Large Bulk Vessel Breaks All Records On Arrival In

 Foynes - 8 July 2005

PRESS RELEASE

Shannon Foynes Port Company today announced the arrival of the largest vessel ever to berth in the Port of Foynes.

The vessel, m.v. Vassiliki, weighing over 52,000 tonnes deadweight and measuring over 190 metres in length, docked in Foynes late on Thursday evening, carrying a bulk cargo of soya bean meal, after completing a transatlantic voyage crossing the equator from Brazil. Stevedores and Ships Agents for the vessel are SJ Murphy & Co. Ltd, who will supervise the completion of its discharge, expected by Saturday 9th July.

Commenting on the arrival, Capt. Alan Coghlan, Harbour Master and Superintendent of Pilots for the Shannon Estuary, said "Although this vessel is large enough to have been seen from almost every part of the village of Foynes and beyond, our marine operations and port facilities were well within their capacity to cope with a ship of this size."

Brian Byrne, Chief Executive of Shannon Foynes Port Company, added "Significant improvements in port infrastructure, warehousing, and a highly efficient staff structure have allowed us to meet the ever-increasing demands of our customers. This development represents a significant milestone for the port, and is testament to the efforts and expertise of everyone working within the Port environment."

"The company already superintendents the arrivals of the largest vessels entering Irish waters, which exceed 220,000 tonnes deadweight, berthing at ESB's Moneypoint generating station in Co. Clare. We are delighted that shipowners and port users have again endorsed our shore-side facilities and operational expertise in bringing a such a large vessel into Foynes, on the upper reaches of the Shannon," added Brian Byrne.

Shannon Foynes Port Company is Ireland's largest bulk cargo handler. The commercial state owned company is the estuarial port authority with responsibility for the entire Shannon estuary, one of Ireland's greatest national maritime assets. In addition to its terminal operations, warehousing and distribution networks, the Port Company governs the safe passage of all maritime traffic and port activity in the estuary.

In excess of 12.5m tonnes of cargo are handled annually at facilities in Moneypoint, Tarbert, Aughinish, Limerick Docks, Shannon International Airport and Foynes - with principal cargoes consisting of coal, bauxite, animal feed, oil products, recyclables, timber, fresh fruit and agricultural fertilisers.

The company is ISO9001 accredited by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance, and has successfully launched a new weekly direct container liner service with Rotterdam in October 2004.