CONTENTS

NEWS From DAWLISH, The River TEIGN.

A History of BOAT COVE.

About The Port of TEIGNMOUTH. 

NEWS From Around THE WORLD: 

 LONDON.

PARIS.

DUBAI.

SINGAPORE.

AUSTRALIA.

PANAMA.

NEWS from Dawlish, Devon. 

The Marine Tavern Undergoes Renovation.

4th April 2025.

The Marine Tavern at Number 2, Marine Parade in Dawlish, is undergoing a complete renovation. 

The previous tavern owners recently retired, and another local businessman purchased the building. He plans to reopen the tavern to include a restaurant with rented flats above the business on the top floor. 

The renovation has taken significant effort due to the discovery that the building was built on sand. Number 2 is one of the oldest buildings on Marine Parade, which was built at the top of the beach in the early part of the 18th Century. 

The builders had to excavate under the walls and add foundations to sure up the walls. All of the internal walls had to be removed, leaving an empty shell. A new steel frame was installed inside the building, and new damp courses were laid.

The new tavern is planned to open in July 2025. 

Source: My Conversation with the Owner.

NEWS from the River TEIGN.

Teignmouth Airshow Cancelled in 2025

28th March 2025.

The skies above Teignmouth will not be roaring to the sound of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows aerial display flight this summer because the Teignmouth Airshow has had to be cancelled.

A Red Arrows display is a masterclass in aviation excellence, combining breathtaking aerial acrobatics with precision formation flying and vibrant visual effects.

Another regular visiting display would have been The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This flight is a poignant and evocative display, serving as a living tribute to those who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

The Teignmouth Airshow is a display of the best of British aviation and a truly memorable experience for locals and holidaymakers.

The airshow, which is free to attend, is organised by a small group of volunteers, the Teignmouth Airshow Committee. The Committee have sadly had to cancel this year’s event primarily due to difficulties in raising enough money.

The Committee reported that the necessary funds needed to host a safe and successful airshow are in the region of £90,000. A Committee spokesperson said that, year on year, it has proven increasingly difficult to raise the funds. Organising this event and raising the money to fund it takes an enormous amount of commitment, effort, and detailed planning, all of which are delivered by the Committee's volunteers.

It is reported that the Teignmouth Airshow Committee said it was a tough decision not to go ahead with the air show this year. The Committee will be exploring new fundraising opportunities to secure the funding needed to bring the event back in 2026.

The airshow organisers thanked all their supporters and appreciated the understanding and support from the local community in making this difficult decision.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise the money to run the Teignmouth Airshow next year. Please donate if you can to help bring back this spectacular event in 2026.

References:

• The Mid-Devon Advertiser. Available at: https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/no-teignmouth-airshow-for-2025-770063

• The Teignmouth Airshow Facebook Page. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/teignmouthairshow

• The Teignmouth Airshow GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/teignmouth-airshow-2026

Main Story - A History of Boat Cove, Dawlish in Devon

For centuries, Dawlish was a small, quiet community grouped around the Church by Dawlish Water, about half a mile from the seashore. It was not on any main travelling route, so it was not easy to get to. At the end of Dawlish Water, by the seashore, there were other dwellings belonging to fishermen and their families. 

The Ingenuity and Trials of Dawlish's Fishermen

At the start of the 16th century, fishing was an important source of food and income in Dawlish. Fishing in Dawlish was a family business, which was passed from father to son. The fishermen worked from the beach, storing their boats and gear and drying their nets above the shoreline.

Even though Dawlish did not have a harbour, it had many fishermen who fished using rope seine nets. A seine net is a large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water, with floats along the top edge and weights along the bottom. Fishermen would row the nets out to encircle a school of fish and could catch large numbers of herring and mackerel. It was a hard life and you could not be successful working on your own, which is why families of three generations worked the same boats.

As if earning a living from fishing wasn't hard enough, in 1535, fishermen had to pay a tithe tax on their fish catch. A tithe was a common form of tax at this time and could be one-tenth of a person's produce or earnings, which they had to pay to the Church or local clergy. 

The Maritime Affairs of Dawlish in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

During the 16th Century, England was involved in naval conflicts with Spain and France, which meant the British navy recruited thousands of sailors. As a result, by the 1620s, Dawlish town had many sailors living in it. 

By 1619, Dawlish had 2 ships and a large number of seamen that included 15 master mariners, 116 sailors and 15 shore-fishing seinemen. At the same time, Teignmouth, with its harbour, had 7 ships, 14 master mariners and 92 sailors. So, by comparison, Dawlish had a large sailing community, given it did not have a harbour. 

The Flourishing Fisheries of Dawlish

By the mid-1700s, Dawlish's fishing industry was flourishing. The Dawlish fishing families of this time included the Tapleys, Babbs, and the Bricknolls. These fishermen used small sailing and rowing boats to draw their large seine nets a short distance from the shore, landing their catch back on the beach. Their fishing boats were clinker-built, a traditional wooden hull construction method. Some boats were built in Dawlish at what was, Vicary's Yard, now Brook Street. By 1770, the fishing industry had taken up much of the beach. Fishermen worked from the beach, setting their seine nets, which were fixed near the entrance to Dawlish Water.

The Tumult of the Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s meant that Torbay became a naval base, which resulted in many Naval Officers and their families moving to Dawlish. During this time of conflict with France, wealthy British people couldn't take holidays in Europe, so they holidayed in Britain instead. Dawlish became one of the most fashionable Devon holiday resorts. 

This popularity brought an intense period of development in the Dawlish, which by 1803, included the laying of a gravel track along Marine Parade. This new track made it easy for people to access Shelter Cove at the west cliff end of Dawlish. Shelter Cove was the original name for Boat Cove, it being the perfect place to shelter boats from a southwesterly storm. 

The Geological Features of Dawlish and its Coves

Many people think of Dawlish's Red Rock as the Langstone Rock, which is the large red sandstone rock near Dawlish Warren. However, Red Rock is actually the sandstone pinnacle on the seaward side of Boat Cove. This Red Rock was also known as 'The Bishop' and 'The Old Bachelor'.

Today, Boat Cove and its Red Rock lead to Coryton Cove, but it hasn't always been easy to access Coryton's sandy beach. In 1830, the Red Rock at Boat Cove was attached to the Lea Mount cliff. This meant that the only way to access Coryton Cove was via a low-tide hole in the rock, which provided a tunnel for people to get to the beach. This tunnel was called Cows Hole and allowed holidaymakers to enjoy the beach at Coryton, where they could find cowrie shells. 

The Construction of the Breakwater and Its Effect on the Fishermen of Dawlish

The railway arrived in Dawlish in 1846, creating a barrier between the town and the sea as it ran across the top of the beach. The fishing boats used to be laid up on the main beach, but the railway line meant that they couldn't be drawn up so far and were therefore, more vulnerable to the high tides and storms. 

The railway meant that the only access to the main beach was via a collonade at the river mouth and an underpass at the Shelter Cove end of Marine Parade. 

The railway brought more visitors, and so with less room on the main beach for the fishermen, much of the fishing activity began moving to Shelter Cove. 

The Boat Cove breakwater did not exist before the railway arrived. The railway company constructed it in 1846, and it was called the Pout Wall. It was initially built of limestone and later strengthened with granite. In recent years, it has been strengthened with concrete. The original Pout Wall had buttresses on the landward side, which were later filled in and, landing steps and handrails were added. You can still see these today.

Alterations to the Cliffs and the Contstruction of 'Early's Wall'

In 1860, a mound was built between Red Rock and the cliff to protect the boats from the prevailing southwesterly winds.

After the Pout Wall was built, Shelter Cove became a more protected location for the fishermen to keep their boats and gear, it became known as Boat Cove. 

However, fishermen were reluctant to move their boats to the new cove as it was easier for them to land their catches near the colonnade. It was a slow migration, but as the main beach became busier with holidaymakers, fishing activity moved to Boat Cove. 

At this time, two promontories ran into the sea at either end of the Lea Mount cliff. This created a small cove between Boat Cove and Coryton Cove. After a landslide tragically killed three members of a family picnicking in the small cove, the cliffs were scarped, and the rock cut from the cliff was made into a platform behind a sea wall called Early's Wall. This wall at the base of the cliff was built by local builder Richard Early and is known as Early's Wall. Early's wall created a promenade between the two coves, which is still there today.

At this time, there was a small stack of red rock just off Early's wall, which was called Old Maid. It used to be a tall, pointed rock with what looked like a head at the top and an archway through it. After the top fell off, it was called Toad Rock, as that is what it looked like. There is not much left of this rock now, and some people call it Muffin Rock.

By 1864, the main beach had been declared as the Lady's Swimming Beach, and so the fishermen were not always welcome there. Bathing Machines were operated and offered to the bathing ladies. Coryton Cove beach was known as The Gentlemen's Bathing Cove, and men were banned from swimming on the main ladies' swimming beach. The gentlemen had to swim out of sight around the cliff at Coryton. 

The Improvements to the Railways and Their Impact on the Fishing Trade

In 1873, the railway rails were changed to narrow gauge, and the lines doubled, as it is today. With the railway at the top of the beach, it was ideal for the fishermen to send their catches to London by rail. At this time, pilchards were prolific in the seas of Dawlish, and the fishermen were able to catch thousands of them. They packed them into barrels, which were then loaded on London-bound freight trains. 

The same year, a footbridge was built from Marine Parade to Boat Cove, providing access for visitors and fishermen.

The Evolving Amenities and Activities on the Shores of Dawlish

By 1880, the new Lady's Bathing Pavilion built on the seafront meant the bathing machine proprietors had competition. Fishermen continued to work at Boat Cove and nearby the bathing pavilion, keeping their clinker boats and gear opposite the Blenheim hotel.

In 1886, the first fisherman's shelter was built at Boat Cove. By this time, all the fishing boats had moved to Boat Cove, and pleasure boating became popular. Boats could be hired, and visitors could take a pleasure boat trip, although, on a very low tide, people had to make their way out beyond the Pout Wall to board a boat.

The Construction of the 'Kings Walk'

The Kings Walk pathway was built in 1902. This was the original walkway running from the railway station to Boat Cove. It was named the King's Walk, in honour of King Edward VII's coronation the same year. Halfway along the walk was a steep flight of steps to the beach, known as King Harry's Steps.

The Abundance of Marine Life in the Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, fish were plentiful. In 1906, boatman Charles Cotton and two others beat the local record for mackerel catching by hook and line. In less than 6 hours, the three hooked 850 mackerel. 

The Changing Customs of Bathing and the Rise of Leisure in Dawlish

Eventually, families were allowed back on Coryton beach. By 1906, the previously named Gentlemen's Bathing Cove became known as Coryton Cove. It is most likely named after the nearby railway tunnel. The tunnel was named after Miss Coryton, who lived at Cliff Cottage in the early 1800s, overlooking the cove.

Around 1915, working people across the country were taking paid holidays. Dawlish became a popular location for these holidaymakers, and the beach became an important attraction for families.

Beach huts popped up everywhere at Coryton Cove with all sorts of strange designs. Some were made of old bathing machines with their wheels removed. The Dawlish beaches were now a playground for children and adults alike.

Meanwhile, fishing from Boat Cove continued, with a second Boatman's Shelter built to replace the first. Barrels of fish continued to be sent to London by train until the 1920s.

The Impact of the Second World War and the Subsequent Rise in Leisure at Dawlish

The Second World War brought changes. There was the dramatic blowing up of the Lady's Bathing Pavilion. It was thought it could have been used as an enemy landing point. Anti-tank devices were dug into the beaches, and Coryton Cove was made out of bounds. 

After the war, the beaches at Dawlish were very popular throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. Trains brought an influx of visitors in the summer, especially on Saturdays. Everyone dressed to enjoy the sun and get a tan. It was now acceptable to undress on the beach, so all the tents and many of the huts disappeared.

Sailing, rowing and motor boats could be hired from Boat Cove, and fishing trips around the bay were available with local fishermen. Water polo matches were held just off the beach, which attracted big crowds, and annual water sports and swimming races were held in August. 

Boat Cove had rowing, fishing and motor boat hire. There were two-hour mackerel fishing trips from the cove in summer. There was even a Dawlish Regatta at Boat Cove in the 1960s. Pleasure boating continued to be a popular activity at Boat Cove in this period. 

Reflecting on the Present State of Boat Cove and its Enduring Legacy

The growth of overseas package holidays in the late 20th century meant there was a gradual decline in beach holidays at Dawlish, and boats could no longer be hired at Boat Cove by the end of the 1960s. However, throughout the later part of the century, fishing and leisure boating continued at the cove. 

In the 21st Century, Boat Cove is a quieter place with no commercial fishing activity. However, the cove has not lost its charm. The old fishing boat winches and tail-line rings are still there. Crab and lobster pots are still kept there. A few locals continue to fish from boats with crab pots and mackerel lines, and one winch is still used for hauling the 'Sea Dog' crabber boat up the slipway. Locals keep boats there for leisure and a spot of fishing. 

Boat Cove is a lovely sheltered beach for swimming, boating, paddleboarding and fishing. You can find cowrie shells and sea glass if you look closely. You can watch the spectacular steam trains race past in the summer, bellowing steam as they disappear into the tunnel. There is a cafe at Coryton Cove with beach huts for hire, and you can catch a pleasure boat trip in the summer right from Boat Cove beach. 

With all its history, Boat Cove is an important part of Dawlish life. It continues to be a place where you can connect with the past, have fun at the seaside, and make great summer memories.

With thanks to Dawlish History for publishing such useful resources, which I referenced when writing this article.

References:

• Dawlish Timeline, 17/01/2025. Dawlish History, Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/articles/timeline.pdf

• Dawlish History, Dawlish Beaches 1770 - 2020, Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/historyDA.html

• The Dawlish Gazeteer, 16/12/2022. Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/maps/dawlishgazetteer.pdf

• The History of Dawlish, T. Whiteaway, Dawlish History, http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/historyTW.html

• Dawlish History, Issue 154, October 2022. Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/newsletters/Newsletter2022Oct.pdf

• Boat Tragedy. Boat Cove boatmen Cotton and Rackley's rescue. Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/newsletters/Newsletter2012Mar.pdf

• Recollections of Pre-war Boat Cove. Phillip Daniell. Available at: http://www.dawlishhistory.org.uk/newsletters/Newsletter2006Sep.pdf

NEWS from LONDON.

Royal Navy Pilots Rescue Hostages During Unique Training with Dutch police.

28th February 2025.

Royal Navy pilots were involved in hostage rescues in the North Sea during boarding operations with Dutch allies as part of intensive mission training.

The Commando Helicopter Force’s 846 Naval Air Squadron took their Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters to Schiphol International Airport to work with the Dutch Police Aviation Support Unit and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.

Their training culminated in two maritime interdictions – military parlance for boarding operations – missions to rescue hostages from a Dutch coastguard ship.

“Training with our NATO allies is always invaluable as we get to see a familiar challenge tackled in a different way,” said Lieutenant Commander David Houghton-Barnes of 846 NAS.

“Fast roping to a moving ship is a demanding task, and it was impressive to see everyone working together to safely interdict the target vessel. 

“Most importantly, it reinforced our lasting friendships across the Channel so we can continue to learn from each other and collectively keep our sea lanes safe.”

The aviators worked together on planning and briefs for their hostage rescue at the Amsterdam international airport after making a two-and-a-half-hour flight from their home at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. 

The fliers then took to the skies loaded with assault troops. Their target was the Dutch coastguard vessel, Barend Biesheuvel, which in the scenario had been taken over by hostile actors who had taken hostages.

The Merlins moved in with Dutch Police AW139 helicopters providing overwatch of the situation as assault troops fast roped from the Merlins onto the deck of the vessel to carry out the complex rescue.

The helicopters launched from Schiphol airport – a huge challenge in itself due to the volume of flights coming in and out on its six runways.

“Planning an aviation exercise from the world’s third busiest airport certainly has its challenges, but our Dutch colleagues facilitated everything to ensure that this training was a huge success,” added Lieutenant Andy Duffield of 846 NAS.

LEARN MORE

846 Naval Air Squadron is one of the two frontline Merlin Squadrons that make up the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force. The Squadron fly the AgustaWestland Merlin Mk4 and is the home of the Operational Conversion Flight.

Led by Commander James Coleman, 846 Naval Air Squadron is historically an amphibious assault squadron, delivering Royal Marines from ship to shore. The Squadron has provided battlefield support in a number of operational theatres, including the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the home of the Operational Conversion Flight, 846 Naval Air Squadron train future pilots and aircrewmen to operate the Merlin Mk4.

References:

• Navy Pilots Take Part in Training Hostage Rescue with Dutch Allies, Royal Navy News, 28/02/2025. Available at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/february/28/250228-navy-pilots-take-part-in-training-hostage-rescue-with-dutch-allies

• 846 Naval Air Squadron. Royal Navy. Available at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/units-and-squadrons/merlin-mk-4/846-naval-air-squadron 

• Commander James Coleman, Commanding Officer 846 Naval Air Squadron. Biography. Royal Navy. Available at: https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/rnweb/organisation/units-and-squadrons/biographies/coleman-james-bio.pdf

NEWS from Paris. 

France's Violette Dorange is the youngest-ever finisher on the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race.

8th February 2025.

Violette Dorange completed her first Vendée Globe race at 10:39hrs (UTC) Sunday 9 February, becoming the youngest ever finisher on the solo round the world race at the age of 23. Dorange takes 25th place after 90 days, 22 hrs, 37 minutes at sea. 

The youngest skipper in this Vendée Globe had her fair share of problems. In the Indian Ocean, she completely dismantled and reassembled her pedestal ‘coffee grinder’ winch, which took seven hours.

Then things got tough south of Cape Leeuwin, where she passed in 26th position in tough conditions. In a 50-knot squall, the runner block broke. “I thought the mast was going to break in two. I was extremely lucky,” she said. Later facing a major engine failure that reduced her energy generation capacity.

Her accomplishment comes some 24 years after the 2000/01 second-place finish of the legendary British sailor Ellen MacArthur, then aged 24, who completed her race in 94 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes.

References:

• Violette Dorange is the youngest-ever finisher on the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race. Sailweb. 09/02/2025. Available at: https://www.sailweb.co.uk/2025/02/09/vendee-globe-violette-dorange-youngest-ever-finisher-on-the-solo-round-the-world-race/

• What is the Vendée Globe?  Vendée Globe. Available at: https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/what-vendee-globe

Learn About Teignmouth Commercial Port

Teignmouth Port is located on the Southwest coast of England at the mouth of the River Teign in the County of Devon.

Associated British Ports (ABP) operates the commercial side of the port. They handle various cargoes, including ball clay, animal feed, and other bulk materials.  

Teignmouth Harbour Commissioners are the Navigational Authority responsible for pilotage, regulating marine operations, ensuring safe navigation, and managing moorings within the harbour and estuary.  

The harbour has four berths for general cargo coasters, three on the Western Quay and one on the Eastern Quay. Vessels at Teignmouth are not always afloat but safely aground at low tide.  

Teignmouth Port exports around 150,000 tons of clay and imports 100,000 tons of animal feed per year. Other dry bulk cargoes have also been exported from Teignmouth including stone, blast furnace slag, and forestry products. Cargoes are commonly shipped between Teignmouth and Gdansk, Poland, and Ravenna and Gaeta, Italy.  

Teignmouth Harbour Commission provides ship Pilots to bring ships into the Port safely. They are highly skilled mariners providing navigation through Teignmouth's hazardous estuary.  

Navigating a ship into the River Teign estuary and Teignmouth Port is extremely challenging due to the estuary's shifting sandbar, called 'The Bar'. Additional challenges include the complex and strong tidal currents, limited channel depth and complex navigation through narrow channels with moored fishing and leisure vessels.

The major challenge is 'The Bar' at the estuary's entrance. 'The Bar' changes constantly due to tides, currents, and weather conditions, particularly in strong onshore winds. This means the depth and position of the navigable channel across 'The Bar' can vary significantly, even within short periods. This variability creates a risk of grounding, especially for larger vessels. One such ship was the tall ship 'The Pelican of London' that went aground when leaving the entrance to the estuary in September 2023 after visiting for the Teignmouth Shanty Festival. Fortunately, the Harbour Pilot boat, with assistance from some local mariners managed to push and tow it off the sand bar before the tide fell too far.

Despite the challenges of operating commercial shipping at Teignmouth, the sight of a large ship entering or leaving the narrow channel between Teignmouth Back Beach and Shaldon is always a spectacular one, providing great entertainment for locals and holidaymakers alike.

LEARN MORE

Teignmouth Port's operating load line zone is the North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II. The North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II designates a specific area within the North Atlantic where winter sea conditions are expected to be severe. Zone two's Winter period is from the 1st of November to the 31st of March, and Summer is from the 1st of April to the 31st of October. Therefore, ships docking at Teignmouth in Winter must adhere to the "winter" load line markings, which will be higher on the hull than the "summer" markings, meaning the ship must be loaded with less cargo. A ship's load line, also known as a Plimsoll line, is a marking on a ship's hull that indicates the maximum depth to which the vessel can be safely loaded in various water conditions.

Teignmouth Port can take ships with a maximum size of 120m Overall Length (LOA). Docking ships must have a maximum draught of 5.0m during Spring tides and 4m during Neap tides. The draught is the vertical distance between the waterline and the lowest point of the ship's hull, typically the keel, telling you how much of the ship is submerged. Ships at Teignmouth must also be loaded with a maximum cargo of 5,000 tons (DWT). DWT means Deadweight Tonnage and is a measure of a ship's carrying capacity in metric tons.

References:

• Teignmouth Harbour Commission. Available at: https://teignmouthharbour.com/

• Associated British Ports, Teignmouth. ABP. Available at: https://www.abports.co.uk/locations/teignmouth/

• Ship Nostalgia. Available at: https://www.shipsnostalgia.com

• Tall Ship - Pelican of London Grounded on a Sandbank. Teignmouth Shanty Festival 2023. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvM8ITLox0

• IMO Rules. Classification Society 2024 - Version 9.40. IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - Load Lines, 1966/1988 - International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as Amended by the Protocol of 1988 - Annex II - Zones, Areas and Seasonal Periods - Regulation 46 - Northern Winter Seasonal Zones and Area - (1) North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zones I and II. Available at: https://www.imorules.com/GUID-F433720D-07D7-4418-A6B1-C08A2EB5F419.html

NEWS from Dubai. 

Dubai Ports 'DP World' launches new direct freight service for United Arab Emirates, Iraq

The service, named P&O Maritime Transports, focuses on transporting “unaccompanied trailers” between Jebel Ali Port in the UAE and Umm Qasr Port in southern Iraq.

By utilising roll-on, roll-off (RORO) freight vessels, the trailers are loaded onto ships at the UAE port, while the drivers and truck cabs remain behind.

Upon arrival at Umm Qasr Port, an Iraqi truck takes over and transports the trailers to their final destinations within Iraq.

This innovative approach significantly reduces transportation time, with the journey taking approximately 36 hours compared to the previous 14-day land transport option.

The introduction of this service eliminates the need for time-consuming transport loading processes, mitigating risks such as cargo damage, contamination, and security threats.

It allows cargo owners and logistics companies to load a UAE-plated trailer in their local warehouse, ship it securely to Iraq, and receive the same trailer back.

This is particularly advantageous for transporting palletised or project cargo due to the enhanced payload capacity of road-going trailers, DP World said.

Reference:

• Dubai Ports 'DP World' launches new direct freight service for United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Arabian Business. Available at: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/dubais-dp-world-launches-new-direct-freight-service-for-uae-iraq

NEWS from Singapore. 

Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore to work with Imperial College London.

Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore to work with Imperial College London on advanced port systems for a sustainable and secure future.

The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore has signed a memorandum of understanding with this British university to advance innovations in zero-carbon shipping and ports.

The five-year partnership will bring together scientists and maritime experts from Imperial College London and Singapore to develop cutting-edge digital technologies, including port machines of great intelligence, cybersecurity solutions for “maritime Internet-of-Things” devices, and industrial control and operational technology systems.

The partnership will bring together scientists and maritime experts from the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore and Imperial College London.

References:

• Singapore's MPA Partners with UK University to Boost Green and Digital Shipping. Trade Winds. 09/10/2024. Available at: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/sustainability/singapore-s-mpa-partners-uk-university-to-boost-green-and-digital-shipping/2-1-1721604

• The Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, Cargo Terminals. Available at: https://www.mpa.gov.sg/port-marine-ops/operations/port-infrastructure/terminals

NEWS from Australia, Sydney. 

Great Britain's SailGP team 'Emirates GBR' team's dramatic win at Sydney Harbour.

8th February 2025.

Great Britain won the SailGP event in Sydney, Australia, marking their first win of the 2025 season at the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix; the victory came after a close final race against the home team, Australia and Canada. 

The Great Britain yacht was helmed by Dylan Fletcher who with his crew, battled to win the final against Australia and Canada.

Data provided by Sydney’s 11-strong F50 fleet shows that captain Tom Slingsby of Australia picked up the highest recorded speed in fleet racing, topping out at 96.4 km/h, while Brazil recorded the lowest top speed - 89.0 km/h. Denmark recorded the highest average starting speed of the fleet - 58.6 km/h. At the same time, surprisingly, it was last year’s season champions, Diego Botin and Spain, who recorded the slowest average starting speed of 45.6 km/h.

Sir Ben Ainslie was delighted with this news after a torrid few weeks, when his team made a bold move on the penultimate leg to move through Northstar Canada, helmed by double Olympic Gold medalist Giles Scott.

References:

• SailGP Brits Snatch Lead to Win.  Sail World. Available at: https://www.sail-world.com/news/283511/SailGP-Brits-snatch-lead-to-win-Final

• Emirates GBR Wins KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix Sydney. Available at: https://sailgp.com/news/25/emirates-gbr-wins-kpmg-australia-sail-grand-prix-sydney

NEWS from Panama. 

The Panama Canal Authority modernises the interoceanic waterway.

Since its inauguration in 1914, the Panama Canal has connected the world's oceans, transforming global trade and helping countless industries move goods more efficiently.

In the 21st century, global trade routes have shifted, and the Panama Canal has had to modernise its operations to cope with today's shipping traffic.

A key element of the canal's modernisation and reliability efforts has been the creation of the Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) programme. The canal switched from a 'first-in, first-out' system, to a 100% booking system for shipping traffic. The LoTSA programme allows shipping operators to pay a booking fee for transits, which gives them certainty and predictability.

LEARN MORE

The idea of the Panama Canal dates back to 1513, when the Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa first crossed the Isthmus of Panama. He wrote in his journal about the possibility of building a canal to connect the oceans.

The Isthmus of Panama is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal. Like many isthmuses, it is a location of great geopolitical and strategic importance.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa wrote in his journal about the possibility of building a canal to connect the oceans.

Women Who Changed the Maritime Workplace at the Panama Canal

The construction and operation of the Panama Canal is long and complex, but one of the interesting things about it is the role of Panamanian women in its operation during the 20th and 21st centuries.

It has been a long process, often invisible, most of the time but women have gained responsibility, rank, and status in all departments of Canal activity, leading the way to increasing involvement in other sectors of the local maritime industry. 

In June 1988, Sarah Terry made history by becoming the first woman to graduate from the Panama Canal towboat training programme and the first qualified woman pilot after completing the pilot-in-training programme. She retired in 2001.

The first Panamanian female Canal Pilot, is Captain Vilma Romero, who began her career in September 1998. There are currently six female Panama Canal Pilots. Romero is followed by Panamanian captains Marianela Smith, Katherine Rodriguez, Carolina de Acosta, Veronica Will, and Paola Castillo.

Today, of the Panama Canal’s total workforce of 8,493 permanent members, 1,018 are women of whom 163 are assigned to non-traditional positions. 

In Panama, women have been present in the development of the maritime sector since the construction of the Panama Canal and have accompanied the evolution and growth of today’s flourishing local maritime industry. 

Archives of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) report that ‘since June 1904, when the first woman was employed by the Isthmian Canal Commission as a superintendent of nurses, women have been making significant contributions to the Canal operations. During the construction period, the participation of women in the workforce gradually increased, and by 1908, there were 205 women on the rolls of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Most women held positions traditionally reserved for members of their gender, they have recently increased their participation in areas traditionally occupied by men.’

It has been a long process, often invisible, most of the time, but women have gained responsibility, rank, and status in all departments of Canal activity, leading the way to increasing involvement in other sectors of the local maritime industry. 

In June 1988, Sarah Terry made history by becoming the first woman to graduate from the Panama Canal towboat training programme and the first qualified woman pilot after completing the pilot-in-training programme. She retired in 2001.

The first Panamanian female Canal Pilot is Captain Vilma Romero, who began her career in September 1998. There are currently six female Panama Canal Pilots. Romero is followed by Panamanian captains Marianela Smith, Katherine Rodriguez, Carolina de Acosta, Veronica Will, and Paola Castillo.

Today, of the Panama Canal’s total workforce of 8,493 permanent members, 1,018 are women, of whom 163 are assigned to non-traditional positions.

References:

• Women Who Changed the Maritime Workplace at the Panama Canal. Maritime. Available at: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/women-who-change-the-maritime-workplace-at-the-panama-canal

• Women's International Shipping & Trading Association. Available at: https://wistainternational.com/association/wista-uk/

• Those Women Who Change the Maritime Workplace. Panama Maritime Review 2024-2025. Available at: https://cloud.3dissue.net/44177/43885/44480/126019/index.html?page-38

• The American Engineers that Built the Panama Canal. J. David Rogers. August 2014. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269204107_The_American_Engineers_that_Built_the_Panama_Canal

• The Panama Canal. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal