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.

Fast-ferry Manannan during berthing trials at the new Isle of Man Steam Packet Terminal in Liverpool. According to the IOM Government, the start date of the first scheduled public sailing to arrive at the new terminal will follow the completion of the trials and be confirmed by the Steam Packet in due course.

Isle of Man Steam Packet’s Manannan Successfully Completes Berth Trials at New Liverpool Ferry Terminal

14th March 2024 Ferry

The Isle of Man Steam Packet’s fast-ferry Manannan made its first berthing trials on Merseyside’s new £70 million ferry terminal at Liverpool, from where they will connect Douglas. The 1998 built Manannan, which operates seasonal services, undertook the exercise yesterday…

At the Port of Sligo this morning, a general cargo ship, Wilson Lahn at the Deepwater Quay to load fishmeal, while another Wilson ASA operated cargo ship, Wilson Mosel, which last night completed loading the same cargo, is also seen at dawn, departing and bound for Norway. The scene of two ships at once at the north-west port follows the same scenario on 11 February, when more vessels of the Bergan-based operator, Wilson Ruhr, departed the port and also went to Norway, while Wilson Elbe was inbound. Up until then, a two-ship scene was a rare sight at the small regional port.

Busy Times at the Port of Sligo as Wilson ASA Cargo Ship Trio Load Fishmeal

11th March 2024 Ports & Shipping

While tracking vessels in the north-west today, among them passenger ferry Aran Islands Express, a trio of general cargo ships operated by Wilson ASA have been trading in the Port of Sligo at the weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore The operator…

Aran Islands Express, which has completed an overhaul at Mooney Boat, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, AFLOAT tracked this morning depart on its return passage to Co. Clare to resume 'seasonal’ ferry services for Doolin Ferry Co. In addition, this summer, the company is to introduce a new, larger passenger ferry, setting new standards of facilities on routes to the Atlantic archipelago.

Aran Islands Express Sets Sail Fresh From Overhaul as St. Patrick’s Day Fast Approaches

11th March 2024 Ferry

Doolin Ferry Co.’s 294-passenger Aran Islands Express this morning departed Killybegs, Co. Donegal, fresh from overhaul in readiness for St. Patrick’s Day and this year's season, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat tracked Aran Islands Express, having left Mooney Boats, the boat-builder,…

Whisky Festival: In a campaign to have additional CalMac capacity to Islay, the Fèis Ìle Committee says that despite other island festivals in the summer season having additional ferry support, they have

World Famous Islay Whisky Festival at Risk Over Lack of CalMac Capacity

10th March 2024 Ferry

The organisers of one of the world's most famous whisky festivals in Scotland say it has been put at risk after being left "high and dry" due to the ongoing ferry fiasco at CalMac. Visitors to Islay, off the south-west…

ICG has chartered Transfennica’s Timca, a container/ro-ro (con-ro) carrier on a temporary basis to trade for Irish Ferries two Dublin-based routes to Holyhead and Cherbourg, France. Above the con-ro passes the same number of cooling towers in mainland Europe, from where the ice-strengthened 205m vessel had operated on a route linking Finland, Belgium, and also the UK. The freighter carried out berthing trails at Holyhead and previously at Cherbourg, when on a repositioning voyage to Dublin. Some of Timca’s earliest sailings from Holyhead, Afloat, observed on the Dublin Bay horizon, whereas this weekend is operating a Cherbourg round trip in tandem with W.B. Yeats, which for the first time on the Ireland-France routes sees a two-ship service resume when Oscar Wilde rejoins later this month, ending the charter of Timca.

ICG Charters Transfennica Con-Ro for Irish Ferries Dublin-Wales/France Routes As Oscar Wilde Covers Norbay's Dry-Docking

9th March 2024 Irish Ferries

Irish Continental Group (ICG), it is understood, has a ‘short-term’ freight charter of Transfennica’s container/ro-ro (con-ro) Timca, operating Irish Ferries two Dublin-based routes to Holyhead and Cherbourg, writes Jehan Ashmore. As previously reported, the freight-only Timca (details below) has replaced…

P&O Liberté, the company’s newest hybrid ferry custom-built for the Dover-Calais route, which was due to debut in November but was delayed, has finally completed its delivery voyage from China. The new build, AFLOAT, tracked off Dover on sea trials in recent days and is back in port, is the second of twin ‘Fusion’ class ferries that is to enter service soon on the UK-France route and join last year’s leadship, P&O Pioneer, as the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferries. The Fusion ships, costing £230m, use hybrid capacity to reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%, with capacity for more reductions when greater shore power is available.

P&O Ferries Decarbonisation of its Fleet as Second ‘Fusion’ Class Double-Ender Due to Debut on Dover-Calais

8th March 2024 Ferry

Dover-Calais operator, P&O Ferries has shared promising results from its new fuel and energy efficiency initiative following significant measures to reduce carbon emissions in 2023. The introduction of P&O Ferries’ new dedicated Fleet Support Centre for Fuel and Energy Efficiency,…

During 2023, taking all European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) board meetings and technical committees together, women represented 41% of the port professionals participating in the meetings. ESPO is the principal interface between European seaports and the European institutions and its policy makers. Above last year’s ESPO General Assembly, in Bremen, Germany.

In 2023 Women Represented 41% of Port Professionals Participating in ESPO Work

8th March 2024 Ports & Shipping

In 2023, taking all ESPO board meetings and technical committees together, women represented 41% of the port professionals participating in the meetings. This is a slightly higher level compared to the share of women participating in 2022, which was 38%.…

Major European shipping operator, CLdN, is to add a new (Lo-Lo) container route from the Port of Cork to Rotterdam due to the increasing demand to move freight between Ireland and the continental mainland. The service from Ringaskiddy (above) to the Dutch port is to start this month and complements their existing (Ro-Ro) Cork-Zeebrugge link to Belgium.

CLdN to Launch New Port of Cork-Rotterdam (Lo Lo) Route and Expand Capacity Between the Dutch Port & UK

8th March 2024 Port of Cork

Compagnie Luxembourgouise de Navigation (CLdN) has announced the launch of a new container route between the Port of Cork and Rotterdam that is to start this month. Operating the route is CLdN Ro Ro S.A., which is chartering two 962…

The shipyard group, Harland & Wolff has signed a contract for a five year subsea fabrication work at one of its yards, Arnish located on the Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) off west Scotland. Above apprentices seen at the facility in recent years.

Contract for Five-Year Subsea Infrastructure Fabrication Work to Take Place at Harland & Wolff (Arnish) Scotland

7th March 2024 Shipyards

Shipyard group, Harland & Wolff has signed a five-year Master Services Agreement for the fabrication of large structures at one of their two Scotland based yard sites. The contract is with a global oil services company supplying subsea infrastructure across…

Oscar Wilde, on charter with Irish Ferries, started sailing last May, ‘initially’ on the Rosslare-Pembroke route. AFLOAT highlights that the cruise ferry, until last week, had to leave its Dublin-Holyhead/Cherbourg routes. This was due to the southern corridor route’s ropax ‘economy’ ferry, Norbay, on charter too, went for dry-docking, forcing a reintroduction of Oscar Wilde. It is speculated, ICG has a 'short-term’ charter of Timca, albeit a freight-only ferry, to replace Oscar Wilde and its double Dublin roles, given that sailings run to 18 March, supporting Wales serving Ulysses and to France with W.B. Yeats. On the next day, Oscar Wilde will be back in Dublin, as according to the sailing schedule, an ‘economy’ ferry, understood to be Norbay, returns to Rosslare. This would see Oscar Wilde resume Ireland/France routes in advance of summer, whereas fast ferry, Dublin Swift is to link Holyhead earlier in May.

Irish Ferries Owner Irish Continental Group Reports Higher Profits for 2023

7th March 2024 Irish Ferries

The parent company of Irish Ferries, the Irish Continental Group, has today reported higher profits for 2023, but this was set back as its revenues dipped against background challenges of high inflation coupled with a slowdown in global trade. According…

MIIN is to host a free online event on March 28th when key players in the marine industry will focus around the future national skills needs for the offshore wind, maritime, ports and the blue economy.

Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN) Event: Skilling Up - Meeting the Future Needs of the Marine Industry

7th March 2024 Jobs

Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN) is to hold an online event, Skilling Up: Meeting the Future Needs of the Marine Industry, on Tuesday, 28th March (between 14:30 and 16:00). MIIN represents and promotes the interests of their members working in…

The Ardrossan-Arran’s main route ferry, MV Caledonian Isles remains out of action, leaving just one ferry, MV Isle of Arran to operate and also during the summer months. This has forced CalMac to axe the Ardrossan-Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) summer-only service also operated by the vessel that in 2013 opened the route between North Ayrshire and Argyll from where above, AFLOAT captured the ferry berthed at the peninsula port. The tourist route offered a convenient short-cut across the Firth of Clyde saving mileage and time for those travelling in south-west Scotland.

CalMac's Summer Sailings Leave Just One Ferry on Ardrossan-Arran Route at Expense of Mull of Kintyre Service

6th March 2024 Ferry

Scotland's west coast operator, CalMac, has revealed their summer timetable - confirming a single ferry will service the Ardrossan-Brodick route at the busiest time of the year, using the company's oldest large vessel on the Firth of Clyde route. As…

What funding is there to replace the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s fast-ferry Manannan in 2026? – the topic was discussed during a sitting of the Tynwald. As above Afloat captured the catamaran craft underway having departed Douglas Harbour whilst operating on a seasonal service that involves routes linking Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.

Sitting of the Tynwald Highlights Funding Needs to Be Considered to Replace Fast-Ferry Manannan

6th March 2024 Ferry

In two years’s time, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. is due to replace the fast-ferry Manannan which has operated on seasonal-only sailings since its introduction in 2009. The 865 passenger/200 car capacity catamaran routinely operates seasonal routes, chiefly…

Farewell to the former flagship L.E. Eithne (P31) and helicopter patrol vessel (HPV) which departed the Naval Base Basin, Cork Harbour for the final time. The HPV was built locally at Verolme Cork Dockyard (V.C.D.) in 1984 and served the State for almost four decades, during which the ship made many firsts for the Naval Service, among them the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean to North America and also to the southern hemisphere with calls to South America. The HPV is seen above in its original appearance along with a Dauphin helicopter on the aft deck. The flagship vessel, AFLOAT highlights is historically significant given this was the last ever ship to be built in the Irish Republic.

Naval Service Says 'Sad Goodbye' to Former Flagship LÉ Eithne

6th March 2024 Navy

The former flagship of the Naval Service, LÉ Eithne, RTE News reports, has departed the naval base at Haulbowline, Cork Harbour for the final time. Built as a Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), the 1,920 tonnes ship is to be taken…

Making its debut, newbuild Arklow Grace of the G-class sets off on its maiden voyage from Delfzijl on the Dutch coast bordering Germany on the North Sea, but the cargo ship sailed to the nation’s Baltic Sea side.

Arklow Shipping’s Dutch G-Class Newbuild Makes Maiden Voyage to German Baltic Sea Port

5th March 2024 Arklow Shipping

After a tow from Ferus Smit’s Dutch shipyard in Westerbroek last month, newbuild Arklow Grace has since completed builder’s sea trials along with the cargo ship’s maiden commercial voyage, writes Jehan Ashmore. The tug Waterpoort towed the fourth of five…

The former flagship ferry Ben-my-Chree had been expected to remain in the IOMSPCo fleet as a backup freight carrier, above at Douglas Harbour is seen but when also operating as a passenger ferry prior to a sailing bound for Heysham.

Tynwald Talks Over the Future of Former Isle of Man Flagship Ben-my-Chree

5th March 2024 Ferry

At a Tynwald Select Committee, it was discussed whether the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company needs to maintain the former flagship ferry that served on the Douglas-Heysham route. The matter was raised at the committee sitting yesterday, as the…

An artist’s impression of the completed and installed pontoons constructed by Harland & Wolff for the Falklands Islands Port Replacement Project (FIPASS).

Harland & Wolff Awarded Preferred Bidder Status for Falkland Islands Port Replacement Project

5th March 2024 Shipyards

Shipyard and multisite fabrication company Harland & Wolff, has been awarded as the preferred bidder status for the Falkland Islands Port Replacement Project (FIPASS). The project awarded to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) listed company is focused on strategic infrastructure…

The Stena Europe made a surprise return, albeit ‘temporarily’ to the Rosslare-Fishguard route, as the relief ferry (unlike the Stena Nordica) is currently only compatible with the Welsh port’s linkspan berth. AFLOAT adds that competitor Irish Ferries last week re-introduced the chartered Oscar Wilde on their Rosslare-Pembroke route following the departure of Norbay, which since November has been also chartered, though the ropax is currently dry-docking at A&P Falmouth, Cornwall.

Stena Line’s ‘Technical Issues’ Linger on Rosslare-Fishguard Route after Six-Week Suspension

5th March 2024 Stena Line

Stena Line’s Rosslare-Fishguard route, which was abandoned altogether for nearly six weeks, is still facing difficulties maintaining its southern corridor service between the Irish and Welsh ports. As the Irish Independent reports, maintenance work at the Welsh port's linkspan berth…

A Tynwald select committee is to examine the IOM Steam Packet in sessions this month

Tynwald Committee to Look into Isle of Man Steam Packet at Evidence Sessions

4th March 2024 Ferry

A Manx Parliament (Tynwald) select committee is looking into the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which will involve evidence sessions this month. The Tynwald reports 3FM, will host the two evidence sessions as the select committee is investigating the…

Clydeport: KGV Dock in Glasgow will process over a thousand wind turbine components - weighing more than 60,000 tonnes - in 2024. Above is the Treville with wind-turbine blades on board whilst at the south-west Scotland port, AFLOAT notes the same vessel is due to the west of Ireland with a call to the Port of Galway on 9 March.

Peel Ports Clydeport on Track for Record Year Amid Wind Turbine Boom

3rd March 2024 Ports & Shipping

In south-west Scotland, Peel Ports Clydeport is set for a record year handling wind turbine components at the King George V Dock site in Glasgow as the operator continues to support the renewable energy sector. The UK’s second largest port…