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.

Aran Islands Ferries 40th. In addition to the Rossaveal route, they operate Ireland’s longest distance domestic ferry route served by Saoirse na Farraige as seen on its maiden crossing from Galway City.

Aran Island Ferries Celebrate 40th Year With Galway Chamber Cruise

9th September 2023 Ferry

Western seaboard operator, Aran Island Ferries with a five-strong fleet, hosted a Galway Chamber ‘Connect Series’ event last week. The event took place during a cruise on Galway Bay which gave members of the Chamber to network while also enjoying…

Azamara Pursuit on its maiden call to Warrenpoint, Co Down, is also where MJM Marine have their headquarters in Newry, and which was given in 2018 a project to fit-out the 800 passenger vessel at Harland & Wolff, Belfast. In the city’s port today, MJM will make its multi-million pound announcement on board the 2,950 cruise ship, Celebrity Apex, of Celebrity Cruises (Royal Caribbean Group) one of MJM Marine's trade partners.

Newry, Co. Down Cruise Ship Outfitting Firm Secures €139m of New Work

8th September 2023 Cruise Liners

A cruise ship and ferry outfitting firm based in Co. Down will announce today in Belfast Harbour that it has secured £120 million (€139m) of new work to fit out cruise ships. The firm MJM Marine located in Newry, said the…

The French Connection: Stena Horizon seen at Cherbourg and from where the ropax operates the route to Rosslare, has been transferred to the central Irish Sea for a brief period and so enable services be maintained including the North Channel link to Scotland.

Stena Line Ireland-France Ropax Covers Wales Route for A Week While Holyhead Ferry Shifts to Scottish Link

7th September 2023 Stena Line

A Stena Line Ireland-France route ferry was observed in Dublin Bay while operating between the capital and Holyhead, has led to one of the routes two ferries leave the Irish Sea route for a week, writes Jehan Ashmore. On Tuesday…

After serving Arklow Shipping for more than 17 years, the ‘R’ series short-sea trader Arklow Rainbow of the Co. Wicklow ship-owner, has been sold to a rival Norwegian owner. Above is Afloat’s photo of Cork Harbour with the Naval Base, Haulbowline and in background the National Maritime College of Ireland, Ringaskiddy and another former R series, Arklow Racer, which name was revived when given to a new R series /Eco-Trader cargoship from Dutch shipbuilders, Royal Bodewes from where this newbuild Afloat reported of its launch during the summer, noting a further four are to be completed as part of the seven strong ship series.

Arklow’s Remaining ‘R’ Series Quartet Reduced to Trio as Norwegian Rival Acquire Cargo Ship

6th September 2023 Arklow Shipping

During routine consultation of the Arklow Shipping website fleetlist, it was noted short of an ‘R’ series cargoship, which has led to identification of its new shipowner, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Arklow Rainbow until recently, was one of just a…

Mersey Maritime is hosting the ‘Mersey on the Thames‘ (as part of LISW) which is to be hosted by the UK Shadow Maritime Minister at the House of Commons.

Mersey Maritime Heads to the Thames at London International Shipping Week (LISW)

6th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

Mersey Maritime, a regional cluster organisation for the maritime industry in the Liverpool City Region and greater North West England, will be part of the forthcoming London International Shipping Week (LISW) of 11-15 September. This year, Mersey Maritime is hosting…

Isle of Man Director of Harbours, David Gooberman said the King Edward VIII Pier at Douglas would still be used by ferries while the work took place. The 24,161 gross tonnage newbuild Manxman which is almost twice larger than its predecessor, the Ben-my-Chree, currently together operate the Douglas-Heysham route.

Upgrade Works at Douglas Will Safeguard the Future Say Harbour Boss

6th September 2023 Isle of Man

A project to upgrade Douglas Harbour on the Isle of Man will according to the boss of the works "protect the infrastructure for the next 50 years". Director of Harbours, David Gooberman said the harbour remained a "critical piece of…

European Sea Ports Organisation welcomes the aim of Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan to ensure the EU can become an important player in production and supply of net-zero products

For Europe's Ports EU’s Net-Zero Industry Policy Should Look Both at Production and Supply Chains

5th September 2023 Ports & Shipping

The European SeaPorts Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the aim of the Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan to ensure that the European Union can become an important player in the production and supply of net-zero products and technologies and a competitive player…

New French Operator Makes Irish Debut With Anchorage Visit off Dun Laoghaire Harbour

2nd September 2023 Cruise Liners

A new French cruise operator, Compagnie Française de Croisières, made its first presence in Irish waters when their Renaissance arrived to anchor off Dun Laoghaire Harbour, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Marseilles based CFC Croisières has just a single cruise ship,…

The amount of Dry Bulk passing through Dundalk Port has decreased by 31%

Cargo Total for Dry-Bulk at Dundalk Port Falls by 31%

2nd September 2023 Irish Ports

Cargo quantities in dry-bulk at Dundalk Port for the first half of this year fell sharply by 31% when compared to the first six months of last year according to an Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) report. The Co. Louth…

In advance of the summer season, ICG chartered the cruise ferry Oscar Wilde (for an initial 20 month period with further extension options) to operate on the Rosslare-Pembroke route. The Ireland-Wales competes with Stena Line which serves between the Wexford ferryport and Fishguard.

Irish Ferries Owner, Irish Continental Group Reports Flat Half-Year Revenues

1st September 2023 Irish Ferries

Dublin based Irish Ferries, owned by Irish Continental Group (ICG) has reported lower pre-tax profits and flat revenues for the six months of this year reports RTE News. The results from the half-year report to the end of June, is…

Ferry firm, Stena Line has confirmed its interest in launching a Dublin-Birkenhead service, noting the company also operate a Birkenhead-Belfast route. Above on Merseyside, bound for Belfast is the Stena Embla with stern vehicle deck and astern a P&O Ferries ropax bound for Dublin Port.

Operator Stena Line Could Launch Ferry to Dublin after P&O Axe Liverpool Route

31st August 2023 Stena Line

The largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, Stena Line has said it hopes to launch a route from Birkenhead, on the Wirral peninsula, to Dublin Port following news that a historic Liverpool route is set to be axed. The…

The long-delayed CalMac ferry, previously known as hull 802, has been named Glen Rosa after a public vote was launched. According to CMAL, the ferry is to be launched towards the end of 2023 and is scheduled to follow twin, Glen Sannox into passenger service by the end of 2024.

Shipyard Scandal Delayed CalMac Ferry Has Been Named After Public Vote

31st August 2023 Shipyards

In Scotland the ferry bosses which own Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) vessels, have revealed the name of the second delayed newbuild under construction by Ferguson Marine shipyard on the Clyde. The long-delayed ferry which for years has only been known as…

The current Isles of Scilly passenger vessel Scillonian III has served between Penzance Harbour (as above) and Hugh Town, St. Mary’s since 1977. It was built by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd and Afloat’s adds the north Devon shipyard in recent years was acquired by Harland & Wolff.

Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff in Move to Build and Operate Isles of Scilly Ferry

30th August 2023 Shipyards

Shipbuilder, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings is in the running to build and operate two new ferries to serve the remote Isles of Scilly, 24 nautical miles off Cornwall in south-west England. The shipbuilding group which has facilities on both sides…

The Isle of Arran at Campbeltown, Mull of Kintyre, the summer ‘tourism’ ferry route that connects the peninsula with Ardrossan in south-west Scotland. Read below for politician’s response to CalMac’s proposed cancelling of the service for the rest of the season.

Scottish Parliamentarian Responds to Mull of Kintyre Seasonal Ferry Proposals

30th August 2023 Ferry

A member of the Scottish Parliament, MSP Katy Clark has said CalMac’s proposals to cancel the Ardrossan-Campbeltown ferry service in the event of breakdowns in other parts of the operator’s network are "disappointing". Katy Clark who is a Labour West…

Svitzer is to have the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell tug (MHFC) built in a project with Robert Allan Ltd as it enters a second phase to design the vessel, which represents a key step in Svitzer’s mission to lead the decarbonisation of towage services worldwide.

Joint Project between Svitzer and Robert Allan to Design World’s First Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell Tug

30th August 2023 Ports & Shipping

A leading global towage provider, Svitzer part of the Danish shipping giant, A.P. Moller-Maersk, has announced the launch of the second phase of its project to design the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell (MHFC) tug. Svitzer has conducted technical…

The new £20m terminal building at Greenock Ocean Terminal, Inverclyde, will welcome 89 cruise ships into the Scottish town’s new dedicated pontoon across 2023 – a rise of over 25% on last year. Above at the launch, Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, Provost of Inverclyde, Councillor Drew McKenzie, Scottish Government Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop and UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord.

New £20m Cruise Visitor Centre Launched at Greenock, Inverclyde

28th August 2023 Cruise Liners

One of Scotland's main cruise ports, Greenock Ocean Terminal, Inverclyde is where a new £20 million cruise ship visitor centre is looking ship-shape after it was officially launched. The project, led by Inverclyde Council, is part of the £1 billion…

USS Mesa Verde is currently on a courtesy call to the capital to coincide with tomorrow, Saturday’s American college football match between the Navy Midshipmen and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

US Navy Amphibious Vessel Visits Dublin Port in Advance of American College Football Match

25th August 2023 Naval Visits

A naval visitor arrived to Dublin Port this afternoon as the USS Mesa Verde is on a courtesy call to the capital to coincide with an American football match classic which is to be held tomorrow, Saturday. The United States…

UK safety regulator, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has asked Ferguson Marine shipyard to make changes to newbuild ferry twins, (above Glen Sannox) that are to serve CalMac's Clyde route of Ardrossan-Brodick, Isle of Arran.

Ferries for CalMac Delayed Face Further Setbacks Over Safety Concerns

25th August 2023 Shipyards

Twin dual-fuel powered ferries being built at Ferguson Marine shipyard on the Clyde are facing further delays after demands for design changes by the safety regulator. According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) doors will have to be modified…

Arklow Raider, the Irish-flagged short-sea trader's bridge as seen during a night-time arrival to the UK port of Ipswich, where the performance of the east England port, reflects its key location of Suffolk and Essex is at the heart of agricultural region which is the ‘breadbasket’ of the UK. Afloat tracked this week the 4,504dwt dry-cargo ship, to the port having sailed from Terneuzen, the Netherlands and the vessel is currently at Tilbury on the Thames estuary, where adjacent to the river berth is a fleetmate, Arklow Crest from Les Sables-d'Olonne, France.

Port of Ipswich is UK Number One for Export of Agricultural Products

25th August 2023 Ports & Shipping

The UK's largest ports operator, Associated British Ports (ABP) which includes the Port of Ipswich, has retained its place as the number one export port for agricultural products for the 18th year in a row. This sees the North Sea…

Reduced Naval Service fleet capability, as just two patrol ships will be available to go to sea, the LÉ Samuel Beckett (as above) leadship of the OVP90 class and LÉ William Butler Yeats while a third ship will be on ‘standby’.

Naval Service Fleet Will Be Reduced to Just 'Two Ships Full Time' to Patrol Seas for the Rest of 2023

24th August 2023 Navy

Just two patrol vessels of the Naval Service will be available to go to sea until the new year. As TheJournal.ie reports sources have said that considerations are being made to have a reduced fleet in 2024 due to the ongoing…