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Jehan Ashmore

Jehan Ashmore

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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. 

At the unveiling of the portrait of Stena Line owner, Dan Sten Olsson, at the Belfast Harbour Office in Corporation Square are (l-r) Cpt Kevin Allen (Harbour Master), Belfast Harbour, Joe O’Neil (CEO), Belfast Harbour, Andy Kane (Regional Ports Operation Manager-Irish Sea North), Stena Line, Dan Sten Olsson, Dr Theresa Donaldson (Chair), Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Michael Robinson (Port Director), Belfast Harbour, Paul Grant (Trade Director), Stena Line, Niclas Martensson (CEO), Stena Line, and Maurice Bullick (Finance Director), Belfast Harbour.

Portrait of Stena Line Owner Unveiled at Belfast Harbour Where Ferry Operator Has Record Freight Volumes

30th January 2024 Stena Line
Ferry operator Stena Line has reported a record year for freight volumes in and out of Belfast Harbour on its routes across the North Channel to Scotland and the Irish Sea to England with approximately 587,000 units being transported in…
Port-Partners at the hydrogen agreement signing is CEO of SFPC Pat Keating, Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands Brendan Rogers and external affairs manager at the Port of Rotterdam, Mark Dijk.

Shannon Foynes & Largest Port in Europe, Rotterdam Plan Green Fuels Supply-Chain to Continent

29th January 2024 Shannon Estuary
Shannon Foynes Port Company, which operates Ireland's largest bulk-port and the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, have signed an agreement to develop a supply-chain corridor for exporting green hydrogen into Europe. The hydrogen is to be generated from Ireland’s limitless…
Making a splash, Arklow Resolve takes to the waterway at Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes, as the fifth Eco-Trader is launched out of seven 6,800dwt capacity cargo-ships.

Fifth Eco-Trader for Arklow Shipping Launched with Just Two More Newbuilds to Go

29th January 2024 Arklow Shipping
Once again Arklow Shipping has had Dutch shipbuilder, Royal Bodewes launch an Eco-Trader of their 6,800dwt design series, writes Jehan Ashmore. Arklow Resolve with a newbuild no. (NB: 825) at the Hoogezand yard, near Groningen, is were the launch on…
During the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show the total number of ship’s arrivals were 3,130 to the seven main Irish ports compared with 3,202 in period Q3, 2022.

Figures from CSO Show Irish Ports Handled 11.8 Million tonnes of Goods in Q3, 2023 - Decrease of 4% on Last Year

25th January 2024 Irish Ports
Irish Ports handled 11.8 million tonnes of goods in Q3 of 2023, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures - for the period of July, August and September - a 4% decrease compared with same quarter 2022. As RTE News reports, the…
Cruise season at Cork Harbour which is to have a surge in calls with a rise of 23% this year. AFLOAT captured at Cobh, Artania last season with up 1,200 passenger guests travelling with Phoenix Reisen, which mostly caters for the German cruise market. The ship is to return twice, in May and October. As for the season’s opening caller in April, this will be MS Sirena of Oceania Cruises.

Cruise Ship Surge As Operators Head to Port of Cork for 2024 Season

24th January 2024 Cruise Liners
The cruise ship season at the Port of Cork is to have a surge in the number of vessels accommodated this year with a rise by 23% to 116 vessels. Starting in April, the season will run up to November…
Mixed blessings: The main Isle of Arran ferry, MV Caledonian Isles (when at Ardrossan) is to remain out of service on routine overhaul in Greenock, Clyde, with an extended dry-docking to enable further steel-works. In the meantime, despite a fault to an engine with the route’s ageing second ferry, Isle of Arran, has after sea-trails today, 24 January resumed service.

Firth of Clyde’s Main Arran Ferry MV Caledonian Isles Out of Action for Extended Period, While Second Ferry Resumes Service Today

24th January 2024 Ferry
The main Isle of Arran ferry which operates the Ardrossan-Brodick route, reveals Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) will be futher delayed until at least March, reports the Ardrossan&SaltcoatsHerald. MV Caledonian Isles which is undergoing annual overhaul at Dales Marine Service, Greenock, as…
A new Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service, to be the State’s largest ship, is likely to cost a total of €300m, compared to a previous figure of €200m. Among designs of the MRV project, is based on the Dutch Navy’s auxiliary multi-function support logistic supply vessel, HNLMS Karel Doorman, which AFLOAT reported a visit to Belfast Harbour at the weekend and has since returned to Plymouth Sound and today is on exercises with other foreign navies in the English Channel.

Cost Increases for Ireland's Largest New Naval Service Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) is Likely to Reach €300m

24th January 2024 Navy
An increase in a budget set by the Irish Government for a new Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to serve the Naval Service, which will easily be the largest ship in the State’s history, in now to cost €300m. The Department of Defence,…
Blame from freight group’s has been put directly on the Northern Ireland Protocol for narrowing down the options of captains, as vessels get hit by storms in the Irish Sea. As far as ferries are concerned, they use the ports of Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint.

Northern Ireland Protocol: Blamed By Freight Groups for Making it Harder for Irish Sea Ferry in Storm Isha to Head for Port

23rd January 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Blame has been put directly to the Northern Ireland Protocol for narrowing down the options of captains, as vessels get hit by storms in the Irish Sea. With Storm Isha just over, the News Letter also reported the the severe…
Disruption continues on the St. Georges Channel crossing as ropax Stena Nordica cannot currently use Fishguard Harbour, coupled with issues with relief ferry, Stena Europe. The former Fishguard-Rosslare ferry had too left the route, for repairs, but the service is expected to reopen next week.

Sailings Not Running at Fishguard Due to Berth Works While Relief Ferry Stena 'Europe' is Under Repairs

23rd January 2024 Stena Line
Ropax Stena Nordica which has been absent from Fishguard Harbour linking Rosslare since early January, had led to a relief ferry that too left the south Wales port due to issues, leaving no ship to cover the route. Operator, Stena Line…
The severity of the weather in the Irish Sea during Storm Isha was only a one notch away from being ‘hurricane force’ conditions according to the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Above a weather map relating to the current Storm Jocelyn.

Storm Isha Was One Notch Away from 'Hurricane Force' in the Irish Sea - With Little Respite as Storm Jocelyn Sweeps In

23rd January 2024 Belfast Lough
It was so stormy on the Irish Sea during Storm Isha that the shipping forecast had put the weather conditions just one notch away from being categorised as hurricane force, it has emerged. While on land, Storm Isha interrupted electricity…
The flagship ferry of the Isle of Man Steam Packet’ Manxman made a ‘virtual reality trip’ to the new ferry terminal in Liverpool. Whereas in the real-world, as Afloat reported recently, the operator’s fast-ferry Manannan is to undertake berthing trials in March (in advance of the flagship), as the fast-ferry is scheduled also in the same month to resume the seasonal service to and from Douglas.

Flagship Ferry Manxman Makes ‘Virtual’ Visit to New Liverpool Terminal

23rd January 2024 Ferry
The flagship ferry Manxman has made its first ‘virtual’ arrival at the Isle of Man Government's new £70m Liverpool terminal due to open in March. Officers of the Isle of Man Steam Packet, writes IOMToday, undertook a recent trip using…
Sailings continue to be cancelled on the Firth of Clyde route of Ardrossan-Brodick (Arran) as the oldest ferry in the CalMac fleet, the 1984 Clyde-built MV Isle of Arran was discovered with engine issues which is undergoing repairs. This afternoon an update will be provided at 2pm regarding the status of sailings.

Cancelled Sailings Continue on Scotland Route Due to Fault Discovered on Isle of Arran Ferry

23rd January 2024 Ferry
On the Firth of Clyde, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) announced there will be no sailings between Ardrossan and Brodick, Isle of Arran today, 23 January. Following Storm Isha, this time CalMac say the cancellations aren't down to the weather,…
A new service from shipbuilder, Harland & Wolff, is to focus on its UK and Europe-wide sea freight, towage and workboat charter to clients in addition the dedicated fleet will provide support in the internal movement of structures between the Group’s yards in Belfast, Scotland and England.

New Charter-Service Fleet Division at Harland & Wolff to Support Group's Shipyards and Clients

23rd January 2024 Shipyards
Shipyard group, Harland & Wolff has formally commenced its marine services offering under Harland & Wolff (Marine Services) Ltd, this is part of its five-market, six-service business growth strategy. (HWMS), HWMS will be focussed on growing and maturing its UK…
Firth of Clyde: Disruption to the south-west Scotland CalMac ferry route of Ardrossan-Isle of Arann, as divers discover safety concerns at the Irish berth, forced the port to cease operations. In addition to yesterday’s Storm Isha, AFLOAT adds, sailings were also cancelled today due to strong winds. Above Caledonian Isles, at Ardrossan, one of the route’s two long-term serving ferries seen in more clement conditions.

Ferry Woes in Scotland Develop at 'Irish' berth as Safety Issues Emerge at Ardrossan Harbour

22nd January 2024 Ferry
Passenger ferry services on one of Scotland's busiest routes is to face a new wave of disruption after divers discovered safety issues at Ardrossan Harbour in north Ayrshire. On Thursday, the Irish Berth was put out of action, as the…
Chemical tanker, Songa Crystal which required emergency repairs at Harland & Wolff, is seen at the Belfast Dry Dock, the smaller of two such facilities at the shipyard.

Tanker Requiring Emergency Repairs Calls to Harland & Wolff's Belfast Dry-Dock

22nd January 2024 Shipyards
A Maltese flagged oil/chemical tanker which required emergency repairs is at the shipyard of Harland & Wolff, Belfast having arrived earlier this month, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 127m red hulled tanker, Songa Crystal called to Belfast Lough on 8 January…
Storm Isha: It was a rough crossing from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast, which left passengers stuck in frightening conditions as the Stena Estrid circled at sea, AFLOAT adds when off the entrance to Belfast Lough as crashing waves led the ferry to be considerably late by 10-hours.

Passengers on Ferry During Storm Isha Left Circling in Irish Sea Overnight as Crashing Waves Cause 10-Hour Delay

22nd January 2024 Stena Line
Passengers on a Stena Line ferry from Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast endured a turbulent night on the Irish Sea, as Storm Isha forced the Stena Estrid to go circling for several hours amid the crashing waves. Stena Estrid as of…
Surprise call as Brittany Ferries well-proportioned cruiseferry Normandie, for the first ever time arrived to an Irish port, berthing at Rosslare Europort after a sailing from Cherbourg earlier this month, so to cover crossings Cotentin would have operated, but currently the ropax is under repair in Brittany. This weekend’s France-Ireland roundtrip is cancelled, as Normandie remains at the French port. On the right, also at Rosslare is partially seen the Stena Europe, which too made a surprise return recently, as Afloat had reported the veteran is off-service on the Fishguard route due also to repairs.

Sailings Cancelled on Brittany Ferries Rosslare-Cherbourg Service to Have Involved Final ‘Normandie’ Crossings

20th January 2024 Brittany Ferries
Today’s night-time Brittany Ferries sailing on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service is cancelled, this was to have been the third and final France-Ireland weekend roundtrip operated notably by Normandie in a relief role, writes Jehan Ashmore. The operator’s website sailing update does…
Making a visit to Belfast Harbour today, the largest vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Karel Doorman, an auxiliary logistic support vessel was escorted into the port by a pair of tugs. The Dutch built ship is among several options the Irish Government is looking into as a basis to acquire a €200m newbuild Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service, enabling humanitarian missions overseas with medical facilities, etc. Above the naval visitor is seen as AFLOAT previously reported when calling to Cobh, Cork Harbour in 2021.

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…
New Brexit Paperwork: Firms in Ireland will be required to have pre-lodge customs declarations ahead of shipping their products to Britain from the end of this month.

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, Irish Ferries cruiseferry of the Dublin-Holyhead route, is having an annual overhaul at A&P Tyne, which is the largest commercial dry-dock on the England’s east coast. While away from Irish Sea duties, W.B. Yeats is operating the roster of the cruiseferry. Also above at the North Sea marine engineering facility is Prysmian's Cable Enterprise alongside when berthed on the Tyne.

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.…
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