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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. 

Rail efficiency: At the Port of Waterford’s main Belview terminal, a rail engine swap-over took place from a train loaded with rail-track (top photo) to that of a train with containers (bottom). In both photos, AFLOAT adds were berthed containership Samskip Express and the dredger Freeway as reported last month.

Full Steam Ahead at Port of Waterford’s Belview Terminal As Rail Engine Makes Swap-Over

11th December 2023 Ports & Shipping
At the south-east Irish port of Waterford, the main terminal at Belview is where two trains were at the facility that led to maximised efficiency as an engine swap-over took place, writes Jehan Ashmore. The swap-over was carried out last…
Belfast Harbour announced the ‘Best UK & British Isles Port of Call’ by Cruise Critic, the port welcomed 159 cruise calls and 32 cruise lines in 2023. Afloat adds above is a Norwegian Dawn in Belfast Lough as seen from a departing Stena Line ferry.

Belfast Harbour is Named 'Best UK & Ireland Port of Call' by Cruise Critic's Editors’ Picks Awards

11th December 2023 Cruise Liners
Belfast Harbour has been recognised as the Best UK & British Isles Port of Call at this year’s Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards. Cruise Critic, a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, is the world’s leading cruise reviews site and online cruise…
The Transport Committee of the EU Parliament report that embraces the comprehensive role of Europe’s ports and the vital role that ports play for Europe’s society and economy. The report has been highly welcomed by ESPO which is the principal interface between European seaports and the European institutions and its policy makers.

Europe’s Ports Where Focus on Implementation is the Best Port Strategy Forward - ESPO Welcomes

8th December 2023 Ports & Shipping
The Transport Committee in the European Parliament has adopted the own-initiative report on building a comprehensive European Port Strategy. On foot of this the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has highly welcomed that the report embraces the comprehensive role of…
The Granite Coast: Engineering workers along the south Dublin coastline at Dalkey’s Coliemore Harbour, used a converted container lowered by crane to access the bedrock, where in recent years a slab of rock sheared off the cliff and dropped to the water below. Due to safety concerns, access was impeded temporarily, so to insert rock anchors into the granite cliff face, but now the south pier is accessible for locals and tourists to take in the scenic views.

Coastal Works in Dalkey, Co. Dublin Sees Completion of Coliemore Harbour Remedial Repair Project

8th December 2023 Dublin Bay
Engineering works which took place over recent months in Dalkey, Co. Dublin involving the Coliemore Harbour Remedial Repair project have been completed this week, writes Jehan Ashmore. A section of bedrock along the cliff face as Afloat reported in 2020,…
In the LoLo market, traffic declined by 6% to 277,600 TEU’s for all three Irish container ports: Dublin, Cork and Waterford (as above) this is the lowest third quarter performance of the post-Brexit era – according to IMDO’s latest figures which has a long term trajectory of Irish LoLo traffic of between 290,000 – 295,000 TEU’s per quarter.

Lo-Lo Traffic Declines at All Irish Container Ports for Q3 2023 - IMDO Say Long Term is for Increased Volume

8th December 2023 Ports & Shipping
The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) has released its Unitised Traffic Report for the third quarter of 2023. The volume of RoRo traffic at Republic of Ireland ports declined by 2% to 291,879 units in the third quarter of 2023…
After a routine annual winter overhaul dry-docking at Harland & Wolff, Belfast, W.B. Yeats completed a Dublin-Cherbourg round trip today, with an arrival at the Irish port during strong south-easterly gale force winds, noting this afternoon’s return sailing to France has been cancelled, the company citing adverse weather conditions, however the next sailing is scheduled for Friday. During the dry-docking, ropax pair, Epsilon along with Norbay, operated the Ireland-France route. Epsilon has been replaced directly by its successor, the chartered Norbay of P&O Ferries, which takes over its sailing schedule on the French route and having already done so on the Dublin-Holyhead route.

W.B.Yeats Returns to Irish Ferries Service On France Route Albeit Today's Overnight Sailing Is Cancelled Due to Adverse Weather

7th December 2023 Irish Ferries
W.B. Yeats which was delayed in dry-dock has finally re-entered Irish Ferries Dublin-Cherbourg route as the cruise-ferry completed the Ireland-France round trip today, however this afternoon's sailing to the continent is cancelled due to bad weather, writes Jehan Ashmore. It was…
Sail-powered general cargo-boat, Grain de Sail 1 is to operate for French shipowner, Grain de Sail on their new English Channel route of St.Malo-Southampton, importing wines, coffee, chocolate and luxury retail brands. This will be their second service, which connects Europe with the America’s. The company plan further routes including to Ireland.

Sail-Powered French Cargo-Operator to Launch English Channel Service Set for the New Year

6th December 2023 Ports & Shipping
A sail-powered French cargo shipping company, Grain de Sail is poised to launch an English Channel service early next year. The Brittany-based group, founded in Morlaix in 2010, has activities spanning in wine, chocolate and coffee processing, maritime transport, import…
Aasen Shipping orders three new hybrid powered methanol-ready self-dischargers/cargo ships from Dutch shipbuilder, Royal Bodewes. The Norwegian shipping company operate self-discharging ships for transporting bulk cargo and break bulk cargo among them to Irish Ports. Loading/discharging, is carried out by the ship’s crew using an excavator mounted above the hold. Among their existing tonnage, AFLOAT add is Aastind which at time of writing, today, is at anchor in Dublin Bay having sailed from Rotterdam (Botlek), The Netherlands. Another fleetmate, Aasli last month made a brief call to Belfast having received work at Harland & Wolff.

Newbuild Order from Aasen Shipping for Three Hybrid Powered Methanol-Ready Self-Discharging Cargo Ships

6th December 2023 Shipyards
Aasen Shipping of Norway which has a fleet of self-discharging cargo ships which call to Irish Ports, has ordered from a Dutch shipyard for three new hybrid powered methanol-ready self-dischargers. Delivery of the vessels from shipbuilder, Royal Bodewes to Assen…
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on Friday (1 December) captured images and a video by the UK research icebreaker, the Royal Research Ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough (built on Merseyside) off the megaberg A23a – the largest iceberg in the world which is twice the size of Greater London, which is now ‘on the move’.

RRS Sir David Attenborough Collect Samples off Largest Iceberg in World 'A23a' During First Antarctic Climate Science Mission

4th December 2023 Marine Science
Scientists aboard the UK's RRS Sir David Attenborough as Afloat previously reported, have collected samples of seawater around the A23a mega iceberg, the largest iceberg in the world. New video footage shows the enormous icebergNew video footage shows the enormous…
Leading shipping company Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have issued a joint declaration at COP 28 calling for an end date for fossil-only powered newbuilds. They’ve urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations (UN) global regulator, to create the regulatory conditions to accelerate the transition to green fuels.

Major Shipping CEO's at COP28 Join Forces to Accelerate Decarbonization of Global Maritime Transport

4th December 2023 Ports & Shipping
Leading global shipping lines headed by their Chief Executive Officers (CEO) have issued a joint declaration at COP 28 calling for an end date for fossil-only powered newbuilds. They are urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global regulator, to…
Former flagship of the Naval Service, LÉ Eithne (P31) along with two coastal patrol vessels (CPV), are to be sent overseas and taken apart for scrap after plans to convert the HPV into a museum came to nothing. LÉ Eithne, which was the Naval Service’s largest vessel and the last (naval service vessel) to be constructed in Ireland, in addition AFLOAT highlights as the last ever ship to be built in the Republic, which was decommissioned last year.

LÉ Eithne: Former Flagship of the Naval Service to Be Sent Overseas for Disposal At Scrap Recycling Facility

4th December 2023 Navy
LÉ Eithne, the former flagship of the Naval Service which was a helicopter patrol vessel (HPV) along with two coastal patrol vessels (CPV), reports The Irish Times, are to be sent abroad and broken up for recycled scrap, after plans…
Former dredger Hebble Sand along Drogheda town’s quays cannot be removed until the 60 year old vessel can be surveyed to ascertain if it meets the required buoyancy standards.

Dredger Needs Survey Before Its Removal in Drogheda - Is Still Uncompleted

3rd December 2023 Drogheda Port
A disused dredger berthed in Drogheda Port at the town's quay for almost a decade, needs to have a survey carried out and be certified for removal, has still yet to be completed. The grab hopper-dredger Hebble Sand built in 1963,…
A new ultra-low emissions version of Wärtsilä’s already efficient 31DF engine, which is applied on one of the four engines of Wasaline’s ropax ferry Aurora Botnia which operates on the Gulf of Botnia between Sweden and Finland as AFLOAT reported previously in ice conditions. The version has helped to further reduce methane emissions by 10 percent on the vessel, which is the world’s most environmentally friendly ropax. 2023 marks 75 years since the predecessors of the current Wasaline started shipping company operations between Umeå, Sweden and Vaasa, Finland.

Partnership between Wärtsilä and Ferry Operator Wasaline Further Reduces Methane Emissions of World’s Most Environmentally Friendly RoPax

1st December 2023 Ferry
Wärtsilä, the technology group has introduced a new ultra-low emissions version of its already efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engine on board a ferry operating in Scandinavia. Whilst operating on LNG, this new version can further reduce methane emissions on a 50…
The managing director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company says it doesn't expect the newbuild flagship Manxman to be perfect yet, but is confident any issues can be fixed.

Isle of Man Newbuild Flagship Manxman 'Not Expected to be Perfect'

30th November 2023 Ferry
The ferry operator, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has said it doesn't expect their flagship Manxman to be perfect yet, but its confident any issues can be fixed. The 24,161 gross tonnes newbuild which was built in South…
Belfast Harbour has begun work on a £3m project at City Quays Gardens, the above in an impression of the garden due to be completed in August, 2024. In the background is Belfast Harbour Commissioners' Office and the new City Quays 3 high rise office tower recently built.

Belfast Harbour Project Aims to Gain Landmark “One Planet Living” Accreditation at City Quays Gardens

30th November 2023 Belfast Lough
A Belfast Harbour project costing £3m has commenced work on the City Quays Gardens, which is to be a vibrant new urban garden in the city and is expected to be completed by August 2024. The City Quays Gardens project…
The Mersey Maritime Annual Industry Awards were held in Liverpool, you can watch highlights of the evening, see link below. Among the winners were Maersk, Cruise Liverpool and Svitzer.

Mersey Maritime Awards Celebrate Liverpool City Region Sectors of Industry Excellence

28th November 2023 Ports & Shipping
Mersey Maritime's 9th Annual Industry Awards were hosted at the iconic Liverpool Cathedral, marking a significant highlight in the UK maritime sector’s calendar. More than over 550 distinguished guests (YouTube highlights) on 2nd November from across the United Kingdom and beyond…
To watch the National Historic Ships UK Annual Awards Ceremony (click the link below), where presenters Ash Faire-Ring and Dan Snow reveal the winners of this year's Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, the Martyn Heighton Award for Excellence in Maritime Conservation and the ‘Flagships of the Year’ which AFLOAT highlight include the above Belfast based HMS Caroline (YouTube from 17:30 mins) and the former Royal Yacht Britannia, from where the awards were filmed on board the historic vessel in Leith Docks, near Edinburgh.

National Historic Ships UK 2023 Winners Featuring Belfast’s Awarded Flagship HMS Caroline

27th November 2023 Historic Boats
Winners of the National Historic Ships UK 2023 Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, and Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award were revealed on Wednesday 22 November, during an Awards Ceremony filmed at The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks, Edinburgh and…
An approach from the Belfast based shipyard group, Harland & Wolff to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) have been ‘unequivocally’ rebuffed. In recent years, H&W acquired Devon’s Appledore shipyard, which AFLOAT adds in 1977 built Scillonian III, which has served for 46 years is to be replaced by a newbuild constructed overseas. The passenger seasonal service ended recently, however the ISSG also operate a year-round ‘Skybus’ airplane service to the archipelago.

Shipbuilder Harland and Wolff Bid for Isles of Scilly Ferry Operator Rejected

26th November 2023 Shipyards
The south-west England operator running between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has “unequivocally rejected” a takeover bid from the Belfast based shipbuilder Harland and Wolff (H&W), reports Business Live. Bosses at the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG), which…
Maritime union has warned of a potential industrial action over 'live on board' dispute with the Isle of Man Steam Packet. Above the new flagship Manxman berthed in Douglas Harbour.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Confused as Maritime Union Ballots Members

23rd November 2023 Ferry
Ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company believed it had been on the brink of agreement with the trade union Nautilus International, over new conditions for its crew, including on board the flagship Manxman introduced in August. Manxman…
Volume of cars at Irish Ferries, owned by ICG, rose by 12.2% to 588,700 in the year to 18 November. Above the chartered Oscar Wilde serves the Rosslare-Pembroke Dock route, as part of the company’s UK land-bridge routes and Dublin-Cherbourg, directly linking Ireland to mainland Europe.

Irish Ferries Owner, Irish Continental Group Report Lower Revenues So far this Year

23rd November 2023 Irish Ferries
The operator Irish Ferries which is owned by parent company, Irish Continental Group (ICG) has issued a trading statement today which reported of a dip in revenues but increased volumes of passengers and freight levels. The Dublin based ferry, shipping…
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