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 Port of Waterford is showing positive momentum this year. Above Afloat adds is the port's main terminal, Belview located on the Suir, with bulk-carriers berthed.

Operating Profits at Port of Waterford Drop Due to Pandemic

3rd August 2021 Irish Ports

Operating profits at the Port of Waterford for 2020 were €0.7 million, down from the €1.2 million recorded in 2019 during a period of trading set against the pandemic. The Port's turnover was €7.2m for the year a reduction of…

All EU states registered large increases in exports outside Europe with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus. The opening up the Irish and EU markets to competition from the foreign companies associated with the free trade agreements can create problems for some sectors. Above AFLOAT adds an 'Ireland-Max' class containership, one of a quartet of Chinese built ships under the Cypriot flag and which operates out of Irish ports to mainland Europe in addition linking the UK.

Free Trade Deals: Are they Really Working for Irish Exporters?

2nd August 2021 Irish Ports

Due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant has forced some countries to reverse plans to reopen their economies, denting the hopes of Irish exporters for continued expansion. In particular, falling exports to countries outside of Europe are beginning…

An elite Irish military unit conducted a counter terrorism exercise involving a staged hijacking of a (Stena Line) ferry when bound for Dublin Port. AFLOAT adds the exercise took place in the approaches of Dublin Bay and during a routine morning crossing of the E-Flexer class ro-pax Stena Estrid from Holyhead. Also above on the left is Howth Peninsula while on the right a ro-ro freightferry from operator Seatruck is also bound for the capital.

Irish Special Forces Unit Conduct Ferry 'Hijack' Assault in Approaches to Dublin Bay

31st July 2021 Navy

An elite special forces unit has carried out a counter terrorism exercise involving a staged hijacking of a ferry when bound for Dublin Port. The Defence Forces special forces unit, the Army Ranger Wing, led the operation, assisted by the Air…

Submssions received from the public on proposals to redevelop Galway Harbour

Public Submissions Received on Proposed Redevelopment of Galway Harbour

30th July 2021 Galway Harbour

Submissions numbering 200 in total, have been received from the public on plans for a major redevelopment of Galway Harbour. The vision for the harbour would involve the transformation of 17 acres of land surrounding the inner port's dock area.…

Just 40 per cent of 32 coastal areas surveyed were deemed clean to “European norms”

Fewer than Half of Beaches and Harbours in the State Deemed Clean

30th July 2021 Coastal Notes

Fewer than half of the beaches and harbours in the State have been deemed clean, but the situation is getting better, according to an annual survey published by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). Cork Harbour at Blackrock Castle and White…

Ever Given has arrived in the Port of Rotterdam (at the above Hutchison Ports ECT Delta Terminal) having previously triggered the closure of the Suez Canal in March. The next port of call is expected to be Felixstowe in the UK with an arrival early next week.

Ever Given Is Welcomed by the Port of Rotterdam

30th July 2021 Ports & Shipping

Ever Given the giant Evergreen chartered-in containership, which triggered the closure of the Suez Canal for several days back in March when it got stuck on sandbanks, has arrived in the Port of Rotterdam. According to LloydsLoadingList, it berthed at…

Weary seafarers unable to come ashore during Covid have gotten vital support and supplies from the chaplain of the Port of Cork and several church groups. Deliveries have included fast-food.

Emergency Fast Food Delivered to Sailors Stuck off Cork Coast

29th July 2021 Cork Harbour

Seafarers from the Philippines and many other countries who can't come on land when they reach Cork Harbour have been receiving support and supplies from local volunteers - including a delivery of 100 burgers and chips from McDonald's. Colin Jenkins, a…

Grimaldi Group is extending their Cork-Belgium ro-ro freight services just weeks after the successful launch of the direct Cork-Antwerp route. This offers direct efficient freight flows compared to UK landbridge. Above AFLOAT adds Eurocargo Bari with the Port of Cork's tug Gerry O'Sullivan off Ringaskiddy in lower Cork Harbour where also the tug recently received check up work at DSG's Cork Dockyard facility in Rushbrooke.

Port of Cork Welcomes Grimaldi Groups Extension of Cork-Belgium Ro-Ro Freight Services

28th July 2021 Port of Cork

After the successful launch just weeks ago of the Cork to Antwerp ro-ro freight route, the Grimaldi Group has extended its feeder service between Belgium and Ireland with a new call from Cork to Zeebrugge. The Port of Cork has…

Kieran Tracey of Nolan Transport said 'we're going to see big delays in October'. Above ferries berthed at the Wexford ferryport of Rosslare.

Concerns from Exporters Ahead of New Brexit Regulations

28th July 2021 Ferry

There have been concerns expressed about the state of readiness among Ireland's exporters for the next batch of post-Brexit regulations which are due to come into effect in October. At the moment, products coming from the UK, which is now…

At the UK's busiest ferryport, the Port of Dover where the Golden Horizon, the world's tallest cruise ship departed the English south-east port on a maiden passenger voyage within UK waters. AFLOAT adds the voyages described as 'Staycations at Sea' involve calls along the English Channel including Falmouth in Cornwall and Harwich, Essex on the North Sea. In the background Afloat adds ferries from operators, DFDS and P&O Ferries. Since last month however a newcomer on the Strait of Dover, Irish Ferries entered to compete on the famous short-sea route connecting Calais in France.

World's Largest Cruise Tallship, Golden Horizon Calls to Port of Dover For Inaugural Call

27th July 2021 Cruise Liners

The World's largest square-rigged sailing vessel, the brand new cruise tallship Golden Horizon in mid-July sailed into the Port of Dover; the ship's departure port for four new UK voyages throughout this month. The Golden Horizon, a near replica of…

This week Brittany Ferries signed charter contracts (with Stena RoRo, adds Afloat) that will start construction of two new ships, (of Stena's E-Flexer series) one to replace Normandie on Portsmouth-Caen, the other Bretagne on Portsmouth-St Malo offering larger capacity and an increased number of cabins – incl. pet friendly cabins! The new ships, planned to arrive in 2024/2025, can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), electricity or a combination of both, like a hybrid car. This means that each vessel offers considerable advantages in terms of reducing local emissions and greenhouse gas at sea and during port calls.

Brittany Ferries to Introduce New Hybrid Ships for UK-France Routes in 2024/2025

23rd July 2021 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries is to have two new hybrid LNG-electric ships to enter their fleet when they will arrive in 2024/2025 to serve UK-France routes connecting Portsmouth with St Malo and Caen. As well as significantly cutting emissions, the hybrids will…

Always think Water Safety: Dublin Port’s new Shipping Lanes Map.

Dublin Port Reminds Public of Safety Guidelines as Temperatures Rise

22nd July 2021 Dublin Bay

Following the launch of its “Always Think Water Safety” awareness campaign earlier this month, Dublin Port Company (DPC) is issuing a reminder to the public to use Dublin Bay in a safe and responsible manner this weekend and for the…

CSO figures show seven Irish ports (among them Cork as above) handled 12m tonnes of goods in period, down 3.2%

CSO Figures Show UK Share of Port Traffic in Republic Declines to 29.4% in Q1 of 2020

22nd July 2021 Irish Ports

According to the Central Statistics Office, Northern Ireland and Britain accounted for 29.4 per cent of the total tonnage of goods handled in the seven main ports in the Republic in the first quarter of 2021. As the new CSO…

The new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool Docks will cost Manx taxpayers more than £50m as Infrastructure Minister prepares to ask Tynwald for an extra £13.8m towards the project. Above construction work AFLOAT adds at the Princes Half Tide Dock.

Liverpool Dock Where Increased Ferry Terminal Costs 'Worrying, But Worth It'

21st July 2021 Ferry

Newly appointed Isle of Man Steam Packet MD says securing the Liverpool ferry route is vital. As Manx Radio reports, the excessive cost of the new ferry terminal in Liverpool is worrying but will be worth it to secure the…

BOXBOATS AHEAD: A year ago, capacity on newbuild orders was under 10% of the existing fleet. That has now doubled and new orders coming through from carriers and owners are pushing towards a ‘psychological barrier’, after which overcapacity becomes a risk again. Above: Varying sized containerships at the Port of Felixstowe, the Britain's biggest boxboat port.

Containership Orderbook Ratio Could Reach 25%

21st July 2021 Shipyards

Shipyard orderbook for containerships could rise as high as 24% of the existing fleet if a spate of unconfirmed orders go to completion, threatening an ‘overheated’ market and eventual oversupply. “Ocean carriers, non-operating owners, investment banks and lessors have gone…

Drogheda Port invite applicants to apply for position of Harbour Master at the regional port.

Drogheda Port Company Invite Applications for Position of Harbour Master

21st July 2021 Jobs

Drogheda Port Company are inviting applications for the position of Harbour Master for the Port of Drogheda. Drogheda Port is the largest commercial regional port in Ireland, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo per annum and over 1000 ship…

Defence Minister Simon Coveney said he hopes to 'provide certainty by the end of the year' on what will happen to personnel.

Minister Coveney to Clarify future of 'Post-94' Cohort of Short-Staffed Defence Forces

21st July 2021 Navy

Experienced Defence Forces personnel numbering 700, will know before the end of the year at the latest, if they will be forced to retire or be kept on. The cohort, known as the Post-94 group, were given shorter contracts when…

European Commission has proposed the UK should agree to follow EU food standards. Afloat adds above freight vehicles on board a ferry on the North Channel when bound for Belfast Harbour.

British Ministers to State Changes Sought to NI Protocol

21st July 2021 Ferry

Today the British government will set out a series of major changes it wants made to the Northern Ireland Protocol, the element of the Brexit trade agreement intended to avoid the return to a hard border on the island of…

Extra funds made available to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. following a £10.5m loss. Above AFLOAT adds the aft-deck of ropax Ben-My-Chree while astern is Douglas Harbour.

Ferry Operator Receives £5m Isle of Man Government Investment

19th July 2021 Ferry

Ferry firm the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is to have an extra £5m made available after the operator lost more than £10.5m last year. As Manx Radio reports, the Isle of Man Government says the equity investment is…

A file photo at the launch of MV Glen Sannox, the first of pair of duel-fuel powered ferries for Scotland's Western Isles operator CalMac is seen at the the now nationalised shipyard of Ferguson Marine on the Clyde

Scottish Ministers Under Fire as Fears Grow Over Collapse of Ferry Fiasco Firm

19th July 2021 Shipyards

Scottish Ministers have been asked to "come clean" as fears grow over the collapse of the nationalised shipyard firm at the centre of the ferry-building fiasco, reports The Herald. It comes after The Herald On Sunday, revealed the Scottish Government-controlled…