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.

The Docklands Business Forum said approval for Dublin's Port €320m masterplan 'beggars belief'. Above AFLOAT's (file) photo of Alexandra Basin where Phase 1 of the port masterplan involved major reconfiguration of quays and additional hard-standing capacity for cargoes. In this scene is the former Tara Boliden Mines zinc/ore concentrate Bulk Jetty (see loading chute into hold of Arklow Fern which departed the capital on 30 June and reached Odda, Norway today). The facility located in the centre of the basin was demolished last year and replaced with a new mineral terminal built (at the entrance of the former Dublin Dry-Dock: Graving Dock No.2) that opened in October. As usual the main client here is Arklow Shipping and where last month, Arklow Rover, one of their former R class cargoships was sold to Norwegian interests also used the facility. Afloat will have more on the port's new infrastructure and disposal of the Irish flagged ship along with a fleetmate.

Dublin Port's €320m Next Phase Of Masterplan Gets Approval

4th July 2020 Dublin Port

Permission has been given by An Bord Pleanála for the next phase of Dublin Port's €320m masterplan to proceed, subject to conditions. The project, reports RTE, includes the development of a new roll-on roll-off (RoRo) jetty, the lengthening of an…

Freight operator Seatruck Ferries whose ro-ro ferry Clipper Point is seen in this file photo when departing off the Baily Lighthouse on Dublin Bay. Incidentally the 'P'-class vessel also departed the Irish capital this afternoon onto the Irish Sea bound for Heysham, England

Irish Exporters Association Welcomes Possible “Green Lanes” for Food Products Using UK Landbridge

3rd July 2020 Ferry

Irish Exporters Association (IEA) have today welcomed news that Irish and EU officials have developed a draft proposal that would give Irish food exports access to "green lanes" when they come off ferries traveling from British to continental ports. The…

As AFLOAT reported in March (see CruiseLiners) the MS Fridtjof Nansen (would become) the only cruiseship that called to Belfast Harbour this season. The hybrid-powered expedition cruise ship with a 500 passenger capacity is operated by Norwegian owners Hurtigruten which was promoting the 2019 newbuild which was scheduled next to call to Dublin Port but was cancelled as the Covid-19 scenario was increasingly becoming a major public health emergency. The industry has all but collapsed and is unlikely to recover until 2023.

Cruise Collapse As Belfast Harbour Takes hit But Pledges to Continue Major Investment Projects

3rd July 2020 Belfast Lough

Cruise fall-out as Belfast Harbour is anticipating that Covid-19 could hit revenues by as much as 20% this year, largely due to the collapse of its cruise, tourist and leisure business. Port bosses said they do not expect any of…

Set for a €30m investment, and transformation is Rosslare Europort as a new Port Masterplan, for which planning permission is about to be sought. ABOVE AFLOAT adds is the south-east port's current compound layout with ferry terminal dating to 1989. Also identified are ships (left to right): Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Braemar, Stena Line's Fishguard route superferry Stena Europe (currently at H&W, Belfast) and Irish Ferries cruiseferry Isle of Inishmore underway bound for Pembroke, south Wales.

Investment of €30m at Rosslare Europort, As Planning Permission Submitted for Port Masterplan

3rd July 2020 Irish Ports

Port authority Iarnród Éireann, operator of Rosslare Europort, is to undergo a major transformation as part of its Port Masterplan, as the authority is set to apply for planning permission next week. The Masterplan, together with initiatives under the strategic…

Stena Europe AFLOAT adds under the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard gantry cranes in Belfast. The ferry seen in the Building Dry Dock, otherwise operates the Rosslare-Fishguard route while ropax Stena Nordica is currently covering crossings on the St. Georges Channel's southern corridor service between Ireland and Wales.

Ferry Operator Stena Line Supports Local Industry with Multi-Ship Docking Programme at H&W, Belfast

1st July 2020 Ferry

Six ferries of Stena Line's Irish Sea fleet will dry-dock at Harland and Wolff’s famous Belfast shipyard this summer for a range of repairs and upgrades. Currently the Stena Europe (see related relief ferry), which operates on the Rosslare-Fishguard service,…

Celebrating World Marine Aids to Navigation Day today! As Irish Lights join IALA and our international partners to recognise the importance of AtoN's and the people that keep them operational in turn keeping our maritime channels safe. Above AFLOAT adds is a navigation bouy been handled at the aft deck on board Irish Light's tender ILV Granuaile.

IALA World Aids to Navigation Day Is Marked by Irish Lights

1st July 2020 Lighthouses

Transportation by sea is the most important means of connecting Ireland to international markets, according to one of Ireland’s leading maritime authorities. Speaking on IALA World Aids to Navigation Day (AtoN) on Wednesday, July 1, the CEO of Irish Lights,…

Last government committed at start of April to provide up to €15m of PSO subventions. ABOVE AFLOAT's photo of Eamonn Rothwell, chief executive of ICG, (parent company of Irish Ferries) on board the W.B. Yeats during the reception to officially introduce the newbuild cruiseferry in early 2019. Then the cruiseferry was operating the Dublin-Holyhead route over the winter months prior to making a debut on the Dublin-Cherbourg route for the summer (likewise of this season).

Boss of ICG Says Ferries Subsidy ‘Wasting Taxpayers’ Money

1st July 2020 Ferry

Chief executive of ferry operator Irish Continental Group (ICG) has warned that any move by the new Government to extend a subsidy scheme to keep certain sea routes going during the Covid-19 pandemic would be a “waste of taxpayers’ money” and…

Hapag Lloyd AG through their Irish subsidiary have launched a new weekly container service on BG Freight Line's existing 'feeder' routes. This connects the south-east of Ireland with deep-sea global shipping hubs of Liverpool and Rotterdam and will provide alternative logistical solutions.

Port of Waterford Welcomes New Container Service With Existing Links to Other Ports

30th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

Shipping company Hapag Lloyd Ireland , in partnership with BG Freight Line's 'feeder' services are to launch a new port offering from Belview, the main terminal in Waterford. According to the Port of Waterford, this will complement their existing container…

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD said that the Naval Service needs a “response” from him well in advance of a Commission which is to be set up to examine all aspects of Defence.

Coveney: Calls to New Tánaiste to Address Naval Service Personnel Crisis

30th June 2020 Navy

Taking control at the Department of Defence is Tánaiste Simon Coveney who said one of his immediate priorities in the role will be to address the manpower crisis in the Naval Service, writes Irish Examiner. A year ago, the navy…

The world’s oldest continually-operating passenger shipping company, Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. celebrates its 190th anniversary tomorrow. AFLOAT adds among the ferry fleet (on left) the chartered-in ro-ro freighter Arrow which as reported last week went aground in Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland.

World's Oldest Passenger Shipping Company Isle of Man Steam Packet to Celebrate 190th Birthday

29th June 2020 Ferry

Ferry operator the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company will officially mark its 190th anniversary on Tuesday (tomorrow). It's the world’s oldest continually-operating passenger shipping company and has served the Island since 30 June 1830. The Steam Packet, reports Manx…

Plans for a new rail freight link between Ballina and (Belview) the Port of Waterford) is set to create a host of opportunities for local import and export businesses

Rail-Freight Service Set to Boost Ballina's Busy Business Via (Belview) the Port of Waterford

29th June 2020 Irish Ports

RailSail: Details of a proposed new service were outlined by XPO Logistics at the latest Irish Exporters Association Western Council roundtable webinar. As Western People reports, Ballina Beverages – which is a long-standing client of XPO Logistics – will be…

MV Arrow aground at Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland. The ro-ro freight-ferry is on sub-charter to Serco-Northlink (Ferries) which AFLOAT adds operate a network of routes serving Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Manx Ro Ro Freight Ferry MV Arrow Aground at Aberdeen Harbour

26th June 2020 Ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packets' chartered in MV Arrow, which is used by the Manx ferry operator to cover freight traffic, ran aground in Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland (yesterday). The (ro-ro freightferry),reports Manx Radio, is on a sub-charter to Serco-Northlink…

Carlingford Lough: Warrenpoint Port's AGM (Annual Report - 2019) was held virtually for the first time due to restrictions imposed by the impact of Covid-19. Above AFLOAT adds is the low-air draft general drycargo short-sea trader Peak Oslo (formerly Union Sun) on the Lough which derives its name from the Old Norse Kerlingfjǫrðr, meaning 'narrow sea-inlet of the hag'. The ship in this foreshortened view is deceptive given its 87.66m length, a beam of 11.05m and a draft of 2.7m. The 1985 built / 1,543 grt ship is from the an original series built for Union Transport Group based in Kent, UK, that included Union Moon which along with a ferry collided into eachother in Belfast Lough as Afloat reported in 2012. Later that year the MAIB deemed both vessels at fault for the incident.

Annual General Meeting 'Virtually' Held by Warrenpoint Port Due to Covid-19

26th June 2020 Ports & Shipping

Warrenpoint Port held for the first time an annual general meeting (AGM) virtually due to the unprecedented circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and current Government guidance on social distancing. A digital copy of the Co. Down's port Annual Report, outlining…

Restrictions on travelling abroad will be eased from (Thursday) July 9th. Above AFLOAT's photo of the ferry operators using Dublin Port serving routes to Britain (England, Wales), the Isle of Man in addition to France. Seatruck provide freight routes albeit with a limited capacity for private 'motorist' based passengers.

Overseas Travel: Green List of Countries May Change Every Fortnight

26th June 2020 Ferry

Restrictions on foreign travel will be eased from (Thursday) July 9th with travellers permitted to move between countries with similar levels of coronavirus infection. As The Irish Times writes, a green list will be compiled before that date detailing which…

At the bow sailors on board the Irish Naval Service vessel LE Eithne as the HPV ship prepared to depart (Tuesday) Cork city quays after the end of a role in support of the HSE in the fight against Covid-19 coronavirus. AFLOAT hightlights the removed Main Armament of the ship which consisted of the bow-mounted Bofors 57mm Canon / LIOD Fire Control System. As RTE reported on Wednesday when the HPV departed, the ship was returning into operational reserve at the Naval Base on Haulbowline in lower Cork Harbour.

Defence Forces: Not One Former Member Re-Inducted after Covid-19 Recruitment Drive

26th June 2020 Navy

Following three months from a new recruitment drive that was unveiled to entice former members of the Defence Forces to rejoin, not one of the 646 applicants is back in uniform. Just 12 have been chosen so far to be…

The Cork-Roscoff route is very popular with holidaymakers. AFLOAT adds Brittany Ferries other Irish services based out of Rosslare will also begin next week on the routes to Roscoff, France and Bilbao, Spain. Above seen last season is flagship Pont-Aven departing the Port of Cork with Cobh in the background.

Operator Brittany Ferries Confirms Date of Passenger Services to Resume Cork-Roscoff Route

25th June 2020 Ferry

Operator Brittany Ferries have confirmed that passengers will be able to travel to France from Cork via the high seas from (next) Monday, 29 June. The ferry service, writes CorkBeo.ie, will be running a limited service of five ships over the…

Covid-19: Port of Cork tug Gerry O’Sullivan paying its own water display tribute to the Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne as the HPV was the last of the six naval vessels deployed under Operation Fortitute. The flagship returned downriver to the Naval Base at Haulbowline and into operational reserve (according to RTE News). In the foreground AFLOAT adds at Albert Quay is berthed Arklow Fame, the last 'sea-going' ship to use the dry-dock in Dublin Port as reported when it closed in 2016, though the Liffey based 'static museum tallship' Jeanie Johnston was the last vessel to use the facility.

Cork City Quays Where HSE Paid Tribute to Defence Forces in Battle Against Covid-19

25th June 2020 Navy

In Cork City along the quays the Health Service Executive paid special thanks to the Defence Forces for its support during Covid-19 at a ceremony (yesterday). Frontline staff and members of the emergency services deployed their blue emergency lights and…

To join in the Nautical Institute webinar this Thursday you must register, see below.

Webinar: Celebrating the Contribution of Seafarers and Asking the Question 'Where Next?'

23rd June 2020 Ports & Shipping

The Nautical Institute is to host a webinar this Thursday (25 June) at 1400 BST (UK time). So here's an opportunity to join the Nautical Institute CEO Captain John Lloyd and a distinguished panel of international experts in celebrating the…

Terminal for deep sea internet cables at Galway Harbour approved

Deep Sea Internet Cables Terminal at Galway Harbour Approved

23rd June 2020 Galway Harbour

In Galway Harbour planning approval has been given for a new depot at the mid-west port to connect underwater internet infrastructure to the mainland. Deepsea Fibre Networks intends to build a terminal with two telecommunications cabins and one support cabin…

Steamers of the Foyle: Greencastle to Derry River 'Motorway'

23rd June 2020 Historic Boats

Focusing her attention to the transport heritage on “God’s Side of the peninsula”, Rosie Moulden, Manager of the Inishowen Maritime Museum in Greencastle, revealed the first recorded steamer trip on Lough Foyle took place in 1816. Speaking to Derry Now,…