8


Issue 1 2020 - FBJ Ireland


///IRELAND


and Russia for use in the steel and alloy industries. Wind turbine traffi c could


Tonnage through Belfast Harbour during 2019 remained strong at over 24 million tonnes for the second year running. Ro-ro units rose by 4% to a


record 542,000, almost all of it on Stena Line’s routes to Scotland and England. Exports of stone by Co Down based Conexpo for GB and European infrastructure projects exceeded a million tonnes for the fi rst time while tonnages in the wider aggregates sector grew by 4% to a record 1.6m tonnes. Container traffi c increased by


2%, surpassing the 130,000 units handled threshold for the fi rst time since 2008. The main decrease was as a


result of lower imports of grain, animal feeds and fuels, thanks to the year’s more favourable weather which reduced the need for imports of these commodities. Large volumes of grain had to be imported in 2018 aſt er unfavourable weather hit local harvests. Belfast Harbour chief executive,


Joe O’Neill, said: “Although there has been prolonged uncertainty about Brexit’s implications for Northern Ireland, port-related trading activity within the local economy has been steady with tonnage levels staying above 24m tonnes for the second consecutive year. This refl ects Belfast Harbour’s highly diversifi ed and resilient business model which enables us to operate across every major cargo sector.” He added: “Belfast Harbour’s


long-term strategy is to be the world’s best regional port. That


will require signifi cant ongoing investment in infrastructure to deliver projects in partnership with key customers such as Stena Line and also attract new trades to Belfast. To that end, we are currently investing £55m to upgrade


the Belfast–Liverpool


ferry terminal to facilitate two new leading-edge vessels which Stena is introducing and are purchasing ten new cranes at the port’s container terminal to improve the effi ciency of container handling.” Port director Michael Robinson,


added: “Over the longer-term, the mix of trades handled by the port will continue to evolve as consumer spending habits change and the drive to decarbonise the economy accelerates. While this will lead to a decline in fossil fuel imports which have been a staple of the port industry for the last century, it also presents


larger and more effi cient vessels we can provide economies of scale for existing importers and exporters and attract new business to Belfast.” Work is proceeding apace on


the two major upgrades at Belfast Harbour, says Michael Robinson – the enlarged container terminal and the upgraded ferry terminal. The fi rst of two new ship to


shore cranes were due to arrive in March which, together with a revolutionary new design of RTGs, will deliver signifi cantly increased container capacity. Terminal operator DFT is introducing remotely operated RTGs both in Dublin – where it also operates the terminal – and in Belfast, which will boost labour productivity, operators’ working environments and safety. The cranes are driven from a stationery console, and one operator will be able to manage


commissioned mid-year and the second in the fourth quarter. While no operator has current plans to add larger vessels– to some extent it also depends on other ports in the region also enhancing their facilities – such future-proofi ng will be useful, Robinson explains. Most of Belfast’s container services are shuttles to and from the main Continental ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp and it’s unlikely that these will see mega- ships, but a more incremental increase in ship size is always possible. The port had a good year in


containers in 2019, hitting the 130,000 box mark, which is the highest for over ten years. There is some growth in the Northern Ireland economy and the 5% increase in Ireland could also lead to more traffi c through Belfast if Dublin cannot cater for all of it. Belfast’s new double-deck ro ro


opportunities to further develop trades related to the green economy and sectors such as off shore wind where Belfast Harbour has a proven track record. “By investing in facilities that cater for the next-generation of


two cranes simultaneously, says Robinson. The fi rst of the new ship to shore


cranes, which with their greater outreach will allow for larger ships should operators wish to introduce them in future, is due to be


ramp was due to be commissioned in about late February in time for the entry into service of Stena’s new Edda (sistership to the Estrid on Dublin/Holyhead) in March. Finishing touches to the £15 million investment were being made at the time of writing. The route to Birkenhead has been running at close to capacity for some time and the new vessel will allow room for growth. Stena is the main regular ro ro


operator in Belfast; the line also has regular sailings to Heysham and Cairnryan.


Longer term, the port


masterplan for the period to 2035 envisages further development of the inner quays for residential and commercial uses to cater for the city’s current housing boom. Bulk traffi c also had a good


year in 2019, Robinson continues – perhaps not quite to the level of 2018 when a grain shortage boosted imports, but still very high by historical


standards. Belfast


is also one of the few ports that can claim a strong coal trade, in and out, for the processing plant of


local fi rm LCC which then


exports it worldwide to countries including Australia, Saudi Arabia


be about to take off again soon. While UK windfarm projects are still 3-4 years away from getting underway, Ireland’s are rather more advanced and could start in about 2023. Belfast has planning consent for a new berth to which it will move its cruise ships, which currently occupy the windfarm berth, in order to free up capacity for the new traffi c. Discussions meanwhile


continue on upgrading the port’s road access, including the much- needed York Street interchange. At


least there is once again a


Northern Ireland government to have discussions with, so hopes are high that some progress can take place. Meanwhile the port is awaiting


news on how the Northern Ireland trade protocol will be implemented and what the implications will be for port operations.


BIFA Young Forwarder Network reaches Northern Ireland


The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has added a Northern Ireland group to its Young Forwarder Network, launched about a year ago. The Northern Ireland regional


group inaugural meeting took place at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners


offi ces on 29


January, joining regional groups that have already been established in Anglia, the Midlands, North West, London East and London West, bringing the total number of regional groups to six. BIFA’s training development


manager, Carl Hobbis, said: “We have had a really good response to the launch of the YFN and have already held over 20 well- attended events that are assisting in the development of future freight forwarding ambassadors and leaders for the sector. “By creating several regional


networking groups, run by young forwarders, the YFN aims


to help early talent and young BIFA members


develop their


knowledge and professional skills, but in a more social, event-driven environment. “Those


events members the give opportunity


YFN to


network with their peers and learn from industry professionals, at the same time, boosting their continuous professional development. “Each networking group has a


chairperson and vice-chairperson, and a local organising committee, governed by at least two regional employers, as well as a BIFA representative, which in the case of the latest YFN group is Carson McMullan, consultant to BIFA in Northern Ireland. “Less than one year since it was


created, the YFN is really helping to improve the promotion of the sector, making it more attractive to younger people and providing forums for them to learn.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36