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.
Ferry Fiasco Continues as Scottish Shipyard Chief Sacked Amidst New Delays
27th March 2024 Shipyards
The chief executive of the Scottish government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine, David Tydeman, who has been at the center of continuing concern over the escalating costs of an ongoing ferry fiasco, has had his contract terminated. The development comes after Mr.…
The chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet has said a "clear government statement" is needed on whether the firm can sell its current backup ferry. The Steam Packet outlined plans to sell the 26-year-old ropax Ben-My-Chree in its…
Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) at 'Connecting Europe Days' Brussels (2nd-5th April)
27th March 2024 Ports & Shipping
The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) will be at the Connecting Europe Days 2024, Europe’s mobility flagship event, held at the Square in Brussels, Belgium. Representatives from the IMDO will be at stand 49 during the two days of the…
Brittany Ferries Flagship ‘Pont-Aven’ On Its 20th Year Returns to Service the Cork-Roscoff Route
26th March 2024 Brittany Ferries
Pont-Aven Brittany Ferries impressive flagship at the weekend resumed its first Roscoff-Cork round-trip this season, in the 20th anniversary year since its introduction on the Ireland-France route and UK-France/Spain links, writes Jehan Ashmore. During Pont-Aven’s return leg to France on…
The Lough Foyle ferry route operated by Frazer Ferries, resumes for the Easter Holiday this Wednesday, 27 March and continues to Sunday 7, April, writes Jehan Ashmore. Crossings for the Easter break take place for 12 days, with 20-minute daily…
Taxpayer Picks Up €13m Bill for Naval Service Outsourcing Maintenance of P60 Class Vessels
23rd March 2024 Navy
Taxpayers are paying nearly four times as much to employ an overseas company to get stricken Naval Service patrol ships operating, than they would have if the Navy's engineering experts had not quit for better pay and conditions in the…
Isle of Man Steam Packet Reaches Agreement with Officers' Union Nautilus Over Live Aboard Terms
23rd March 2024 Ferry
An agreement has been reached says the Isle of Man Steam Packet, with the union representing its officers, in resolving the issue regarding terms which the ferry operator said they must live aboard the fleet at times. According to Manx…
Coastal Ferry Fresh from Survey in South-East Returns Home to Scenic Carlingford Lough
22nd March 2024 Ferry
A small coastal ferry, Frazer Mariner, with a bridge amidships above the vehicle deck, is this afternoon on a repositioning passage from the south-east bound for Carlingford Lough, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 20-car, 100-passenger ferry had made an en-route call…
Stena Line to Boost Capacity on Dublin-Liverpool (Birkenhead) Route with Dedicated Freight-Only Vessel
22nd March 2024 Stena Line
Stena Line has secured a freight only ro-ro vessel, Bore Song, to operate on its Dublin-Liverpool (Birkenhead) route with the ship boosting freight capacity on the Irish Sea route by 30%. The Swedish operator of the Dublin-Liverpool dedicated freight service has…
Transfennica’s Timca Trades on Yet Awaits Norbay’s Rosslare Route Return
22nd March 2024 Irish Ferries
Transfennica's Timca, on short-term freight charter for ICG's Irish Ferries Dublin-Wales/France routes, is due to end when Norbay returns to Rosslare this weekend, releasing Oscar Wilde, if all goes according to plan, writes Jehan Ashmore. Since late February, the chartering…
Manx Cat Calls to Dublin Port following Recent Berthing Trials at Liverpool’s New Ferry Terminal
21st March 2024 Dublin Port
Observed entering Dublin Bay this morning was the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s Manannan, having departed Douglas Harbour, but the fast-ferry was not in service, writes Jehan Ashmore. The reason for the call by the 98m catamaran craft to Dublin…
ESPO Award 2024 Will Reward ‘Circular Economy’ Projects in Europe's Ports - Competition is Open
21st March 2024 Ports & Shipping
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award on Social Integration of Ports is entering its 16th edition. The theme of this year’s edition is “port projects or strategies in the field of circular economy that benefit the city and/or the…
The Isle of Man Government says it hasn't signed a lease with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. for the new £70m ferry terminal in the Port of Liverpool yet. In the Tynwald (parliament) this week, Treasury Minister, Alex Allinson…
Stena Line Launches Newly Refurbished Ferries on North Sea Route of Harwich-Hook van Holland
20th March 2024 Stena Line
Stena Line in response to changing needs of its customers has carried out a major renewal of its North Sea ferries, Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica which operate the Harwich-Hook van Holland route. The unique transformation, which took just 18…
Arklow Resolve Underway in the Wadden Sea for Shipbuilder Sea Trials While Ferries Go Back & Forth
20th March 2024 Arklow Shipping
Newbuild MV Arklow Resolve departed the Dutch north-east port of Eemshaven for the Wadden Sea on the southern North Sea for shipbuilder sea trials this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore. This is Arklow Shipping Ltd.'s latest newbuild, which represents the fifth…
An Bord Pleánala Approves Construction of Enhanced Visitor Experience at Loop Head Lighthouse
20th March 2024 Lighthouses
Irish Lights has welcomed the announcement of the approval by An Bord Pleánala for the construction of an enhanced visitor experience facilities at Loop Head Lighthouse in Co. Clare. "We are delighted that approval has been granted for the enhancement…
UK Government Ministers Have Done Nothing to Stop Repeat of P&O Ferries Scandal, Unions Say
19th March 2024 Ferry
Trade unions in the UK have called for proper legal protection for seafarers on the second anniversary of the P&O Ferries mass sudden sackings scandal, warning that government ministers have “done nothing” to stop other ferry firms from following suit.…
First of Two Newbuilds for CalMac’s Islay Services Successfully Launched at Shipyard in Turkey
19th March 2024 Shipyards
The first newbuild ferry of two to serve Scottish west coast islands, Islay and Jura has been successfully launched at a shipyard in Turkey. At the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova, the MV Isle of Islay was launched on…
Sole Active Naval Service Ship Unavailable for Cork Drugs Search due to St Patrick’s Day Call in Dun Laoghaire Harbour
19th March 2024 Navy
LÉ George Bernard Shaw, the sole operational ship of the Naval Service, was unavailable to take part in a large drug search off the Cork coast this weekend as it formed part of St. Patrick’s Day festivities held in Dun…
L.É. George Bernard Shaw to Visit Dún Laoghaire Harbour for St. Patrick’s Weekend
14th March 2024 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
Dún Laoghaire Harbour this Friday is to welcome the Naval Service OPV LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is named after the renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw, who had…