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Jehan Ashmore

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

In a historic landmark event symbolising the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland, Harland & Wolff Group welcomed the largest cross-party delegation of Westminster politicians to the group’s largest shipyard in Belfast. The delegation led by Hilary Benn, MP, last month got the chance to tour the yard site and meet with the workforce.

Historic Visit to Harland & Wolff as Shipyard Host Largest Cross-Party Delegation of MPs

19th April 2024 Shipyards
At the iconic Belfast shipyard of Harland & Wolff, a landmark event that symbolised the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland took place when the yard welcomed last month a cross-party delegation of MP’s. Ben Murray, Chief of Staff and…
A £28 million contract to build a new N.I. government-owned research vessel has been awarded to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo S.A. AFLOAT highlights this is the same shipyard that in 2022 built the RV Tom Crean for the Marine Institute as well to using the same (ST-366) design.

New N.I. Research Vessel Sees Stormont Award £28m Contract to Spanish Shipyard Astilleros Armon

18th April 2024 Shipyards
In Northern Ireland a £28 million contract to build a new government-owned research vessel (RV) has been awarded to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo S.A. The contract for the 52.8m newbuild comes from the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural…
Patria Seaways, which as Stena Traveller inaugurated Stena Line’s Dublin-Holyhead route in 1995, currently serves DFDS on the Strait of Gibraltar, having acquired operator FRS on the busy Spain-Morocco market in the western Mediterranean, where Stena Line acquired shares with rival Africa Morocco Line (AML), marking also a first presence in this market. AFLOAT.ie awaits a response from Stena as to the future of Stena Europe, which recently left Rosslare-Fishguard, so could it return to the ‘Strait’ like last year, when chartered with another operator, but by joining AML?

Stena Follows Scandinavian Rival to the Strait of Gibraltar As DFDS Acquired Operator FRS Iberia/Maroc

18th April 2024 Ferry
Stena Line’s recent announcement of acquiring shares in Africa Morocco Link (AML) follows another Scandinavian ferry rival, DFDS, which in January completed the process in its acquisition of a Strait of Gibraltar operator, writes Jehan Ashmore. It was in September…
Renewables: On a visit to Harland & Wolff’s Arnish yard, Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland, who praised the ongoing work in Arnish, along with Methil, both H&W sites in Scotland are to be transformed into hubs for renewable infrastructure through a £270m investment.

Harland & Wolff to Transform Scottish Sites into Renewables Hubs with £270m Investment

17th April 2024 Power From the Sea
Shipyard group Harland & Wolff has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) regarding the company’s plans to transform its Arnish and Methil facilities into leading hubs for renewable infrastructure. Proposals for Harland & Wolff’s Scottish…
Dublin Swift swings off Ferry Terminal (no. 1) at Dublin when bound for Holyhead; such high-speed craft 'seasonal’ services resume next month in tandem with Irish Ferries year-round running cruise-ferries.

Dublin Swift’s Countdown to Dublin-Holyhead High-Speed Craft (HSC) Seasonal Operated Service

17th April 2024 Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries high-speed craft (HSC) Dublin Swift has been tracked by Afloat to Cardiff Docks, south Wales, where the vessel has been wintering, but in a month’s time is to resume seasonal service, writes Jehan Ashmore. According to the Irish…
As part of refurbishment is the Forward Lounge of fast-craft Manannan of the IOM Steam Packet – it is hoped to operate a year round service between Douglas and the ‘new’ ferry terminal in Liverpool. In March, the craft resumed seasonal service to Liverpool and last month to Dublin Port.

Hopes for 'Year-Round' Operated Isle of Man-Liverpool Service

16th April 2024 Ferry
Once the new £70m ferry terminal in Liverpool Docks is in operation, it is hoped the Isle of Man Steam Packet can put on a year-round operated service between Douglas and Merseyside. The Steam packet’s fast-ferry Manannan currently does not…
Bow of the newbuild Arklow Guard, the final of five short-sea traders on the stocks at the Dutch shipyard of Ferus Smit at Westerbroek.

Launching of the Arklow Guard Completes Final 5,150dwt 'G' Class Trader

16th April 2024 Arklow Shipping
The fifth and final of the 5,150dwt class, Arklow Guard, was launched at Ferus Smit’s Dutch inland shipyard in Westerbroek, writes Jehan Ashmore. Its launch on Friday saw the single-hold cargo ship take to the waters transversely into the adjacent…
A key decision is awaited on plans to sink the small ship MV Shingle off the Mayo coast, creating an artificial reef for tourism. The vessel was arrested in 2014 for smuggling, had been idle in Dublin Port (as above in Afloat’s photo) for almost a decade until last year, and is currently in dry dock at New Ross Boatyard.

Decision Awaited on Plans to Sink Ship into Artificial Reef off Mayo Coast

15th April 2024 Diving
A tourism project in Co. Mayo is waiting to hear if a decision will lead it to receiving a licence to tow a small ship into Killala Bay as part of a plan to create an artificial reef, reports the…
Due to planned maintenance of safety equipment, the former flagship, Ben-my-Chree will operate today’s Manxman's daytime sailings between Douglas-Heysham.

Change of Ferry Sees Former Flagship Step in for Manxman During Planned Maintenance

15th April 2024 Ferry
Last week, the Isle of Man Steam Packet announced a change of ferry for day-time crossings on its Douglas-Heysham route. As Manx Radio wrote, those travelling on the IOM-England route on Monday (15 April) will be on board the ropax Ben-my-Chree,…
MV Bore Song began its charter to Stena Line on the Dublin-Liverpool (Birkenhead) route, the Ireland-UK link that the company opened two months ago today. The 195-metre ro-ro vessel is seen berthed at the 12 Quays Terminal, Birkenhead, before it yesterday made its maiden crossing.

Freight Ship Begins Service on Stena Line's Dublin – Liverpool Route Boosting Capacity by 30%

15th April 2024 Stena Line
Stena Line has introduced a larger (chartered) ro-ro freight ferry, Bore Song, on the Dublin – Liverpool (Birkenhead) route, which will increase capacity on the Ireland-England route by 30%. The Dublin-Liverpool dedicated freight service has been operational since 15th February…
At the Port of Larne, is where former P&O Ferries workers held a protest with union colleagues in March 2022 following firing of 800 personnel in the UK and Ireland. Above at the port is European Causeway, one of two ropax’s that the company operate on the North Channel route linking Cairnryan, Scotland. Last year, their Dublin-Liverpool route closed, but other routes remain with UK-France/Netherlands.

Profits at P&O Ferrymasters in Larne Port Recorded £11.1m in Year Parent Company Sacked 800 Staff & Crew

13th April 2024 Ferry
In Larne Port, Co.Antrim, P&O Ferrymasters recorded a pre-tax profit of £11.1 million in results for the year in which its parent company, P&O Ferries, fired 800 workers across the UK and Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph reveals. According to accounts for…
Making its debut into Irish waters, Bore Song, a ro-ro freight ferry that arrived at Dublin Port this afternoon from Germany, is to begin its charter role for Stena Line’s route to Birkenhead (Liverpool) next week. Its introduction on the core Irish Sea route will boost freight capacity by 30% on the unaccompanied Ireland-UK freight route.

Chartered Bore Song Sails into Dublin Port Prior to Starting Stena Line's 'Permanent' Freight Ferry

12th April 2024 Stena Line
Bore Song, the 25,586 gross tonnage ro-ro freight ferry that Stena Line has chartered for Irish Sea service, completed its repositioning voyage from Lübeck, Germany, to Dublin Port this afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore. On arrival in Dublin Bay at 1330…
At the launch of the new Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO) network are (from left) Stephen Kane (NIMO chair), Kerry Muldoon (NIMO member),  Kieran Donoghue (Invest NI chief executive) and John Patterson (head of defence at Artemis Technologies) with their Spirit of Belfast berthed alongside at the craft’s namesake port and the iconic backdrop of Harland & Wolff shipyard.

New Northern Ireland Government Backed Body Aims to Propel Maritime Excellence

11th April 2024 Ports & Shipping
The Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore network (NIMO) is a new government-backed body, to unlock commercial opportunities in the growing maritime and offshore sector has been created. The region currently employs more than 5,000 people in the sector and contributes…
Danish ferry company DFDS reaffirms its commitment to the electrification of English Channel transport after meeting today with the UK Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform. Above Delft Seaways on the Dover-Dunkirk route. AFLOAT adds that the DFDS-only Ireland-Europe ‘passenger’ route of Rosslare-Dunkirk is currently using an alternative ropax, A F Claudia, on some of their sailings until mid-April. The A-F Claudia was observed last month in Rosslare Europort when on charter from Adria Ferries, operator of Italy-Albania routes.

English Channel: DFDS to Deploy Fleet of Battery Electric Ferries on its Strait of Dover Routes

11th April 2024 Ferry
Ferry operator, DFDS reaffirms commitment to the electrification of English Channel transport after meeting today the UK Minister for Investment and Regulatory Reform, Lord Dominic Johnson. DFDS's long-term goal is to have up to six battery-powered vessels operating on its…
A sight to behold, the Sørlandet, which arrived in Dublin Bay this morning and took anchorage in Scotsman’s Bay, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, having sailed from the Azores.

World's Oldest Fully-Rigged Tall Ship Arrives on Dublin Bay to Anchor off Dun Laoghaire Harbour

11th April 2024 Dublin Bay
Making an impressive sight in Dublin Bay this morning is the world's oldest and most authentic fully-rigged ship still in active service, the Norwegian-flagged Sørlandet, writes Jehan Ashmore. Sørlandet with several sails set aloft approached Scotsman’s Bay, where it anchored…
De Wadden: After many months of planning by Wicklow maritime enthusiasts, large sections of the former Arklow general cargo sailing vessel ‘De Wadden’ built in 1919 are now back in the vessel’s Irish home port. AFLOAT adds that the schooner was the last to trade under sail in the Irish Sea, calling to ports on both sides, including Liverpool, with cargoes, chiefly coal, pit props, gravel, and burnt ore from Arklow.

Maritime Community Save Sections of Historic Sail Cargo Trader ‘De Wadden’ and Return Home to Arklow

10th April 2024 Historic Boats
A community of Wicklow maritime enthusiasts, after many months of planning, has secured large sections of Arklow's historic last sail cargo vessel ‘De Wadden’ that were returned to the schooner’s home port, having been a static-ship exhibit in the UK.…
Newbuild launched: MV Glen Rosa, the second of two dual fuel vessels being built at Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, was launched today on the Clyde. The newbuild, Afloat adds, along with the twin, MV Glen Sannox, was considerably delayed as the ferry was due to enter service in 2018. The pair are to serve CalMac's Arran route in south-west Scotland.

Second of Twin Dual-Fuel Ferries MV Glen Rosa Launched and Officially Named on the Clyde

9th April 2024 Shipyards
The newbuild MV Glen Rosa, the second of two dual fuel ferries being built at Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, was successfully launched into the Clyde today (9 April). Like twin lead ferry MV Glen Sannox, the MV Glen…
Strait of Gibraltar: Stena Line has acquired a stake of shares in Morocco based ferry company Africa Morocco Link (AML) linking Spain.

Stena Line Acquires Shares in Africa Morocco Link to Expand Outside of Europe

8th April 2024 Stena Line
Swedish operator Stena Line has entered into an agreement to acquire 49 percent of the shares in Morocco based ferry company Africa Morocco Link (AML). AML is headquartered in Tangier operating a ferry route between Tanger Med – Algeciras, Spain…
New long-term framework covers projects across the Peel Port Group’s entire portfolio of UK and Ireland sites which includes the Group’s Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) located at Ringsend on the south bank of Dublin Port. AFLOAT also add the Group over the last decade has invested over €30 million across MTL’s infrastructure and the terminal has a throughput of 250,000 TEU’s per year, with direct LoLo connections with ports in Central Europe and Irish Sea as well as feeder services connecting us with the Far East, India and South America. Companies already working with MTL to manage supply chains include BG Freight (a Group subsidiary), CMA/CGM, DFDS, MacAndrews and Seago Maersk.

Peel Ports Group Seeking Bids for £750m Construction Works Across Group's Portfolio of UK & Ireland Sites

8th April 2024 Ports & Shipping
The UK’s second-largest port operator, Peel Ports Group is inviting contractors to submit bids for two new frameworks covering a major long-term programme of construction works across its UK and Ireland sites, worth a total of £750 million. The port…
Tánaiste, Foreign & Defence Minister, Micheál Martin, has officially announced the names for two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait at the Naval Service Base at Haulbowline, Cork Harbour. They are to carry out fishery duties, etc on the Irish Sea, east and south-east. AFLOAT adds the long standing practice for naming Naval Service vessels has been of female mythological and historical personages, but the Tánaiste reverted to the use of traditional Irish names for the IPV’s, following a departure from this practice, when the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) P60 class were named after notable Irish male literary figures, starting with lead ship, LÉ Samuel Beckett.

Inshore Patrol Vessels of the Naval Service Named LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait

6th April 2024 Navy
The Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Defence yesterday officially announced the names of the two newest additions to the Naval Service fleet, which had been purchased from the New Zealand Government. The Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) named the LÉ…
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