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.
Cruise Tourism Growth as First Minister of Wales Celebrates Holyhead Ship Visit
11th July 2026 Cruise Liners
The First Minister of Wales has hailed cruise tourism as a key driver of the Welsh visitor economy, reports BreakingTravelNews. Rhun ap Iorwerth made his comment during a first official engagement with the cruise industry since taking office, signaling continued…
Harland & Wolff Pitching for UK-Dutch Navy Transport Ships - Part of Huge £2.4bn Deal
10th July 2026 Shipyards
Shipyard Harland & Wolff, Belfast, is pitching to build a major fleet of transport ships for the navies of the UK and the Netherlands as part of a huge £2.4bn deal. The Queen’s Island-based yard’s owner, Navantia UK, says Harland…
Galway Naval Reserve Base Has Merit but Minister Stops Short on Commitment
8th July 2026 Galway Harbour
A commitment to expand a naval reserve presence in Galway Harbour has been stopped short by the government, despite acknowledging that there is "merit" in the proposal. In Dáil Éireann, Defence Minister Helen McEntee responded to a question from Galway…
ESPO Award 2026 Sees Irish Ports Compete Among Dual-Use Port-City Projects
8th July 2026 Ports & Shipping
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Secretariat has received eleven submissions for the 18th edition of the ESPO Award. This year’s theme, “Dual-Use Port-City Projects” highlights projects that develop port infrastructure and space in a way that it continues to…
A series of 7,000 dwt newbuilds currently on order at Dajin Shipyard, China, follows a partnership between shipowners Carrisbrooke Shipping of the Isle of Wight and Dutch operator Royal Wagenborg. Under the agreement, the Cowes-based shipping company Carisbrooke will remain…
Dunmore East Harbour's €12m Cruise-Berth Considered in 2019 – Nothing Happened Since
8th July 2026 Cruise Liners
Documents obtained by Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane, through the Freedom of Information Act, have revealed that in 2019, the Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Marine paid RPS, an engineering and consulting firm, to carry out a feasibility…
Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) newest ferry is set to be taken out of action to enable repairs for 15 weeks after entering service in south-west Scotland. The 450-passenger MV Isle of Islay, the first of twins to be built at a…
Brittany Ferries, the largest operator on the English Channel, has announced major plans to close routes and sell ships as it battles with financial challenges. The Breton-based company will sell the 1992-built Barfleur, which serves travelers on the Poole-Cherbourg route…
For the first time, ferry ‘foot’ customer passengers can travel tonight (1 July) with Hibernia Line since its inaugural crossings commenced last month, writes Jehan Ashmore With the key peak season underway, Hibernia Line now welcomes foot passengers to book…
At the Port of Liverpool there has been a recorded sharp increase in fertiliser import enquiries as UK supply chain operators reassess routing and port strategies amid ongoing global trade uncertainty. The Merseyside port operated by Peel Ports Group has…
At a Dutch shipyard a newbuild was launched for Carisbrooke Shipping of Cowes, Isle of Wight. The Royal T Shipyards at their Harlingen yard is where the MV Heleen C, a 7,720 dwt general cargo vessel, took to the waters…
Exhibition: Dublin Shipping Ltd - The 'Wavy Navy' at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland
29th June 2026 Ports & Shipping
A brand-new exhibition celebrating the former tanker operator Dublin Shipping Ltd with its ships, history, people, and stories behind its maritime heritage was officially launched at the weekend by Mr. Liam Lacey, Director of the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO).…
At a shipyard in Turkey, infrastructure body Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has taken formal ownership of three ferries being built. They are to serve CalMac routes on Scotland’s west coast—despite them not yet being completed. The three ferries are…
The recent heat has caused the metal superstructure of Ramsey's Swing Bridge, located on the Isle of Man's northeast coast, to expand at both ends. According to the Department of Infrastructure, the hot weather has caused the metal superstructure to…
P&O Ferries, which operates Larne-Cairnryan and Dover-Calais, has announced its longer UK land-bridge route of Hull-Rotterdam with the launch of a new dedicated Sleep Lounge. The North Sea route between the English northeast port and the Dutch port now offers…
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released new figures that show that Irish Ports had handled 12.7 million tonnes of goods during the first quarter of this year. This is a decrease of 2% when compared with the first quarter…
Balaena, a UK maritime engineering and shipbuilding group, has acquired the APCL Group, which operates four shipyards. They comprise Cammell Laird at Birkenhead, A&P Tyne, A&P Falmouth, and Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company—in England. Commenting on the acquisition, Simon Gillett,…
Former Naval Service Vessels Exhibits Unveiled at Inishowen Maritime Museum
24th June 2026 Coastal Notes
An historic naval anchor and propeller are installed outside the popular Greencastle attraction in Co. Donegal. Visitors to the Inishowen Maritime Museum, reports DonegalLive, can now see two significant new exhibits that were unveiled after being donated by the Irish…
Traffic Up from Cork as Brittany Ferries Opens 2027 Holiday Bookings
24th June 2026 Brittany Ferries
Travellers from Munster heading to the continent for holidays are choosing the ferry option in increasing numbers – as the recent inauguration of a new year-round Cork-to-France route is proving. Operator Hiberia Line launched a new route between Ringaskiddy in Cork…
A newbuild freight ship for the Isles of Scilly arrived in Cornwall, England, taking a step closer to strengthening services to the islands almost 30 miles offshore. The Menawethan made its maiden call to Penzance Harbour after a two-month delivery…
