Match maritime assets with decent standards

I AM delighted to see reports emerging from State agencies which indicate that, at long last, this island nation of ours is becoming a serious player in international shipping.

Ireland has now established itself among the top 15 international centres for the highly lucrative business of ship finance and maritime commerce.

The Government-sponsored Irish Maritime Development Office, in Dublin, estimates that the portfolio value of Irish-financed ships stands at about €2.5 billion, which could rise to €15bn over the next three years.