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.

Most of the passengers (including Irish citizens) from the Zaandam and its (fleetmate) ship the Rotterdam will begin disembarking today (yesterday)

Irish On board Virus Hit Cruise Ship Docks in Florida, USA

4th April 2020 Cruise Liners

A cruise ship hit with the virus, RTE News reported, with around ten Irish citizens on board has docked in Florida in the USA (yesterday). Most of the passengers from the Zaandam and its sister ship the Rotterdam will begin…

According to the Naval Service, for the past number of days LÉ Eithne has operated in support of HSE to prepare stocks of PPE for distribution throughout the Cork region. In addition Naval Service Reserve personnel have been instrumental in this effort. Above the flagship last week having departed Haulbowline in Cork Harbour is seen heading upriver on the Lee to Cork city where it remains on standby for other tasks when required.

Navy and Army Help Frontline: LÉ Eithne Crew Delivering Supplies Across Cork City

3rd April 2020 News Update

Crew of the LÉ Eithne, which EchoLive.ie reported earlier today, have been tasked to deliver personal protective equipment to HSE locations across Cork city. The Naval Service vessel is docked in Cork city since March 20, awaiting a tasking from the HSE…

Paschal Sheehy of RTE said: So, have you been panic buying during Covid19? At the Port of Cork, Harbour Master Paul O’Regan says cargo business is actually up, supply chains are moving, the country’s ports are open and everyone is working hard to maintain the supply of goods.

Operators at Dublin & Cork Ports Say Imports of Essential Items Have Increased

3rd April 2020 Irish Ports

Operators of Dublin and Cork ports have said imports of food and other essential items have increased since the Covid-19 outbreak here over a month ago. According to RTE News, the ports said contingencies are in place to ensure ports…

Dublin's Docklands: Field tents erected by the Irish Army in efforts to assist the HSE Covid-19 Virus Testing Centre on the Liffey Quays, Dublin has so far involved three OPV (above L.E. Samuel Beckett) of the Naval Service take in turns to also run and provide help with ships used as quayside bases. NOTE: The Naval Service have announced that former personnel are encouraged to re-enlist and join the fight against #COVID19 - (see below for details).

As Naval Service Ships Swap At Covid-19 Testing Centre, Appeal is Launched for Members to Re-Join

2nd April 2020 Navy

When the P60 class L.E. Samuel Beckett took up critical supporting duties along with the army to assist the HSE establish a Covid-19 virus testing centre on the Liffey in Dublin last month, a further two navy patrol vessels have…

The RMT union says it is a 'kick in the teeth' for members but Stena says coronavirus has changed situation. Afloat adds above is the new Stena Estrid berthed at the Port of Holyhead, north Wales from where the ropax ferry operates the core Irish Sea route to Dublin Port.

Seafarers: Stena Line See Pay Offer Withdrawn After Union Took 'Too Long Deliberating'

2nd April 2020 Ferry

Operator Stena Line and the Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) union have engaged in a war of words after the ferry giant withdrew its previous pay offer due to the coronavirus crisis. The ferry firm had offered staff a…

As AFLOAT reported last week the Irish Exporters Association in conjunction with the Irish Dept of Transport held an online webiner to discuss the impact of Covid-19. Likewise in the UK, the British Ports Association (BPA) will be holding a webinar later this week for its port members to address the issues outlined in a short paper on the employment implications for UK ports (among them as above the Port of Dover) as the shipping industry addresses the global coronavirus pandemic.

Launch By British Ports Association of New Covid-19 Info-Hub & Employment Implications for Ports

2nd April 2020 Ports & Shipping

The UK ports industry undertakes a vital role in Britain's economy, facilitating trade, fuel, energy, fishing, recreation and tourism. All tiers of the UK Government and the industry are committed to ports staying open to help sustain the country during…

The Zaandam cruise ship (with Irish passengers) is due to dock in Florida later today. AFLOAT adds the cruiseship is on the left along with fleetmate Rotterdam when recently offshore of Panama prior to both ships transiting the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans.

US President Trump Says Florida will Evacuate Stranded Cruise Ships

2nd April 2020 Cruise Liners

The US President reports RTE News, has said that US authorities will evacuate passengers from a stranded cruise ship which is due to dock in Florida after being barred from several South American countries because of a coronavirus outbreak aboard.…

Irish Dredging which is a a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster nv, has the use of their trailing suction hopper dredger Shoalway which is currently conducting operations on the Waterford Estuary.

Dredging Operations Underway at the Port of Waterford

1st April 2020 Irish Ports

A maintenance dredging campaign has begun in recent days at the Port of Waterford where activities will involve the waters of Duncannon Bar, Cheekpoint, and at the port's main terminal at Belview, writes Jehan Ashmore Prior to the operations at…

Irish Lights continues to provide essential services to maritime trade during the COVID-19 crisis. Their tender vessel ILV Granuaile along with coastal teams provide maintenance for marine aids to navigation, vital for the safe movement of food, fuel, medical, hygiene and other supplies. Afloat adds the tender is seen at the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse off the Co. Cork coast.

Irish Lights Issue Update on Operational Activity During Covid-19 Crisis

1st April 2020 Lighthouses

The Commissioners of Irish Lights continues to provide essential services to maritime trade for Ireland, north and south during the Covid-19 crisis. In an update yesterday on operational activity, Irish Lights announced that their ILV Granuaile and coastal teams provide…

Four people have died on the MS Zaandam, though none of the deceased is Irish. The ship has 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board.

Cruise Ship with Covid-19 and Irish On Board to Dock in Florida, USA

1st April 2020 Cruise Liners

On board a Dutch flagged cruise ship is where a coronavirus outbreak has occurred with several Irish citizens travelling is expected to dock in Florida, USA in the coming days, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said. Four…

Focus on Freight: A pair of new RTG's (rubber tyred gantry) cranes for Doyle Shipping Group's (DSG) container terminal in Dublin Port were discharged from UAL Focus in Alexandra Basin while along Ocean Pier yesterday. A further part-cargo of a STS (ship to shore) crane was also loaded on board the German owned heavy-lift vessel in Cork Harbour was shipped to Belfast Harbour for use by the port commissioners.

Container Cranes from Cork Harbour Shipped to Belfast & Dublin to Keep Trade Moving

31st March 2020 Ports & Shipping

Afloat tracked a heavy-lift vessel berth in Belfast Harbour today having sailed from Dublin Port and from where in both ports project cargoes consisting of container infrastructure had been loaded in Cork Harbour, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Portuguese flagged heavy-lift…

Leadship of the new E-Flexer ropax class AFLOAT adds is Stena Estrid in Dublin Port from where the ferry operates on the Holyhead route as part of keeping Irish & UK supply lines stay open across the Irish Sea. Afloat also adds as for the Ireland-north Wales service is also operated by Stena Adventurer.

Operator Stena Line Fights to Help Ensure Vital Irish & UK Supply Lines Stay Open

31st March 2020 Ferry

Ferry operator Stena Line in response to the impact of the Coronavirus as it tightens its grip on everyday life across Europe, has moved to reassure freight and travel customers. The operator is taking every precaution possible to help ensure…

Belfast Retired Shipping Boss Back At Work on the Docks

29th March 2020 Belfast Lough

A former boss of a Belfast Harbour based shipping company has come out of retirement and gone back to work to help out during the coronavirus pandemic. Ex-William Reid director Alan Dunlop made the decision to return after four employees…

The Irish Coast Guard has warned the 'ghost ship' Alta could be 'pilfered' and urged Cork County Council to provide security.

Warning As Irish Coast Guard Say Ghost Ship Could be 'Pilfered' & Urged Council for Security

29th March 2020 Coastguard

It has been urged by the Irish Coast Guard that Cork County Council and An Garda Síochána to provide security at the MV Alta shipwreck on the Cork coast last month after it was reported people tried to access the ‘ghost…

The MS Zaandam was denied access to the Panama Canal for sanitary reasons according to RTE news which added Irish citizens on board. Asymptomatic cruise passengers would be allowed to transfer to MS Rotterdam. This ship also operated by Holland America Line (HAL) is AFLOAT adds (above) is seen berthed in Dublin Port when on a visit in recent years.

Panama Allows Virus-Affected Cruise Ship to Pass through Canal

29th March 2020 Cruise Liners

Permission has been given by Panama's Government to a cruise ship on which four passengers have died to travel through its canal, a day after blocking the liner over coronavirus fears, according to RTE News (last night). Holland America Line's…

Unaccompanied freight trailer units in this AFLOAT photo seen on board P&O Ferries freight ropax Norbay (see sister Norbank also in the Irish capital in yesterday's 'Dublin Port' news) along with Clipper Pennant on charter from Seatruck, operate on the central Irish Sea route to Liverpool, England. P&O also operate on the North Channel between Larne-Cairnryan in Scotland

Operator P&O Ferries Furloughs 1,100 Employees to Focus on Freight Business

28th March 2020 Ferry

Operator P&O Ferries has announced “a significant strategic shift to reprioritise its efforts on its freight operations and maintain the flow of goods, including medical supplies, between the UK and Europe”. The moves involve the ferry company “furloughing” 1,100 staff…

Óglaigh na hÉireann personnel collecting medical supplies for delivery to Irish Hospitals, supporting the HSE in the fight against COVID-19. AFLOAT adds the Irish Army truck is seen with a shipping container trailer at a port's lo-lo container terminal.

Dept. of Transport Issue Covid-19 Guidance Measures Among them Maritime Transport Sector

27th March 2020 Irish Ports

The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS) has issued transport related measures (incl. Maritime) currently in place in response to Covid-19 which are set out below. DTTAS added given that this is a rapidly evolving situation this page (click…