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 Royal Navy's HMS Brocklesby berthed in Douglas Harbour today, noting another former vessel of the class, HMS Ramsey was named after the harbour town to the north of the Manx capital. Also in port today, AFLOAT adds is the Isle of Man Steam Packet's fastcraft Mannanan which also has a naval connection with a previous owner when chartered to the US navy, prior to the Steam-Packet acquiring the ferry in 2009. On Wednesday, the fastcraft came out of winter layover to make a brief non-commercial call to Dublin Port on Wednesday. The reason was to enable crew to reach their required pilotage hours.

British Royal Navy Minehunter Visits Douglas Harbour

2nd December 2022 Isle of Man

A British Royal Navy minehunter HMS Brocklesby, Manx Radio reports had arrived in Douglas Harbour today. It was a morning arrival for the Royal Navy minehunter to the Manx capital as the visiting vessel berthed alongside the harbour's Victoria Pier.…

Strike-action: Whiddy Island oil terminal has 31 permanent employees at the south-west Cork facility where the company is implementing five redundancies as part of the restructuring process. Above AFLOAT's scene of the tanker, Seasprat at the terminal's dedicated single point mooring in Bantry Bay.

Strike Action to Take Place at Whiddy Island Oil Terminal

2nd December 2022 Coastal Notes

Workers who are members of Ireland's largest trade union, SIPTU have notified Zenith Energy Bantry Bay Terminals located on Cork's south-west coast, that they will take strike action next month. The strike according to the Irish Examiner, is set to take…

Manx fisheries patrol vessel, FVP Barrule was in a 'close quarters situation' with a fishing boat, the incident was reported to Isle of Man Ship Registry. AFLOAT adds the 22m Barrule serves the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) whose fisheries officers enforce fisheries legislation within the Isle of Man’s territorial seas, which extend to 12 nautical miles. The FVP was custom-buit for DEFA by Scouter Marine, Isle of Wight in 2000.

Manx Fisheries Patrol Vessel In 'Close Quarters Situation' with Fishing Boat

2nd December 2022 Isle of Man

An Isle of Man Government fisheries protection vessel (FPV) which enforces legislation up to 12 nautical miles offshore, was recently involved in a ‘close quarters situation’ with another boat. According to ManxRadio, the incident led to ‘avoidance manoeuvres’ having to…

A passing-out ceremony at the Naval Service base on Haulbowline Island, in Cork earlier this year: While there are vacancies across all three wings of the Defence Forces, the navy continues to suffer the most.

Numbers in Naval Service Fall Below 800, Over 200 Below Minimum Staffing Level

1st December 2022 Navy

The strength of personnel in the Naval Service which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, has fallen below the 800 mark which is over 200 below its minimum staffing level of 1,094. There are no captains heading cavalry squadrons when they…

HMS Glasgow, leadship of the new Type 26 / 'City' class global combat frigates for the UK's Royal Navy, is one of a trio of first batch newbuilds out of eight in total to be built by BAE Systems two Glasgow shipyards. AFLOAT adds, last week the 6,000 tonne-newbuild was transferred onto a semi-submersible barge Malin Augustea at the shipyard in Goven from where it was towed downriver to deeper waters on the Clyde at the second shipyard at Scotstoun from where fitting out work is to take place.

Royal Navy Type 26 Frigates to be Built in Glasgow Confirms UK Prime Minister

30th November 2022 Shipyards

Shipyards in Scotland are to construct five warships for the UK's Royal Navy following the British prime minister's confirmation of the next phase in a shipbuilding programme. As BBC News reports, Rishi Sunak has accounced that BAE Systems two Clydeside…

Isle of Wight based Carisbrooke Shipping of Medina in Cowes has been using Wärtsilä's fleet optimisation solution (FOS) to significantly reduce CO2 emissions across most of their fleet. Among them, Paula C which today is in Belfast Harbour having sailed from Lorient, France and above Kimberly C captured by AFLOAT at the North Sea port of Hull, England. Also tracked today, the 6,805dwt cargsoship is in the Baltic Sea bound for Kokkola in Finland, where Wärtsilä (which in 2021 recorded net sales of €4.8 billion) is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Isle of Wight Based Carisbrooke Shipping Reduces CO2 Emissions With Wärtsilä's Fleet Optimisation Solution

29th November 2022 Ports & Shipping

Cowes, Isle of Wight based drybulk and general cargo ship operator, Carisbrooke Shipping has reported a saving of over 600 tons of CO2 emissions since the start of the year having implemented Wärtsilä's Fleet Optimisation Solution (FOS). Wärtsilä, a leader…

Brittany Ferries is to mark 50 years since their first-ever ferry crossing on the English Channel took place in January 1973 with the ro-ro freightferry Kerisnel linking Roscoff and Plymouth. The anniversary of the France-UK route is to be celebrated next year, in early January when the company’s flagship Pont-Aven, which has been specially re-routed for a celebratory voyage from the Breton port to Cornwall. Afloat adds the operator five years later opened their first France-Ireland route of Roscoff-Cork which earlier this month ended the seasonal service but will resume in March, 2023 with sailings operated by Armorique and Pont-Aven.

Brittany Ferries to Celebrate 50 Years at Sea with Soundtrack to Start of More than 24 Million Holidays

28th November 2022 Brittany Ferries

In January 2023, Brittany Ferries will mark 50 years since the first-ever ferry crossing on the English Channel took place by the operator when linking the French region and Cornwall. A converted Israeli tank-carrier, Kerisnel departed Roscoff in Brittany, bound…

Aberdeen on the North Sea has been successful in its bid to bring the much-loved Tall Ships back to the Granite City in 2025 - for the first time in over a quarter of a century.

Aberdeen the Granite City Chosen As Venue for Tall Ships 2025

27th November 2022 Scottish Waters

The North Sea port of Aberdeen, Scotland is to host the Tall Ships event again, it has been announced. Aberdeen writes BBC News have been chosen for the venue in 2025 having hosted the prestigious event twice, firstly in 1991 and…

Irish Ferries which is owned by ICG said its group revenues soared to €500.5m, up 78.9% compared with last year and a 62.1% increase on 2019. Above Isle of Innisfree, one of three ferries operating their service on the Dover-Calais route.

Irish Ferries Owner ICG Sees Revenues Rise Almost 80% as Covid Curbs Dropped

24th November 2022 Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries parent company Irish Continental Group (ICG), has reported a big jump in revenues as travel restrictions from Covid eased compared to the same time last year. ICG said its group revenues in the trading period 10 months prior…

The Stena owned port of Holyhead is among five ports in Wales in a bid for freeport status Above Afloat adds is the port's Salt Island ferry terminal with on the right, linkspans used by the operator and Irish Ferries. In the centre is the former Anglesey Aluminium jetty and the pier on the left is a former ferry berth.

Port Owner of Holyhead Say 'Freeport' Status Could Create 13,000 Jobs

22nd November 2022 Stena Line

Jobs in their thousands could be created in north Wales by making the port of Holyhead into a freeport, its owners have claimed. The Swedish owned ferry company Stena Line which operates to Dublin Port, said it was working with…

Greening European ports: Only a well-designed maritime EU Emission Trading System (ETS)with dedicated funding will accelerate the greening of the shipping sector.

Only a Well-Designed Maritime EU ETS with Dedicated Funding will Accelerate Greening of the Shipping Sector

21st November 2022 Ports & Shipping

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) recognises the maritime EU Emission Trading System (EU-ETS) can be a powerful mechanism to accelerate the green transition of the sector as European ports continue to support the extension of the ETS to the…

A Greener ferry future among them, Salamanca the first Liquified Powered Gas (LNG) powered passenger ferry to operate between Ireland and mainland Europe. The Brittany Ferries cruiseferry promising lower emissions, this month entered service on the Rosslare-Bilbao route providing a more luxurious travel experience on the Ireland-Spain route.

Industry Body Discover Ferries Highlights Hybrid Future for Ferry Sector

19th November 2022 Ferry

Ferry industry body in the UK, Discover Ferries announces that the British passenger ferry industry will introduce fuel-efficient, hybrid-powered ferries to reduce carbon emissions and improve the passenger experience. In the past two years, six new ships have already entered…

Police patrol ports along western Scotland due to increasing abuse and threats to ferry staff of operator CalMac as disruption to lifeline Island services has been caused chiefly to an ageing ferry fleet. Above the much delayed Clyde built newbuild Glen Sannox was to enter the Isle of Arran service in 2018 but is not expected to make a debut until next year.

Scottish Police Patrol Ports as CalMac Staff Suffer Abuse from Ferry Fiasco

16th November 2022 Ferry

Police along the west coast of Scotland are having to patrol ports during bank holidays as ferry staff are being faced with abuse from frustrated travellers. As The Herald reports, the threats include to running over workers from customers due…

Shipbuilding Back to Belfast: The Harland & Wolff Group is set to help build three crucial support ships with the final assembly to take place at its main Belfast shipyard. The £1.6 billion contract from the UK's Ministry of Defence will see the newbuilds enter the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to service the requirements of the Royal Navy.

Belfast Shipbuilding to Return As Harland & Wolff Selected As Part of Team Bidder in UK Defence Contract

16th November 2022 Shipyards

Shipbuilder the Harland & Wolff Group is set to help construct three crucial support ships in a £1.6 billion contract from the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) with the vessels to serve the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). As the Belfast…

Artwork strongly feature on the new cruise-ferry Salamanca named after the stunning 'heritage' city in Castilla y Léon in Spain, which was officially launched in Rosslare Europort this morning. Among the luxurious facilities is the central Plaza Mayor bar, designed to evoke Salamanca city’s spectacular main square and the new 'greener' LNG powered ferry which connects Bilbao, boasts more than 200 artworks by local Spanish artists.

‘The Art of Travel’ as Brittany Ferries Officially Launch New Cruise-Ferry Salamanca

16th November 2022 Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries brings a taste of Spain to Ireland in the form of the new cruise-ferry Salamanca which officially was launched at Rosslare Europort this morning. Salamanca, named after the stunning heritage city in Castilla y Léon in Spain, replaces…

Loch Ryan: Campaigners including Stena and politicians have put the case to improve two major roads in Dumfries and Galloway with the Scottish Parliament. Above: The ferry operator's Stena Superfast VIII berthed at their Loch Ryan Port terminal which neighbours P&O Ferries operations at Cairnryan.

Loch Ryan: Campaign to Upgrade Major Roads taken to Scottish Parliament

15th November 2022 Stena Line

In south-west Scotland, campaigners from Dumfries and Galloway have gone to the Scottish Parliament, to push the case for improvements of two of the region’s trunk roads, the A75 and A77 out of Loch Ryan. The campaigners at Holyrood were…

In this freight scene during the 1980's at the Port of Foynes is where the service linking Limerick ran until closing in 2001. Behind the freight yard depot, the wheelhouse of a ship can be seen at the Shannon estuary port.

Work to Reopen Port of Foynes-Limerick Freight Railway Line

14th November 2022 Shannon Estuary

Work is to start at the Shannon estuary Port of Foynes of the first phase to reopen the railway line to Limerick which is to carry freight but also the possibility to return a passenger service. To mark the reopening…

Cruise season in Belfast Harbour was successful with a total of 141 calls made to the portin 2022 among them the Disney Magic

Final Cruise Call to Belfast Harbour Marks Successful Season

14th November 2022 Cruise Liners

A cruiseship that arrived in Belfast Harbour today marks the final call (Afloat adds Borealis) in a year that Cruise Belfast, the partnership between the port and Visit Belfast is celebrating a strong cruise season with 141 calls made in 2022.…

Strike Over at The Port of Liverpool which affected two container terminals, Afloat adds the Royal Seaforth Container Terminal (foreground) and Liverpool2 on the banks of the Mersey.

Strike at Port of Liverpool Called off After Pay Deal Agreement

10th November 2022 Ports & Shipping

One of the UK's biggest ports, the Port of Liverpool is where dock workers have announced they have called off a planned strike after reaching a deal on pay. Dockers numbering almost 600 and who are members of the union…

European Sea Ports Organisation has announced that the Barcelona Port Authority is the winner of the ESPO Award for 2022. ESPO represents the seaport authorities of all maritime Member States towards the EU institutions.

Barcelona Port Authority Winner of the European Sea Ports Organisation Award 2022

9th November 2022 Ports & Shipping

This year's winner of the European Sea Ports Organisation's EPSO Award went to the Barcelona Port Authority in recognition of the role of maritime passenger transport in enhancing the city connectivity and bringing added value to the local community. The…