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.

Hibernia Line hosted the French Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Céline Place and Irish Ambassador-Designate to France and Monaco, Alison Milton (pictured centre) at Ringaskiddy ferry terminal today along with the company’s Chief of Passenger Revenue Alison Bell, CEO Aidan Coffey, Chief Shipping, Officer Captain Paul Roche and Marketing Manager Alison Desmond.

Cork Based Ferry Company Welcomes French and Irish Ambassadors to Ringaskiddy

21st October 2026 Ferry

New startup ferry operator Hibernia Line, which launched the first direct Cork to Boulogne route in northern France in the summer, has welcomed the visit of ambassadors from France and Ireland today, writes Jehan Ashmore. The visit of the French…

A recruitment target will not be achieved, said Defence Minister Helen McEntee, following Budget 2027’s allocations to departments in Defence and Foreign Affairs. Above: Naval Service cadets celebrate at their ‘passing out’ (graduation) ceremony in July held at the Naval Base headquarters on Haulbowline Island, Cork Harbour.

Recruitment Target in Defence Forces Will Not Reach 11,500 Personnel by 2028 Despite Commitments

22nd October 2026 Navy

The Irish Defence Forces will not reach 11,500 troops by 2028, said the Minister for Defence, as it will break a key target promised by the organisation and government. In a report from the Commission on the Defence Forces, it…

A Defence Forces supplementary pension, which had been provided to members between the mandatory retirement age of 62 and the State pension age, was removed in 2013. Delegates also heard at the annual RACO conference, Naval Service Captain David Sutton highlight an “impending crisis” facing the organisation as more officers leave due to age.

'Looming Retention Crisis' Faces Defence Forces Over Removal of Supplementary Pension

22nd October 2026 Navy

A “looming retention crisis” faces the Defence Forces due to changes it made in 2013 for new recruits, which then removed a supplementary pension between retirement age and that of State pension age. The comment was made at the annual…

The oldest submarine of the Dutch ‘Walrus’ class, the decommissioned Walrus on a barge while under tow of Ems Warrior took place last week from Den Helder to Amsterdam for dismantling. The stealth-designed HNLMS Walrus had made visits to Ireland, at Dublin and Cork.

Decommissioned Dutch Navy Submarine that Visited Irish Ports Towed for Dismantling

21st October 2026 News Update

A Dutch tug has taken part in a special towage operation of the decommissioned submarine ‘Walrus’ class namesake from the Royal Netherlands Naval Base in Den Helder to Amsterdam for dismantling, writes Jehan Ashmore. The tug Ems Warrior, operated by…

The first barge carrying major steel components (towed by Multratug 29), for the landmark cross border Narrow Water Bridge has today arrived at Warrenpoint Harbour, Co. Down following a passage from Belgium. Afloat has identified the port of departure as Terneuzen in the south near the border with the Netherlands.

First Barge With Structures for New Narrow Water Bridge Berths at Warrenpoint Harbour

21st October 2026 Northern Ireland Waters

A major milestone in the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge in Northern Ireland took place today, with the arrival to Warrenpoint Harbour of the first barge carrying major steel components from Belgium. The bridge contractor BAM UK & Ireland…

At the launch of the Greek-Irish maritime exhibition: Ms Ciara O'Floinn, Ambassador of Ireland to Greece, Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Barry Saul, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Catherine Gallagher, County Librarian, Mr Georgius Stilianopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to Ireland.

Exhibition at DLR LexIcon: Celebrates 10,000 Years of Greek & Irish Maritime Tradition

21st October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News

A new exhibition, "10,000 Years of Greek and Irish Maritime Tradition," has been launched in dlr LexIcon Library in Dún Laoghaire, which explores the rich maritime heritage of two nations shaped by the sea. Hosting the exhibition is Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown…

Belfast Harbour is to host trials of zero-emission transport and energy systems (ZETEC) project

Funding for £15m Zero Emission Trials for Belfast Harbour is Secured

21st October 2026 Belfast Lough

Trials of zero-emission transport and energy systems are to take place at Belfast Harbour under a £15 million ($19.9 million) investment that was announced on 15 October. Belfast-based Artemis Technologies is leading the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC)…

The Barfleur yesterday (18 Nov) completed an 'uninterrupted' maiden round trip from Rosslare (as above), instead of being conducted from Cherbourg (due to weather disruption at the Irish port forcing the cancellation of sailings). Also, viewed from the 'foot' passenger bus, are vehicles discharging onto the upper tier of the double-linkspan.

Barfleur Finally Returns to France But Completes 'Uninterrupted' Maiden Round Trip from Ireland

19th October 2026 Brittany Ferries

After a delay of two days due to poor weather conditions, Brittany Ferries Barfleur finally resumed its first return crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg, Normandy, at the weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Barfleur previously made its maiden sailing to the…

A major multi-agency fire safety exercise took place at the 12 Quays Terminal, Birkehead on Merseyside to test emergency services, involving Stena Line, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and Merseyside Police.

Multi-Agency Fire Safety Exercise to Strengthen Stena's Preparedness

16th October 2026 Stena Line

Ferry operator Stena Line has carried out a large-scale multi-agency emergency response exercise at its 12 Quays Terminal in Birkenhead, on Merseyside, serving Dublin and Belfast. The exercise brought together maritime, emergency service, and port partners to test and strengthen…

Stena Line is to acquire the 21,000 gross tonnage ro-ro freight ferry Somerset, from CLdN, onto the Dublin-Liverpool link in December. It is to replace existing twins, Stena Hibernia and Stena Scotia, which are to be redeployed to a North Sea England-Dutch service.

Stena Line to Acquire CLdN's Somerset Set to Replace Dublin-Birkenhead Freight Twins

16th October 2026 Stena Line

Stena Line has reached an agreement to acquire a ro-ro freight ferry, the Somerset, from CLdN and is to serve on the Dublin Port-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route. Subject to closure and transfer, the vessel would begin operating the central Irish Sea…

ESPO and the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) have launched the Green Innovation Compass, a new knowledge platform to bring together European expertise and practical experience on port innovations, through both organisations' websites.

New 'Green Innovation Compass' Launched on European & Inland Port Organisations' Websites

16th October 2026 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) and the European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) are pleased to announce the new Green Innovation Compass. The knowledge platform brings together European expertise and practical experience on port innovations is now available through…

At the recent Connecting Europe Days, Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO (second from left) had a valuable exchange with EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. EU leaders from today are meeting in Brussels for a summit to discuss, among other priorities, the EU’s long-term Transport budget for 2028-2034.

Joint Letter Calls on EU Member States Not to Cut Long-Term Transport Budget

16th October 2026 Ports & Shipping

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss, among other priorities, the EU’s long-term budget for 2028-2034. In the run-up to the discussions, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), together with Europe’s transport sector, is…

Repairs to Manxman’s 18 m propeller drive shafts have been completed by a specialist firm in Denmark from were they returned to the Merseyside and to be reinstalled in dry-dock.

Manxman Re-Enters Dry Dock Following Returned Repaired Propeller Drive Shafts

16th October 2026 Ferry

The flagship ferry, Manxman, has re-entered dry dock on Merseyside as work to return the Isle of Man Steam Packet's largest vessel to service continues. The 24,161 gross-tonnage flagship writes ManxRadio, has been undergoing repairs at Balaenia Birkenhead since July, when…

Transmanche Ferries' Cote d'Albatre on its first stint at Rosslare Europort in 2025 when relieving for a DFDS ropax on the Dunkirk route and the bridge of Brittany Ferries ropax Cotentin. Offshore, the anchored DFDS Patria Seaways, on charter as the Stena Horizon, was undergoing drydocking while off service on the Cherbourg route, which the company closed just over a year ago.

English Channel 'Transmanche' Route Tender Open for New Five-Year Contract

15th October 2026 Ferry

DFDS, which operates twin ferries on behalf of owner Transmanche Ferries, has issued a new tender worth EUR 271 million for the Dieppe–Newhaven route between France and the UK. Syndicat Mixte de Promotion de l’Activité Transmanche (SMPAT), which is branded…

At the NI Travel Awards, Stena Line’s Travel Commercial Manager Orla Noonan (centre) picks up the award for Best Ferry Company in 2026.

Stena Line is 'Best Ferry Company' at N.I. Travel & Tourism Awards

14th October 2026 Stena Line

Stena Line recently was awarded the accolade of Best Ferry Company at the 34th North Ireland Travel & Tourism Awards. Representatives from every sector of the Northern Ireland travel industry attended the high-profile event hosted by comedian and BBC presenter…

Flagship St Patrick, seen in Cork Harbour, is currently out of service; in the meantime, the Ringaskiddy-Boulogne route’s second ferry, Akka, maintains the French connection of the new direct link with mainland Europe.

New Operator’s Flagship on Cork-Boulogne Route Requires Repairs

14th October 2026 Ferry

Hibernia Line sailings operated by its flagship ferry were forced to stop following a crossing from Cork to Boulogne-sur-Mer at the weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore. The St. Patrick was unable to make a return crossing from France on Saturday, as…

Barfleur berthed at the Port of Cherbourg’s No. 2 linkspan is currently at the time of writing, is making its maiden crossing from the Cotentin Peninsula port in Normandy bound for Rosslare Eureport, where the cruiseferry is to debut on the France-Ireland route, but is only to operate this month. The 1992-built ferry is to be sold as part of a major restructuring of Brittany Ferries to reduce rising costs, challenging the Breton-based company.

Former English Channel Ferry Barfleur Debuts on France-Ireland Route Albeit Temporarily

14th October 2026 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries' Barfleur, which completed its final English Channel route sailing on Monday, has since made its maiden crossing from Cherbourg to Rosslare Europort, where it arrived yesterday afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore. Today's corresponding crossing to Cherbourg has been cancelled…

CEO Change: Claudio Veritiero, is standing down from Peel Ports Group which aside its UK portfolio has its Irish operation of MTL (Terminals) Dublin Port. The LoLo facility has a throughput of 250,000 TEU’s per year, with direct container connections (among them Group subsidiary BG Freight Line) to the UK, the Netherlands, France, Iberia and onwards worldwide.

Peel Ports Group Sees Change of Leadership with Chief Executive Officer

12th October 2026 Ports & Shipping

In a statement issued by Peel Port Group today, its Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Veritiero, is standing down from his position at the UK's second-largest ports group. Mr. Veritiero has served nearly five years as CEO and six years within the business,…

MV Isle of Arran at Ardrossan, south-west Scotland, from where it served a seasonal service to Campbeltown on the southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre until 2023. In tandem, it provided increased capacity during the summer on the year-round Arran route on the Firth of Clyde.

CalMac Cancel Campbeltown Ferry Service for 2027 Amid Backlash

12th October 2026 Ferry

A popular ferry route in south-west Scotland has been cancelled for yet another year, which has prompted anger from the community it serves. As The National reports, CalMac’s seasonal Ardrossan to Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) route will not operate next…

In Dublin Bay Stena Hibernia (currently at H&W shipyard, Belfast) and twin Stena Scotia, serves the capital and Birkenhead, are to be redeployed to North Sea service to enable the company to replace chartered tonnage. Both freight ferries, Afloat notes, originally operated in this region for NorfolkLine (Maersk) and also between the UK and the Netherlands, are to be repeated, albeit through other ports.

Stena Line to Deploy Dublin-Birkenhead Freight Ro-Ro’s to North Sea UK-Dutch Service

10th October 2026 Stena Line

Stena Line is to deploy two Irish Sea-based freight ferries from its Dublin Port-Birkenhead (Liverpool) route to the North Sea service of Harwich-Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The Stena Hibernia and twin Stena Scotia, which Afloat reported only entered service as…