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.

View from the Bridge: Barfleur, which Brittany Ferries is to sell as part of a major restructuring of its central English Channel operations, leading to fears from workers at Poole Port (as above with the local Sandbanks-Shell Bay chain-ferry). The Dorset port links Cherbourg, France, from where the ferry firm also has its route with Rosslare Europort.

Poole Port Workers Fear Cuts as Brittany Ferries to Axe Route to Cherbourg

22nd August 2026 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries is to axe two of its English Channel routes, and this includes up to 20 jobs expected to be axed on its Poole-Cherbourg, France, service. As Afloat reported in June, the ferry operator announced that it would end…

Police investigate 'unruly and rude' youths targeting ferry passengers and cruise ship visitors at the Sea Terminal in the Manx capital

‘Anti-Social’ Behaviour as Youths Target Ferry & Cruise Passengers

22nd August 2026 Isle of Man

The Isle of Man Constabulary has issued a warning after incidents took place at the Sea Terminal in Douglas. Following a reported increase in "unruly and rude behaviour" by young people around the terminal in the Manx capital, police say…

Ferguson Marine, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, at Port Glasgow, says it expects to cut up to 70 employees. The facility, Afloat highlights, has become synonymous with the ongoing CalMac ferry fiasco since 2018, the year twin newbuilds were to enter service, but they became massively over-budget and delayed. Second ship, Glen Rosa, remains to be completed; however, the shipyard has confirmed that the consultation process will not impact the delivery, to join lead ship Glen Sannox on the Isle of Arran route across the Firth of Clyde.

Scottish Shipyard Ferguson Marine to Axe Nearly Quarter of Its Clydeside Workforce

20th August 2026 Shipyards

The Scottish Government-owned shipyard, Ferguson Marine, located on the Clyde at Port Glasgow, has announced plans to cut nearly a quarter of its workforce. Workers at the nationalised shipyard in late 2019 have been invited to apply for voluntary redundancies,…

Among ICG shareholders, Pageant Investments, with 2% holding, announces it has already voted against the management buyout (MBO). Above: Irish Ferries cruise ferry, Isle of Inishmore, which serves the Dover-Calais route along with Oscar Wilde between the UK and France.

Irish Ferries Owner ICG Brings Forward Results to Give Shareholders More Time on MBO

19th August 2026 Irish Ferries

Maritime transport operator Irish Continental Group (ICG) is bringing forward the release of its financial results for the first half of this year, as shareholders consider a €1.2bn management buyout bid (MBO) for the company. ICG, which owns the ferry division, Irish…

Freight-ferry, M.V. Arrow, has resumed Isle of Man service having been dry-docked on Merseyside after an oil leak was found.

Manx Freight Ferry M.V. Arrow Returns to Service after Repairs

18th August 2026 Ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s freight ferry Arrow has returned to service following repairs on Merseyside. As Manx Radio reports, the ro-ro backup vessel went into drydock this month at Balaena’s recently acquired Birkenhead shipyard after an oil…

The bulk-carrier M.V. Matthew, which was at the centre of Ireland's largest drugs bust, could have realised millions of euro — but apparently nobody told Revenue. The 28,647 ton dry cargo ship is seen under tow in Cork Harbour when bound for Bulgaria, where the sold ship is to be refurbished for the Black Sea grain trade.

MV Matthew Could Have Fetched $3.9m for Scrap, Irish Examiner Reports

18th August 2026 Port of Cork

The cocaine-busted mothership MV Matthew off the Irish coast, which was sold for $1 after costing the State almost €17m to maintain and berth in Port of Cork, could have been worth up to $3.9m (€3.36m) in scrap metal could have…

A global research study according to Rome2Rio, analysed internal search figures to reveal ferry routes that are booming in summer 2026. Among the findings, it that travellers are increasingly basing themselves from the Croatian coast’s Istrian peninsula and hopping across the Adriatic Sea to Venice, Italy, for day trips rather than the other way around. Also operating along the Croatian coast, but its isles and Adriatic to central and southern, Italy, is Jadrolinija, whose Marko Polo marked the line’s 75th anniversary last year. The company used to run the former B&I Line ferry, M.V. Connacht, which Afloat tracked and reported recently to shipbreakers.

Ferry Global Border Routes Are Booming in 2026 - from Ireland to Croatia & Japan

15th August 2026 Ferry

With ‘flight disruptions’ still fresh in the memory and ‘slow travel’ showing no signs of losing steam, according to a research study by Rome2Rio, a growing number of holidaymakers are looking beyond airports entirely, and ferry routes are emerging as…

‘We are Sailing’: In what English Channel ‘sailing’ operator Saillink describes themselves as the first low-carbon ferry link between the UK and France, Dover-Calais, is next month to trail a second route of Dover-Boulogne-sur-Mer. The 4-5 hour passenger-only service run by Mer Agitée, an 18m catamaran built from reused ocean-racing parts, links the French port, where new start-up, Hibernia Line, launched in June a conventional twin ro-pax service with Cork.

New 'Sail-Powered' Ferry Service on English Channel Set to Start

14th August 2026 Ferry

On the English Channel a new first ‘sailing’ ferry service is launching between the UK and France next month using a high-performance 12-passenger-only catamaran. The eco-friendly operator, SailLink (Afloat notes, similarly named to the long-defunct ferry firm Sealink), inaugurated in…

Choppy Seas: Dissenting institutional investors of ICG claim the debt and earnings picture underpinning bid multiples are misleading. Above: One of the six ships of Irish Ferries, Isle of Inisheer, battles against strong winds and rough seas as it arrives at the Port of Dover, Kent, from Calais. The ropax, Afloat add, was transferred in recent years to the Dublin-Cherbourg route, boosting capacity on the Ireland-France connection.

Major Shareholders of ICG Oppose Management Buyout’s €1.2bn Deal As Undervalued

14th August 2026 Irish Ferries

Several big shareholders of Irish Ferries, parent company the Irish Continental Group (ICG), oppose the planned sale of the ferry operator to management, led by chief executive Eamonn Rothwell, arguing last month’s announcement of a €1.2 billion deal undervalues the…

Belfast Icons: The Samson and Goliath gantry cranes symbolise the engineering and maritime heritage of Harland & Wolff shipyard, which, after two decades, are to return to service for constructing naval newbuilds.

Belfast's 'Samson & Goliath' Return to Service as Navantia UK's (H&W) Re-Enters Naval Market

12th August 2026 Shipyards

Belfast Harbour’s iconic yellow gantry shipyard cranes, Samson and Goliath, are returning to regular service for the first time in over two decades at the Queen's Island site, according to a report from Yahoo Finance. As IndexBox writes, the cranes,…

Navantia UK’s new deck cargo pontoon, NUK Seahorse is to transport modular blocks for three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, from their Appledore shipyard, England to Harland & Wolff, Belfast where final assembly is to take place. The pontoon is for unmanned towing operation, principally the carriage of FSS modules between fabrication facilities, but also for unrestricted navigation, deep sea tows carrying and a variety of deck cargoes. The Appledore yard, under other owners, built all six ships of the Irish Naval Service P50 and P60 OPVs.

Navantia UK Launch New Barge to Transport Modular Blocks for RFA (FSS) Programme

11th August 2026 Shipyards

A new transport barge, built by Navanita UK's one of two facilities in Scotland, will carry shipyard-built blocks between Appledore, England, and Belfast, supporting the delivery of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, writes Jehan Ashmore. The…

The historic Langton Dock Pumphouse, a Grade II listed landmark within the Port of Liverpool estate, has undergone an extensive restoration following a £1 million investment by Peel Ports Group. While back across the Irish Sea, Dublin Port’s ‘Shipwrecks of Dublin Bay’ exhibition as Afloat reported on 18 June continues to be held at the Dublin Port Substation until September.

Liverpool's Historic Langton Dock Pumphouse Restored Following £1m Investment

10th August 2026 Ports & Shipping

At the Port of Liverpool, a landmark restoration project has given new life to the historic Langton Dock Pumphouse, demonstrating Peel Ports Group's commitment to preserving the region's industrial heritage. The Grade II listed building has undergone an extensive restoration…

Join in this special celebratory event to mark the rich maritime heritage that links Rosslare and Fishguard harbours since the Ireland-Wales ferry route established 120 years ago. Above the current St George's Channel ferry, the ro-pax Stena Nordica, is berthed at the Co. Wexford port.

Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre to Celebrate 120 Years of Route to Fishguard

10th August 2026 Rosslare Europort

This month the Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre is proud to present a special exhibition of photographs and artefacts commemorating the 120th anniversary of the Rosslare–Fishguard ferry service (1906–2026). The maritime heritage centre welcomes those to join the official launch…

Among the cruise call trio scheduled, is Azamara Quest, of the R-Class at anchorage on Lough Foyle is set to return to the north-west when it is scheduled this Saturday.

Busy Time as Three Cruise Callers Expected to Foyleport this Week

10th August 2026 Cruise Liners

Three cruise ship calls are expected to visit Foyleport this week, involving two inaugural calls and one return visit, writes Jehan Ashmore. The first of the scheduled cruise trio is Star Legend, operated by Windstar Cruises, which is due to…

Bringing Hope: Arriving from Aberdeen, Scotland, last night to Dublin Port was the M.V. Logos Hope, which sells affordable books to communities around the world. The former 12,000 ton Faroes ferry is today and to 16 August, open to paid ‘immersive’ tours, where visitors meet the volunteer crew, hear their journeys, learn how it connects port communities globally through knowledge, help, and hope. Onboard is also a café open to visitors that is part of a recent refurbishment.

Dubliners Today Board World’s Largest ‘Floating’ Bookfair As Part of Week Long Visit

9th August 2026 Dublin Port

Logos Hope, the world’s largest 'floating' book fair, arrived at Dublin Port last night to embark on its second visit to the capital, not since 2009; however, visitors will have another opportunity to board, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 12,519 ton…

We do love a little nose around an old building—but what about a ship too! In this case, it will be the LÉ Samuel Beckett (P63), an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) designed to work in the harsher seas of the Atlantic and which opens to public tours in Cork city’s central quays.

'Floating’ Space Along with More New Buildings for Cork Heritage Open Day

9th August 2026 Coastal Notes

Visitors later this month will have a total of 42 historic buildings to access in Cork City and quays when they throw open their doors free of charge on Saturday, 15th August. The annual event will give the public a…

It is expected the Manx freight ferry, M.V. Arrow, above at Douglas, will return to the Heysham service on Sunday 16 August.

Manx Freight Ro-Ro Arrow to Enter Dry Dock after Oil Leak Found

9th August 2026 Ferry

The ferry and freight operator, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, says its cargo-only vessel is to enter dry dock this weekend. The M.V. Arrow as previously reported in a backup role, will be going to APCL Cammell Laird, recently…

The strength of personnel and crew members of the Naval Service is still 239 below the target, with only half of the 8-fleet available for operations on a rotational basis. Above, the LÉ Samuel Beckett (P61) is seen departing astern within Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Applications for Naval Service Grow but Numbers Remain Short of Requirement

9th August 2026 Navy

People applying to join the Naval Service have increased by 64% in the past year. The rise in personnel, however, shows that the strength of the Cork Harbour-based navy is still 239 below the target number. In addition to the…

Ongoing recruitment drive, so far 160 new colleagues have joined Navantia UK this year, across the shipyards and facilities of Appledore, Arnish, Belfast, Methil and in addition to Bristol and London offices. Teams are working on a major naval contract for the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary, ship repair, commercial exports, offshore energy fabrication, backed by £157m plus investment.

Navantia UK Launches Recruitment Drive for Roles at Shipyard Harland & Wolff

8th August 2026 Jobs

Navantia UK has launched a recruitment drive for its largest shipyard, Harland & Wolff, Belfast Harbour, as it continues to expand the workforce delivering major naval shipbuilding programmes. The company is recruiting 28 skilled workers in total. This will involve 21…

Rare opportunity - as the spectacular Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse is opening its doors to the public for just one weekend, (29-30 August) giving visitors the chance to climb to the top and soak up some truly breathtaking coastal views.

Iconic Cork Lighthouse - Old Head of Kinsale to Open to Public for One Weekend

8th August 2026 Lighthouses

One of Cork’s most iconic lighthouses, the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse, in the west of the county is opening its doors to the public for just one weekend this month. This will give a rare chance for visitors to…