Jehan Ashmore

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.

An exhibition in Isle of Man is to commemorate the loss in WW2 of the Mona's Queen which was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.

Exhibition in Isle of Man to Commemorate Loss of Mona's Queen During Dunkirk's Operation Dynamo

27th March 2023 Isle of Man

An exhibition about the Isle of Man Steam Packet's passenger steamer Mona's Queen which was lost at Dunkirk in northern France during WW 2 is to take place on 22nd May. The exhibition writes EnergyFM, is to commemorate the Mona's…

Holyhead, Anglesey has been designated 'freeport' status by the UK and Welsh governments having reached a deal for two Welsh freeports, the other successful bidder was Celtic Freeport (Milford Haven and Port Talbot).

Freeport Status Secured in North Wales in Move Backers Say Will Create Thousands of Jobs

27th March 2023 Ports & Shipping

A freeport status in Anglesey, north Wales has been secured in a move backers say will create thousands of jobs for the region. The Welsh Government in May, 2022 had reached an agreement with the UK Government to establish a…

Isle of Man fastferry Manannan is operating daytime sailings between Douglas and Heysham while the islands's main route ferry, Ben-My-Chree is undergoing scheduled repairs on Merseyside.

Isle of Man Overnight Ferry Sailings to Heysham Temporarily Suspended

27th March 2023 Ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has suspended overnight ferry sailings on the Douglas-Heysham route, the operator's main route until ropax Ben-my-Chree returns from scheduled repairs on Merseyside. According to BBC News, crossings during the morning from the Isle…

The Northern Lighthouse Board which has its headquarters in Edinburgh, is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) responsible for the lighthouses and buoys in Scotland and the Isle of Man where above at Douglas last year, their aids to navigation tender NLV Pharos (based in Oban) made a rare port of call. AFLOAT tracked today, the Irish Lights buoy-laying tender ILV Granuaile which is bound for Manx waters, as vessels from the combined GLA fleet, incl. Trinity House (that serves England, Wales and Channel Islands) share ships when required due to operational reasons. ILV Granuaile also during its career has been chartered-out for commercial purposes.

Major Refurbishment for Northern Lighthouse Board HQ in Edinburgh and Careers Show in Glasgow to Offer Apprenticeships

24th March 2023 Lighthouses

The Northern Lighthouse Board, the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for Scotland and the Isle of Man, is based in Edinburgh where the headquarters of the GLA is undergoing a major refurbishment. Located at 84 George Street, the headquarters of the…

The first cruise ship of the year to visit the Isle of Man, the Spitsbergen is to arrive in Douglas this Sunday, 26th March. The 180 passengers of the cruise ship operated by Hurtigruten, will call as part of ‘British Isles Cruise’ route. Above at the Manx capital, is a fleetmate, Maud which next month as Afloat previously reported, is to visit Waterford when the port's cruise season opens on 28th April.

Isle of Man Set for Record Cruise Season and Generate £1.7m

24th March 2023 Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is to welcome cruise passengers and generate around £1.7m to the island's economy in what will be a record year in the number of ships calling. The Manx Government's Department for Enterprise says it's expecting 18,000…

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has welcomed that the agreement on FuelEU Maritime introduces a requirement for ships to use shore side electricity at berth in TEN-T ports as well as in other ports which installed this infrastructure starting in 2030.

Europe’s Ports Welcome Agreement on FuelEU Maritime to Reduce Emissions from Shipping During Navigation & At Berth

23rd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is pleased to see that a preliminary agreement has been reached between co-legislators on the proposal for FuelEU Maritime. The agreement provides the shipping sector with a framework to accelerate their green transition through…

The new Vigo, Spain-UK (Merseyside) route by Suardiaz Group, which will service the Green Automotive Hub plant in Eastham near the Manchester Ship Canal, is projected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 30% and energy consumption by 37%, when compared to road travel. AFLOAT add that Suardiaz Shipping Lines, has operated Ro-Ro ships in western Europe since 1945, is currently focused on the sustainable, environmentally-friendly development of Motorways of the Sea (MoTS), in line with the European Commission’s priorities, such as Digitalisation 4.0, that will define the new era of logistics.

Peel Ports Launch Green Automotive Hub On Merseyside with New Spain-UK Route to Supply Parts for Vehicle Plant

23rd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

Peel Ports Group in the UK has announced plans for a new £10m Green Automotive Hub at Eastham on Merseyside to help power sustainable vehicle manufacturing ambitions at the Ellesmere Port vehicle manufacturing site. The Green Automotive Hub to be…

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has welcomed the more than 40 amendments tabled by six different political groups pleading for a new assessment of the importance of Europe’s ports in the TEN-T network.

TEN-T Policy Must Recognise Essential Role Ports Play in New Energy Supply Chains - ESPO

23rd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee is preparing its position on the TEN-T Commission proposal of 14 December 2021. More than 1800 amendments are on the table of the negotiators. The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the more than 40…

European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Vice Chairs Daan Schalck and Ansis Zeltiņš, EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean, ESPO Chair Zeno D’Agostino and ESPO’s Secretary General Isabelle Ryckbost.

ESPO Meets EU Transport Commissioner to Discuss Challenges Facing European Ports and Role of Green Transition

22nd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) met with the EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean today, to discuss challenges facing ports in Europe and the role of a green transition. The delegation consisted of ESPO’s Chair Zeno D’Agostino, Vice Chairs Daan…

The official start of the tourism season for Brittany Ferries started today with the first call of Armorique (above) to the Port of Cork. Armorique will make the call into Cork every Wednesday between now and November, and will be joined on the Ireland-France route from 1st April by the flagship Pont-Aven which will visit Ringaskiddy each Saturday.

Tourism Boost to Ireland as Brittany Ferries' New Season Commences With Roscoff Route Resuming

22nd March 2023 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries marks the start of the tourism season with the first sailing of Armorique to the Port of Cork today. The 30,000 ton, 1500 passenger cruise-ferry had sailed from Roscoff, Brittany and arrived at Ringaskiddy at 09:30 this morning with…

The scene in Leith Docks (near Edinburgh), shows a large ship in dry-dock and propped up against the wall of the structure. It is believed the vessel fell over in strong winds.

Ship In Scotland Topples Over in Dry-Dock With Multiple Injuries

22nd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

In Scotland, multiple people have suffered injuries after a ship toppled over in a dry-dock in Leith (near Edinburgh), a spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said. Emergency rescue services were dispatched to the incident at Leith Docks which is…

Peel Ports Group, a UK ports operator, has expanded onto the East Coast with the acquisition of Humber Bulk Terminal in north-east England. The Group also has an Irish operation in Dublin Port with the Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) located in Ringsend.

Peel Ports Group Expands into UK's East Coast with Acquisition of HES Humber Bulk Terminal

22nd March 2023 Ports & Shipping

One of the UK’s largest port operators, Peel Port Group has announces that it has completed the acquisition of HES Humber Bulk Terminal for an undisclosed sum. The ports group has acquired the business from specialist bulk terminals operator, HES…

The newbuild ferry, Glen Sannox continues to be heavily delayed at the shipyard of Ferguson Marine before it can enter service for CalMac on the Firth of Clyde route of Ardrossan-Brodick (Arran)

New Clyde Ferry Is Hugely Delayed will Need Eight Weeks of Trials after Shipyard Completion – CalMac

20th March 2023 Shipyards

Glen Sannox, the massively delayed Scottish ferry for operator CalMac, will need nearly two months of further tests before the 1,000 passenger capacity vessel can enter service on the Firth of Clyde. In addition the duel-fuelled powered ferry which is…

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Awards for this year has the theme ‘Nature Restoration Projects’ in its spotlight. Submissions for the competition are now open.

ESPO Award Will Place Nature Restoration Projects in Europe’s Ports in the Spotlight (Competition Open)

20th March 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award on Social Integration of Ports is entering its 15th edition, with the theme “Nature restoration projects in ports benefitting the local community”. Since ports are often located in or near different precious natural areas,…

The deployment will be the first international mission since 2018 when Naval Service vessels participated in the Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean. Among vessels then tasked in humanitarian rescues was conducted by LE James Joyce.

Naval Service Vessel Set for North Africa to Police Libyan Arms Embargo

18th March 2023 Navy

Plans to deploy a Naval Service vessel to the waters off North Africa by the Government is expected to be approved so to enable enforcement of a UN arms embargo on Libya. The contribution of the naval vessel to Operation…

A rally took place in Dover to mark one year on since P&O sacked hundreds of seafarers

Protesters Rally in Port of Dover on Anniversary of P&O Ferries Sackings

18th March 2023 Ferry

At the ferry port of Dover, protesters have gathered to mark the first anniversary when P&O sacked hundreds of seafarers and staff. Almost 800 people had lost their jobs when the ferry operator with routes from the UK to Ireland,…

How Holyhead’s breakwater (the longest in the UK) could look after major works that are required to repair and secure the north Wales port for the safety of ships.

Port of Holyhead Gets £20m from UK Spring Budget Towards Breakwater Restoration

16th March 2023 Ports & Shipping

The Port of Holyhead is to benefit from the UK Government’s Spring Budget which has pledged to give the Welsh Government £20m to help secure the future of the breakwater at the ferryport on Anglesey. The historic breakwater which is…

At the Port of Cork, personnel of the port company and Innovez One representatives pictured at the Tivoli Container Terminal. The New AI-powered port system is the latest step in digitalisation of port services and operations will boost efficiency and sustainability at Ireland’s second-busiest port.

Digitalisation to Accelerate at the Port of Cork with New AI-Powered Port System

16th March 2023 Port of Cork

An agreement between the Port of Cork Company and Innovez One, a provider of port management systems, is to accelerate the digitalisation of its port calls and operations. Under the agreement, Innovez One will provide its flagship software, “marineM”, to…

A French Navy ship FNS Garonne is nearing the end of a visit to Cork City Quays. The offshore specialist support ship is the newest of the four ‘Loire’-class with the leadship namesake (above) underway in the Mediterranean Sea.

French Navy Support Ship Calls to Cork City Quays While Ambassador Visits Naval Base

14th March 2023 Naval Visits

Cork City Quays is where a French Navy ship is berthed having arrived from a naval base in Brest, Brittany to the Munster city for an extended weekend port of call, writes Jehan Ashmore After a voyage of two days in…

Dublin Port lecture: ’The History of a Port City: Transport, Trade and an Archive’ is to be held on 29 March. Above scene from the port’s archives shows a busy Alexandra Basin from the 1920s where on the right shipbuilding took place. AFLOAT adds that the last ‘shipbuilding’ firm in the capital was the Liffey Dockyard which in 1958 built CIE’s Naomh Éanna. In January this year, the former Aran Islands ferry/cargoship when across the river in Grand Canal Dock (see below chimneys: Ringsend/Dodder) had partially capsized in a Georgian-era graving/dry-dock, itself a former vessel-building site.

Lecture on Dublin Port: ’The History of a Port City: Transport, Trade and an Archive'

14th March 2023 Dublin Port

Dublin Port Company’s Heritage Director, Lar Joye,will participate in this year’s Spring Lecture Series by Trinity College Dublin and the Dublin Cemeteries Trust. This series of four lectures is titled - Dublin: People, Places and their Heritage. As for the…