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.
Largest Dutch Navy Vessel that Irish State Examined is Among ‘Blueprint’ for New Naval Service Ship - Visits Belfast Harbour
19th January 2024 Belfast Lough
Of the news yesterday on the Irish Government’s plan to acquire a €200m Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service, is based upon options, among them a design similar to a Dutch Navy vessel which by coincidence was in the Irish…
Introduction of New Brexit-Related Import Controls to Be In Force Effective End of January
19th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Businesses throughout Ireland that are involved in goods exported to or through the UK, have been urged to ensure that they are fully aware and be prepared for the Brexit-related import controls. The new customs measures (click to consult) are…
Ulysses Undergoes Overhaul for the First time At UK East Coast Dry-Dock, A&P Tyne
19th January 2024 Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries main vessel on the Dublin-Holyhead route, Ulysses is receiving an annual overhaul but for the first time at A&P Tyne on the North Sea, which has the largest dry-dock on the east coast of England, writes Jehan Ashmore.…
Brittany Ferries Reveals Twice as Many Spanish Passengers Visit Ireland Than They do the UK
19th January 2024 Brittany Ferries
Operator Brittany Ferries last year recorded more than double the number of passengers travelling between Ireland and Spain as 57,000 passengers made the voyage across the Bay of Biscay, an increase of 116% compared with 2022. The surge in volumes…
New Isles of Scilly Steamship Group Vessels Remain on Target for 2026 as Contracts Signed
18th January 2024 Shipyards
Operator, Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) has has signed landmark contracts with a French shipbuilding group, Piriou, which will secure the long-term future of passenger travel and freight supplies to and from the islands off Cornwall, England. The ISSG which…
Merseyside Ship Repair Division at Cammell Laird Experiences Significant Growth
18th January 2024 Shipyards
The commercial ship repair division of shipbuilder, Cammell Laird, Birkenhead has experienced significant growth towards the end of 2023, as business was up by 50% when compared from this time last year. In the last two months alone, the facility…
Cost of Isle of Man Flagship Ferry Expected to Be £80m Says Treasury Minister
18th January 2024 Ferry
Overall the total cost of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's new flagship ferry is expected to be £80m, confirmed the Manx Treasury Minister, reports BBC News. According to the Minister, Dr. Alex Allinson, an additional £2m is on…
Shipping in the Red Sea Sees Irish Exporters Advised to Engage with Freight Carriers
18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Disruption to shipping in the Red Sea has led to Irish export businesses being advised to engage with their freight carriers and look at their supply chains as the situation in the Middle East region continues. Due to attacks by…
Funding for Belfast Maritime Mile to Bring Innovative Visitor Experiences Along the Lagan
18th January 2024 Belfast Lough
Funding amounting to £120,000 has been awarded to six proposals from Belfast’s creative and digital businesses, artists and innovators to develop innovative visitor experiences to animate and enrich the city’s Maritime Mile and which over the year's has included a…
Europe's Ports Express Concern on Impacts of Escalating Conflict in the Red Sea
18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
After the serious attacks on ships, mainly, but not only container ships, in the Red Sea by the Houthi movement, has led to shipping lines in deciding to redirect their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. The…
Irish State Moves Closer to Purchase €200m Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) that Will be Largest in Naval Service History
18th January 2024 Navy
The State’s purchase of the Naval Service’s largest ship in its history, which is designed to respond to humanitarian crisis, notably overseas, is set to move forward when the release of documents are to be issued across an EU platform.…
ESPO Welcomes EU Parliament’s Recognition of Support for Strategic & Comprehensive Role of Europe’s Ports
18th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
The European Parliament officially adopted the Berendsen report, an own-initiative report on “building a comprehensive European Port Strategy” following yesterday's vote: (585 in favour, 21 against and 26 abstentions). In response, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) highly welcomes the…
Stena 'Europe' Returns to Rosslare-Fishguard in Relief Role But Is Disrupted Leading to Sailings Suspended
17th January 2024 Stena Line
Stena Europe which served Rosslare-Fishguard for more than 20 years until replaced by a ropax ferry last year, was due to re-enter the Ireland-Wales link this month albeit in a relief capacity but disruption has intervened, writes Jehan Ashmore In…
Arklow Ranger Makes Maiden Voyage Across North Sea to Norwegian Fjord Port Within the Arctic Circle
16th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
The newest Irish flagged merchant ship, Arklow Ranger has made its maiden voyage from The Netherlands to Norway as the newbuild dry-cargo ship arrived this afternoon into the Arctic Circle, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Ranger departed the Dutch north-east port…
Wicklow Based Alpha Marine Acquire A Damen Shipyard Built Multicat
16th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Wicklow Port based multi-disciplinary marine company, Alpha Marine has acquired a Damen Shipyard built multi-cat of their 2309 design, which had been operating in the Netherlands. The purchase of the multicat from Purus HST of Swansea, Wales, was concluded in mid-December…
P&O Ferries former Irish Sea Ropax to Strengthen North Sea Presence on New London–Rotterdam Freight Route
16th January 2024 Ferry
Operator P&O Ferries which closed the Dublin-Liverpool route last month, has announced a new ro-ro freight route in the North Sea, between London (Tilbury 2) and the Dutch port of Rotterdam (Europoort) which is to start in March. The UK-Netherlands…
Liverpool Sees New Morocco, Africa Service as WEC Lines Add Call Boosting Trade in Tomatoes to UK
14th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Shipping operator, WEC Lines this month is introducing a new direct service between Liverpool and Agadir in Morocco, offering a fast and green alternative for fresh produce importers when compared to overland trucking. According to the Port of Liverpool, the…
Islay Ferry from Shipyard in Turkey to Arrive Five Years Faster than Second Arran Vessel Built in Scotland
14th January 2024 Shipyards
Under construction in Turkey, a ferry to serve Scottish west coast operator CalMac, it has emerged is on track to be delivered five years faster than the second of a pair involved in the fiasco at the nationalised shipyard Ferguson…
Port of Galway Hits Turnover of €6m as Benefits of Wind Projects Blow Ashore
14th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Turnover rose to almost €6m last year at the Port of Galway, following strong growth in shipping operations linked to transporting inbound components used for onshore based wind projects. The revenue generated by the port, recently awarded European TEN-T status,…
World’s Largest Container Operator Hopes for Better Times Amid Red Sea Houthi Airstrikes
12th January 2024 Ports & Shipping
Global container line, AP Moller-Maersk hopes the presence of naval forces in the Red Sea in addition to political action will allow vessels to resume transiting the Middle East waterway, a major international link between the Indian subcontinent, Asia and…