Cork Dockyard win Major Contract from Commissioners of Irish Lights

Photo: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Cork Dockyard win Major Contract from Commissioners of Irish Lights in the face of strong competition from UK and French Yards*

Cork Dockyard Ltd. has won the contract for the 15 year Special Survey and Drydock of the Commissioners of Irish Lights vessel Granuaile following a competitive EU tender.

The contract is part of an overall €650,000 project to confirm continued operation of the ship to Lloyds +100A1 Classification.

Built for servicing Ireland’s Aids to Navigation (300 general aids and 4000 local aids) Granuaile also undertakes operations with other state agencies such as Coast Guard and Marine Institute as well as commercial charters.

Inspecting progress at the dockyard today, CIL Chief Executive Yvonne Shields said:

“We are delighted to be back in Cork Dockyard for this important special survey and docking following a successful intermediate drydock here in
012. This is a critical drydock for Granuaile, as well as hull and superstructure painting and repair tasks the dockyard work will involve major tank surveys, Schottel Thruster and Bow Thruster overhauls and hull thickness inspections.

Cork Dockyard’s tender for this proposal was successful in the face of stiff competition from UK and French yards. Dockyard and ship repair facilities like Cork are important infrastructure for a maritime nation and it is great credit to Burke Shipping that this facility continues to deliver a high level of service for Irish and international customers. Located close to NMCI and the IMERC campus Cork Dockyard plays an important part in Ireland’s Ocean Wealth strategy and CIL is very pleased to be able to bring this important project to Cork”.

Liam Cotter GM Cork Dock Yard , Conor Doyle Dir Doyle shipping, Dermot Gray Master ILV Granuaile, CIL Chief Executive Yvonne Shields and Frank Doyle Dir Doyle Shipping.  Photo: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Welcoming this second CIL contract for Cork Dockyard, Liam Cotter, Dockyard Manager said: “Cork Dockyard are very pleased to have won this prestigious contract against strong international competition. Granuaile is a technologically advanced vessel providing vital safety services on the Irish Coast and we are proud that CIL have entrusted us with this important 15 year special survey and docking. Ship repair and drydocking have a strong tradition in Cobh and our skilled and committed workforce is a vital part of our offering in securing contracts of this nature”.

Immediately prior to her arrival on the drydock the Granuaile was engaged on an international charter working on wind farms in the German Bight and the Netherlands. Her services are in strong demand and following the dry dock she will be back servicing aids to navigation on the west coast before undertaking a joint project with the Marine Institute and SEAI to put sensors out to monitor wave energy activity at the SEAI offshore wave energy test site in Belmullet.