel, the Rosbeg.
CEO of Dublin Port Company, Mr. Enda Connellan said "As Dublin Port continues to handle larger vessels with deeper drafts, this latest €12m investment in two new state-of-the-art tugs will ensure it can continue to service the needs of our customers and enable Dublin Port Company to become an even more efficient and competitive port. Over the last 15 years we have invested almost €300m in port infrastrucure and notwithstanding the downturn, Dublin Port is handling over 26m tonnes of trade annually which is still between four and five times the level of trade almost 15 years ago"
Minister of Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. commented, "Ports are crucial to facilitating trade and as Ireland's largest port which handles almost €35 billion in trade flows annually, Dublin Port is particularly important. It is generally recognised that a return to economic growth in the State will be export led. Additional national port capacity will be required in the medium to long-term to facilitate this return to growth. Continued investment in the State's ports will also help improve competitiveness, through the latest marine technology and the provision of new facilities to accomodate larger ships.
I am please that capital investment in Dublin Port has continued at high levels in recent years, with the purchase of the new tugs being the latest element of this investment.
In 2009 I published a study on the future of Dublin Port conducted by Indecon Consultants under the national Development Plan. The future of Dublin Port is not just a local or regional matter, it is of strategic importance to the country as a whole. The report is an important analysis of the future of Dublin Port and provides useful insights into the capacity challenges that face the sector as a whole."
Date Published: Thursday 25. of March 2010