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.

Fleet movements: One of the Irish Ferries trio of vessels on the Dover-Calais route, the Isle of Innisfree, is to transfer to Rosslare-Pembroke when Spirit of Britain (to be renamed) is introduced on the Dover-Calais route in June. The ‘Spirit’ class cruise ferry is to boost capacity on the busy UK-France short-sea trade link in competition with P&O Ferries and DFDS. In the meantime, as Afloat previously reported, Irish Ferries fast-ferry Dublin Swift resumed its'seasonal’ service on the Dublin-Holyhead route today.

‘Spirit’ Class Ship to Join Irish Ferries Dover-Calais Service Sees Isle of Innisfree Bound for Rosslare-Pembroke

17th May 2024 Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries bareboat charter and acquisition of Spirit of Britain, which served P&O Ferries Dover-Calais service, will lead to the Irish operator’s transfer of Isle of Innisfree from the UK-France link to their Rosslare-Pembroke route, writes Jehan Ashmore. The changes…

Harland and Wolff has said negotiations with the UK government are continuing

Belfast’s Shipyard Harland & Wolff Denies Funding Rejection

17th May 2024 Shipyards

The shipyard owner of Belfast’s Harland and Wolff Group has denied that the UK government has refused to give the group a £200m loan guarantee which is seen as crucial to the yard’s future. As The Times newspaper reported on…

Big Boost: ICG’s subsidiary, Irish Ferries, has signed a bareboat charter agreement with DP World of the Spirit of Britain, a former P&O Ferries serving ship on the Dover-Calais route, where it is to return to service for the Dublin based company in June. At 47,592 tonnes, Afloat highlights the ‘Spirit’ class ferry will be the largest ferry for Irish Ferries when it joins their fleet on the UK-France link.

Irish Ferries Signs Bareboat Charter Agreement Including Purchase Obligation with DP World France SAS for 'Spirit of Britain'

16th May 2024 Irish Ferries

Irish Continental Group (ICG) subsidiary Irish Ferries, has entered into a Bareboat Charter agreement including a purchase obligation with DP World France SAS for the Spirit of Britain, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Spirit of Britain until recently had operated for…

North Channel twins Stena Superfast VII (pictured on Loch Ryan) and Stena Superfast VIII will be retrofitted with methanol propulsion, which will see the Belfast-Cairnryan pair after the conversion project transferred to LR class.

Lloyd's Register to Support Retrofitting of Stena Line North Channel Ferries to Methanol Propulsion

16th May 2024 Stena Line

Following the successful methanol conversion of the Scandinavian cruise ferry Stena Germanica in 2015, Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Stena Line will work in partnership on a project to retrofit two North Channel fast ro-ro vessels with methanol propulsion. According to…

An Islay serving ferry, the MV Finlaggan, as above when on a previous call to a dry dock at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, on Merseyside. The CalMac ferry was due to return to service today (15 May) but will now be delayed until Saturday and in advance of the Islay Festival, which is a gathering of whisky and fans of the west Scottish island from around the world.

Delay of CalMac Ferry Due to Maintenance Ahead of Islay Festival

15th May 2024 Ferry

One of the largest ferries in the CalMac fleet, Finlaggan, of 5,626 gross tons, which usually serves Islay in the Inner Hebrides, has been delayed in annual maintenance, reports The National. Afloat.ie adds that the almost 90-metre ferry is currently…

With less than a month away, free tours of the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) take place during the Cork Harbour Festival. Book your tickets for a unique in-person event at the NMCI in Ringaskiddy to discover state-of-the art facilities and learn all about maritime careers and education.

Tours of the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) - Cork Harbour Festival

15th May 2024 Jobs

An exciting in-person event is to be held at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), with tours of the campus in Ringaskiddy taking place on Friday, 7 June. The free tours are part of the 10-day Cork Harbour Festival. Explore…

The P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) twins LÉ Aoibhinn (P71) as above and LÉ Gobnait (P72) which is to serve in the Irish Sea, on the east and south-east coasts. Of the pair, the crew of LÉ Aoibhinn are preparing the cutter into an initial stage of service this month and thereon into a full operational role. These stages see the vessel’s capabilities tested and armament installed and with their entry, they will mark a new era in Ireland’s commitment to EU fishery protection, the EEZ and in other roles tasked.

Naval Service Set to Introduce First of Two Inshore Patrol Vessels this Month Albeit on Initial Operating Basis

15th May 2024 Navy

The newest additions to the Naval Service are a pair of former Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) with the first of the cutters, expected to head out to sea this month based on an initial operating…

TT Races: During the annual major event, one return sailing on June 2 and one return sailing on June 3 have now been moved to Heysham terminal instead of Liverpool as scheduled. Above the fast-ferry Manannan berthed alongside the Princes Landing Stage at the Pier Head, Liverpool.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Announce TT Liverpool Sailings Moved to Heysham

14th May 2024 Ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has announced there will be changes to four sailings during this year’s TT Races to be held next month. These particular ferry crossings, initially set to take place on the Douglas-Liverpool route between…

Irish Sea: Effective June 1, 2024, Stena Line will revert to a two-region structure to reflect its growing business needs. Paul Grant will assume responsibility for the newly established Irish Sea North region, overseeing operations from Belfast. Johan Edelman (above) will take up the role of Trade Director for the Irish Sea South region covering Dublin and Rosslare.

Stena Line to Reinforce its Irish Sea Management By Reverting to Two Region Structure to Reflect Growth

14th May 2024 Stena Line

Stena Line, the Swedish-owned operator, has announced a strategic review of its Irish Sea management team, which will see the region divided into two and the introduction of trade area directors. The new management structure is aimed at further enhancing…

Trinity House is to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in northern France. As part of events, on 14 May, the D-Day Torch will be in advance at Trinity House in London on its journey of commemoration from the UK to Normandy. Above Roland Langmaid's painting of Juno Lightvessel and THV Warden off ‘Juno Beach’, Normandy, June 1944.

Trinity House to Mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day With Events to Include Torch Ceremony

13th May 2024 Lighthouses

Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for England, Wales, Channel Islands and Gibraltar, will join the international commemoration events of the D-Day Landings with its own story of tight planning and close collaboration in service of the historic Operation Overlord. In…

Manannan on berthing trials at the new Liverpool terminal, where the seasonal route will connect between north-west England and Douglas; however it won't be open in time for the TT Races.

Isle of Man New Ferry Terminal in Liverpool Won't be Open in Time for TT

13th May 2024 Ferry

On Merseyside, the new Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. ferry terminal in Liverpool won’t be open in time for this year’s TT. The £70 million facility at the Princes Half-Tide Dock, where work began in 2019 has been plagued…

An anchor at the RMS Tayleur Memorial in Rush, Co. Dublin

Talk: ‘Sinking of the Sailing Ship Tayleur, 1854’ at Rush Library This Thursday

13th May 2024 Historic Boats

Edward J. Bourke will give a talk on the 'Sinking of the Sailing Ship Tayleur, 1854' at Rush Library this Thursday, 16th May at 6.30 pm. To attend the talk, booking is available through Fingal Libraries (see details below). The…

Crowd-puller: The arrival of the Norwegian Star, the largest ever cruise ship to visit Galway Bay this weekend, is expected to draw huge crowds to flock and see the ‘star’ ship. The occasion is also to mark the first call to the mid-west port by Norwegian Cruise Line.

This Weekend Sees 'Largest Ever Cruise Ship' to Galway with Thousands on Board €350 Million Ship

10th May 2024 Galway Harbour

Galway Bay is to see one of the largest cruise ships ever to anchor offshore of the city over the weekend, as the 91,000 gross tonnage vessel arrives with passengers to explore the west of Ireland. The 2,400 passenger Norwegian…

Pembroke Port, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new pontoons to facilitate workboats.

Pembroke Port in Milford Haven Welcomes First Vessel to New Workboat Pontoons

10th May 2024 Ports & Shipping

In South Wales, Pembroke Port, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. The infrastructure was installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise…

Seabourn Venture, at anchorage off Schull Harbour in West Cork this week, is the first cruise ship of the season. The arrival of a prestigious high-end operator, Seabourn, with international visitors is a valuable contributor not only to the local economy but also to the region’s reputation and visibility.

First Cruise Caller to West Cork Welcomed as Seabourn Venture Anchors off Schull Harbour

10th May 2024 Cruise Liners

The first cruise ship of the season in West Cork was welcomed by Cork County Council to its harbours, Schull and Kinsale, located in Ireland’s largest county. The ultra-luxury expedition cruise ship Seabourn Venture, as Afloat previously reported visiting Killybegs,…

Seismic support ship Mainport Ceder called to its owners’ homeport of Cork, where a class annual inspection of the vessel took place with the ship classification society, (BV) Bureau Veritas. In addition, the brief call-in between seismic project contracts involved a crew change, with some members from both crews seen above at a city centre quay.

Mainport Welcomes Brief Call of Seismic Support Ship to Homeport of Cork

9th May 2024 Cork Harbour

Irish Mainport Holdings was delighted to welcome one of their two seismic support ships, Mainport Cedar, when the vessel made a brief call to Cork Harbour recently. The 54.6m length overall (LOA) Mainport Cedar, made the call to the Port…

Revenues at Irish Continental Group (ICG) were up 8.3% in the first four months of this year, according to today’s trading statement. Above, chartered cruise ferry Oscar Wilde, when providing dry-dock cover on the Rosslare-Pembroke route, is currently operating Dublin-Holyhead and between the capital and Cherbourg, France.

Irish Ferries Owner ICG Reports Revenues Up 8% in Early 2024

9th May 2024 Irish Ferries

The Irish Continental Group (ICG), the parent company of Irish Ferries, has reported revenues of €177 million for the first quarter of this year; this reflects an increase of 8.3% when compared with the same time last year. In a…

The boss of P&O Ferries, Peter Hebblethwaite, earned more than half a million pounds last year. Above: amidships of newbuild P&O Liberté, which officially joined its twin Fusion-class fleetmate, P&O Pioneer, on the company’s flagship Dover-Calais service, as Afloat previously reported.

Boss of P&O Ferries Admits He Couldn't Live on £4.87 an Hour

8th May 2024 Ferry

The boss of P&O Ferries admitted at a Westminster committee hearing, that he couldn't live on the £4.87 an hour some of its crew are paid, he told MPs at the Houses of Parliament. Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite also revealed at…

BG Freight Line (a subsidiary of Peel Ports Group) has launched four new container vessels in a bid to drive sustainability across the shipping centre. The newbuild quartet, named to reflect their striking colours, BG Green (in service, with ‘scrubber’ at the stern), BG Blue, BG Red, and BG Orange, uses state-of-the-art scrubbers and is designed to help its customers significantly reduce carbon emissions. They will operate between Liverpool-Rotterdam, Afloat adds, as part of BG Freight Line’s network connecting UK, Ireland and near mainland Europe linking France, Belgium and The Netherlands.

Container Operator BG Freight Line Launches Greenest Newbuild Vessels to Drive Sustainability

8th May 2024 Ports & Shipping

Short-sea container feeder operator BG Freight Line has unveiled its greenest ships yet with four new lo-lo vessels that will help its customers significantly reduce their carbon emissions. The new ships will use a state-of-the-art scrubber to catch CO2 and…

Stena Ro Ro is to increase cargo capacity by 30% for the 2002-built freight twins, Stena Foreteller and Stena Forerunner. The vessels (Afloat add of the 4Runner class) after conversion will be ready to meet future efficiency requirements when the works are due to be completed in 2025. A half-sister Stena Carrier made a call to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2018 to undergo ‘survey work’.

Stena Line to Increase Cargo Capacity by 30% on Twin ‘4-Runner’ Class Vessels

8th May 2024 Stena Line

On behalf of Swedish ferry operator Stena Line, Stena RoRo has signed a conversion contract with China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard for the installation of an additional cargo deck on board the Stena Foreteller and a twin, Stena Forerunner. The…