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MAY 2018 • Vol 53
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CLASSIC FERRY Vronskiy FLEET TANKERS Tide class CLASSIC CARGO West to East
MAY 18_mh.indd 1 07/03/2018 16:32

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he main feature this month looks Knock Nevis and the container ship Emma
12 issues of Ships Monthly are published a year at the massive Pioneering Spirit, Maersk, both with a single hull, are longer.
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KELSEYmedia www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 3
Page3_editorial_May 2018_NL.indd 3 07/03/2018 09:34

CONTENTS 16 CARGO
IRISH FERRIES • JONATHAN SWIFT OFF TO SPAIN
PASTEUR REGULARS Evergreen to add 20 ships, AET builds up its
6 WATERFRONT fleet, tankers go for recycling, and new cargo
vessel ordered for Scotline.
Remembering Vessel of the year Maersk Master, where to see
£4.50
a classic liner
MAY 2018
tall ships, and jack-up vessel Seafox 5 ready.
THE BIGGEST PROFILE OF
THE UNIQUE
SHIP IN THE PIONEERING 10 FERRY
WORLD SPIRIT Good year for Seatruck, Jonathan Swift to Spain,
and changes for Wightlink. Russell Plummer
ANNIVERSARY
THE INFAMOUS ‘BATTLE’
OF THE ISLE OF MAY LATEST
100 YEARS AGO NEWS
18 NEWBUILD
REPORTS
FRO
THE WORLD M
OF
SHIPPING
COMMODORE 70 YEARS OF SERVICE New boxships for Cosco, X-bow for offshore
work, new design with rotor sails. Jim Shaw
MAY 2018 • Vol 53
12 CRUISE 20 NEWS FEATURE

£4.50
CLASSIC FERRY Vronskiy FLEET TANKERS Tide class CLASSIC CARGO West to East
COVER Pioneering Spirit, the largest ship in the Remembering the Battle of the Isle of May
world, is featured on pages 33-37. Deutschland charter extended, Celebrity Edge
100 years ago. Mark Winson
latest, Greek numbers down. William Mayes
ALSO AVAILABLE 14 NAVAL 22 NEWS FEATURE

Review of an exhibition at the V&A Museum
DIGITALLY HMS Ocean bows out after 20 years, and two
looking at ocean liners. Paul Brown
WWW.POCKETMAGS.COM European alliances forming. Gary Davies
SUBSCRIBE TODAY • See page 24 for more info
CONTENTS May 2018_NL.indd 4 07/03/2018 09:35

The Japanese-built handysize bulk carrier Ocean Brother (2000/16,963gt/28,463dwt)
departs Avonmouth and passes Portishead on 28 December 2017, heading into the
Bristol Channel with a cargo of scrap for Icdas, Turkey. DAVID FLETCHER
WWW.SHIPSMONTHLY.COM
33
46 COMMODORE
FEATURES
SHIP OF THE MONTH
33 PIONEERING
Commodore Shipping marks seven decades of
26 BIG PICTURE providing lifeline freight services from the UK SPIRIT
AIDAprima lights up the Hamburg skyline as to the Channel Islands. Russell Plummer
the German port welcomes the cruise ship.
28 WEST TO EAST
Before and after photographs of cargo ships
sold from west to east. Roy Fenton Pioneering Spirit, the largest ship in the world,
built for decommissioning oil platforms. Jim Shaw
38 MARITIME MOSAIC
Photos from Fremantle, which sees everything CHARTROOM
from cargo to cruise ships. Kevin Mitchell 49 SHIPS PICTORIAL 60 SHIPS MAIL
Photos of ships around the world, including at
40 PASTEUR Tilbury, Algeciras, Singapore and Auckland.
A selection of letters from readers.
Profile of the French liner Pasteur, which became 62 PORTS OF CALL

the German liner Bremen. Stephen Payne 52 TIDE CLASS Cruise ship calls. Andrew and Donna Cooke
The newly built Tide class tankers provide
the Royal Navy with a vital replenishment 63 MYSTERY SHIP
capability. Conrad Waters Can you identify this month’s mystery ship?
56 VRONSKIY PROFILE 64 SHIPS LIBRARY

Reviews and details of new shipping books.
The vintage ferry Vronskiy, which was delivered
in 1978 as Prinses Beatrix, remains in service in 65 NEXT ISSUE
the Mediterranean. Matt Davies Details of the June issue of Ships Monthly.
MAY 2018 • Volume 53 • No.5
CONTENTS May 2018_NL.indd 5 06/03/2018 11:31

WATERFRONT
event sponsored by SovComFlot
The French three-masted barque (SCF), who also sponsored the
Belem at the Lisbon Tall Ships
Black Sea Regatta in 2014 and
event in 2016. She is due to
take part in the Three Festivals 2016. So far the only regular
Regatta starting in May. MAX class A ships in this race are the
Dar Mlodziezy class Russian
ships Pallada (black hull with
gunports) and Nadezhda (white
hull). They will be racing against
the four-masted schooner
Koreana and the class B Japanese
topsail schooner Ami. The first
race is from Yeosu in Korea to
Vladivostok and then a second
race from and to Vladivostok.
The annual STI Tall Ships race
starts in Sunderland. The 15 class A
ships are all race regulars, with the
notable absence of Dar Mlodziezy,
which is sailing around the world
MORE CHANCES TO SEE TALL SHIPS to mark Poland’s independence.
Also joining the fleet will be INS
Tarangini, the Indian Navy’s sail
the Dutch brig Morgenster. The New Orleans and Pensacola in training vessel and a near sister
UNDER SAIL UK is represented by the classic April. Galveston is the home to to the UK’s Lord Nelson. The first
This coming year promises to be gaff ketch Maybe (which raced in the barque Elissa, built in Scotland race is to Esbjerg, then a cruise
a good one for tall ships events. the first tall ships race in 1956), in 1877, which will be racing in company to Stavanger and
The Three Festivals Regatta takes the barque Lord Nelson and against the Oliver Hazard Perry the second race to Harlingen.
in Liverpool, Dublin and Bordeaux mainmast barquentine Pelican. and Picton Castle, with Dutch The fleet for the second race
and runs from 25 May to 18 June. In America the Tall Ships topsail schooner Oosterschelde should include Dutch full-rigged
Currently, the largest entrant is the Challenge series will be in the likely to be the only larger entrant. ship Stad Amsterdam and both
French barque Belem, followed by Gulf coast ports of Galveston, SCF Far East Regatta is a new Kruzenshtern and Sedov. MM
NEW FYLDE LIFESAVER REM MAKE A COME BACK

The new lifeboat left the RNLI Vestland Cetus (2013) leaving dry
NEW LIFEBOAT College at Poole on 21 February dock in Aberdeen on 17 February
The new 13m Shannon lifeboat and, following overnight stops at having been renamed REM Cetus
and repainted in the REM dark
Barbara Anne arrived at her Brixham, Newlyn, Kilmore Quay
blue colour scheme. DAVID DODDS
Lytham St Annes station on and Holyhead, arrived at Lytham
25 February, being welcomed St Annes. Her predecessor, the
by hundreds of people who 12m Mersey Her Majesty The
gathered on the promenade to Queen, and Blackpool Atlantic
watch the new lifeboat being 85 were on hand to welcome her,
brought more than a mile across and she was recovered onto the
the sands from the shore. purpose-designed SLRS rig.
Mistral. All are being renamed

PLATFORM SUPPLY with REM prefixes and repainted
Aage Remoy was the owner of in REM dark blue scheme.
REM Offshore but lost all his fleet The 4,260dwt Vestland Insula
following a takeover by Solstad two was the first to be renamed and
years ago. Recently he has taken painted in late January, and her
a 60 per cent share in Norway’s sister vessel Vestland Cetus (2013)
Vestland Offshore, which has given came out of dry dock in Aberdeen
him control of four Platform Supply on 17 February, renamed REM
Vessels operated by Vestland Cetus. She then headed back to
 A large crowd of RNLI supporters braved freezing temperatures to PSV: Vestland Cetus, Vestland Peterhead, where she is working
welcome the new lifeboat Barbara Anne to Lytham. NICHOLAS LEACH Insula, Vestland Mira and Vestland on a long-term charter. RC
6 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com
Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 6 06/03/2018 11:41

news
MASTER IS VESSEL OF THE YEAR BRIEF NEWS
WATERFRONT • www.shipsmonthly.com • Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG • t > 01959 541444 • e > sm.ed@kelsey.co.uk
M class series, are designed to and flexible hybrid propulsion CLEAN BURNING • Waterfront
SUPPLY VESSEL provide clients with reliability system, and has fixed-pitch Shipping Company, Marinvest/
In early February at the Annual and efficiency in anchor- thrusters. She has an ROV Skagerack Invest, IINO Kaiun
Offshore Support Journal handling and towing operations. garage for a remotely operated Kaisha, Mitsui and the NYK
Conference in London, Maersk They can also carry goods to vehicle, a large deck area, and a Group (NYK) are to build four new
Master was awarded Vessel of and from offshore facilities, 450-tonne crane. ocean-going vessels powered
the Year. It is the second year and undertake oil recovery Two further M class vessels, by clean-burning methanol fuel.
running that Maersk Supply operations. Maersk Mariner and Maersk The four 49,000dwt vessels will be
Service has gained this award for The 10,181gt Maersk Master Mover, are already part of the delivered in 2019 and built with
one of its new ships. was built at the Kleven Yard in Maersk Supply Service fleet. The MAN B&W ME-LGI two-stroke
Maersk Master and her sister Norway and is powered by five remaining three vessels will be dual-fuel engines that can run on
newbuilds, the Starfish design engines, with a fuel-efficient delivered later in 2018 and 2019. methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel
oil or gas oil. The vessels will join
The DP2 deepwater anchor- the existing seven methanol-
handling tug supply vessel Maersk fuelled vessels chartered by WFS.
Master has been voted vessel of
These innovative vessels are built
the year at the Annual Offshore
Support Journal Conference. with the first-of-its kind MAN
B&W ME-LGI two-stroke dual-fuel
engines using clean-burning
methanol as an alternative fuel.
CORSICA GROWTH • Ferry
statistics for 2017 released by
Corsican authorities reveal
trailer throughput reaching an
all-time high, with vessels linking
Marseille, Nice and Toulon with
the island carrying eight per cent
more freight. This represents an
increase of 19 per cent during
the last decade and was primarily
related to Marseille and Corsica
NEW RIVER BERTH AT TILBURY FIXED LINK

Ferries, whose carryings went up
16 per cent over 2016. Corsica
PORT NEWS
month reported that it carried
more freight between Zeebrugge AND FERRIES Ferries controls 44 per cent
of the freight market, with La
On 26 February P&O Ferries and Tilbury in 2017 than ever, Méridionale, also using Marseilles
announced that it had reached expects the new capacity at
ENGLISH CHANNEL as a French hub, recording growth
agreement with Forth Ports to Tilbury will greatly improve its The performance of the English of eight per cent. RP
move to a purpose-built £150 services. An application for a Channel fixed link against the
million river berth on the Thames development consent order record-breaking figures provided PORT NEWS • Stena Line
at the Port of Tilbury, which will for Tilbury2 was submitted in by the Port of Dover for ferry Ports is investing more than £4
treble its freight capacity to October 2017. Tilbury2 intends to services to Calais and Dunkirk million in upgrades to improve
600,000 units a year by 2020. build on a 152-acre site and will makes an interesting comparison. infrastructure at the Port of
The integrated ferry and include a new deep water jetty in Last year, Le Shuttle Freight Holyhead after recording a record
logistics company, which last the River Thames. carried a total of 1,637,280 trucks, year for freight growth. The
down 4,358 units on 2016, which upgrades will include the creation
compares to 2,601,162 freight of additional freight space at the
vehicles for the Port of Dover, up Port and extensive refurbishment
from a record 2,591,286 in 2016, to the Terminal 3 ramp.
giving the so-called ‘flexible link’
a market share of 61.37 per cent. P&O CRUISES • Following
The tunnel remains the market extensive research and guest
leader for passengers and cars, feedback, P&O Cruises
carrying 2,646,476 vehicles in 2017, announced that Aurora will return
a decrease of 17,389 cars, or one per from its March 2019 refit as an
cent on 2016. Despite a shrinking adult-only ship. From 8 April
tourist car market, Dover, served 2019 Aurora will join Arcadia and
by P&O with six vessels and DFDS Oriana as a ship exclusively for
with three ferries, saw its market adults, offering a different product.
 Norsky is one of the freight ships to use the current Tilbury terminal. share rise to 45.2 per cent. RP
www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 7

WATERFRONT news
SEAFOX 5 READY FOR NEXT GENERATION CHINA’S NEW
JACK-UP VESSEL
ICEBREAKER
Seafox 5 left the Damen
The self-propelled DP2 jack-up Verolme Rotterdam
NEWBUILD
rig Seafox 5 left Damen Verolme yard ready for her China’s Jiangnan Shipyard is to
Rotterdam (DVR) shipyard in next assignment in the deliver the new Chinese polar
offshore wind industry.
February after a four-month refit research vessel Xue Long 2 to
in which the boom of her main the Polar Research Institute of
crane was lengthened to prepare China next year, after which the
her for a new contract, along with ship will operate alongside the
a range of maintenance and other 8,759dwt icebreaking cargo and
upgrade works. Seafox 5 can now supply vessel Xue Long, built by
undertake offshore wind projects the Ukraine’s Kherson Shipyard
involving the next generation in 1993. Designed by Finland’s
of larger wind turbines in water Aker Arctic, the new research
depths of up to 65m. icebreaker will be capable of
Delivered in 2012, Seafox 5 is continuously breaking 1.5m thick
owned and operated by jack-up ice both ahead and astern. JS
specialist Seafox BV, the world´s
largest offshore jack-up ASV/
offshore support company. The
151m by 50m vessel is the largest
in the Seafox fleet and has a
1,200-tonne main crane, as well
as accommodation for up to 150
personnel. She arrived at DVR
 Due to be completed to Polar
in September 2017 to have the Class 3 standards, China’s Xue
main boom of her Liebherr crane Long 2 research vessel will be for
lengthened for new work. operations in Antarctica. AKER ARCTIC
OFF TO THE BREAKERS

Sewol, tragically lost in April 2014
OLD FERRY with South Korean school children
The South Korean ferry Ohamana on board. Laid up at Incheon
has been sold for breaking in following the collapse of owner
India after a plan by Niigata Chonghaejin Marine after the
International Shipping to operate incident, Ohamana was obtained
her between Niigata, Japan and at auction by another Korean
Vladivostok, Russia collapsed. company, Seo Dong Maritime,
Built in 1989 by Mitsubishi but sold to Niigata International
Heavy Industries as Ferry Shipping, which found the vessel
Akebono, the 6,322gt vessel was unsuited to its needs, resulting in
a running mate to the similar-sized her sale for demolition. JS
STINK BUGS ON BOARD

The brown marmorated and
VEHICLE CARRIER
yellow-spotted stink bugs pose
The car carrier Sepang Express a significant threat, as they eat
(2009/43,810gt) sailed from apples, kiwifruit, corn, tomatoes,
Auckland on 14 February cherries, wheat and maize.
(pictured) after being denied The three other vessels
permission to discharge by New recently found with these and
Zealand’s Ministry for Primary other pests are the car carriers
Industries (MPI) until a thorough Glovis Caravel, Courageous Ace
fumigation of her cargo. and Tokyo Car, which returned
She is the fourth vessel to Auckland on 20 February
recently found to be carrying after an at-sea fumigation. All
an infestation of stink bugs, a four vessels initially arrived in
noxious pest and a major threat Auckland from Japan, where the
to NZ’s agriculture industry. insects are a native species. TC  Indian shipbreakers have paid $315 per light displacement ton for the
former South Korean ferry Ohamana. JIM SHAW

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FERRY Russell Plummer
NEWS IN BRIEF
DANUBE ORDER • Now close
to completing the 277-passenger
Red Jet 7 for Red Funnel and
with a 21m day cruise vessel
for Jacobite Cruises to follow,
Wight Shipyard has secured its
first foreign order. This is for
a 250-passenger high-speed
catamaran for the Central Danube
Region Marketing & Development
Company’s Two Cites Line and
will join a service connecting
the capital cities of Vienna and
Bratislava. To be delivered in time
GOOD YEAR FOR SEATRUCK
for 2019 summer operations on a last few years and boosting sailings loading ramp installed at Heysham
route launched in 2006 which now
IRISH SEA to meet demand, Seatruck now to improve the company’s two
sees almost 150,000 passengers Freight specialist Seatruck operates 76 departures a week, services from the port.
a year, the 40m craft designed achieved 2017 volume increases with five sailings a day to Dublin The Seatruck line-up consists of
by Incat Crowther will be powered of more than ten per cent on during the busy midweek period. the 150-unit German-built quartet
by four Scania DI16 072M main the three Irish Sea routes from The future looks bright, as Seatruck Progress, Seatruck
engines, each producing 809kW Heysham to Warrenpoint, Seatruck believes the continued Power, Seatruck Performer and
at 2,300rpm, giving a service Heysham to Dublin and between and worsening HGV driver Seatruck Precision; the 120-
speed of 32.4 knots. Liverpool and Dublin, compared to shortage in Ireland and the UK will unit Seatruck Pace, Seatruck
overall Irish Sea services growth of provide further growth through its Panorama, Clipper Point (pictured)
VIKING LINE • The Baltic just under four per-cent. concentration on unaccompanied and Clipper; and 65-unit sisters
operator will not exercise an After adding tonnage during the freight, with a new £7 million Arrow and Clipper Ranger.
option for a second cruise ferry
from Xiamen Industries in China,
which is working on a €194 million CHANGES FOR WIGHTLINK WITH NEW SHIP
vessel ordered in July last year of Wight will be a hybrid vessel, investment, with new two-tier
that is due to join the 2013-built
SOLENT powered by batteries as well boarding ramps already in use at
Viking Grace on Turku-Åland- The summer debut of the £30 as low sulphur marine gas oil. Portsmouth and Fishbourne that
Stockholm route in 2020. Viking million Wightlink ferry Victoria of Environmentally-friendly features have made loading and unloading
Grace returned from overhaul on Wight will bring major changes to include the recycling of hot water of existing larger ferry St Clare
21 January after work to upgrade Portsmouth-Fishbourne services, from the engines to heat the faster and more efficient.
the large tax-free store with more with the present pattern of half- passenger areas and low energy Wightlink CEO Keith Greenfield
space for fashion products, wine hourly departures replaced by LED lighting throughout. The new said: ‘We considered using LNG,
and champagne. Viking also used hourly sailings each way. This will ship is part of a £45 million route as it is becoming popular with
the dry-docking period to modify tale advantage of the new vessel’s ferry companies in Scandinavia,
the 1988-built Amorella, with ability to carry 70 cars more per but there were issues in getting
cabins renewed and the Tapas & crossing than the route’s long- supplies of the fuel in Portsmouth.
Wine Bar becoming a Coffee & serving Saint class vessels. We have worked with engine
Wine Cafe offering coffees and Launched at the Cemre suppliers Wärtsilä to come up
tea and wines in the evening. Shipyard in Yalova, Turkey on 7 with this hybrid battery solution to
February (as pictured), Victoria improve fuel efficiency.’
FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEW
ALMARIYA • The return to service TUXEDO ROYALE • Ex-Sealink MESTRE SIMAO • The Azores
of the one-time Olau Hollandia turbine steamer Dover (1965/3,460gt), Government announced, in a joint
(1981/21479) did not last long. renamed Earl Siward in 1977, arrived press conference with operator
Trasmediterranea decided after two at the Able UK dock in Middlesbrough Atlanticoline, that the 748gt ro-pax
trips between Almeria and Nador to be broken up in January after lying ferry which grounded off the Isle
that the vessel was not able to run at derelict on the Tees for nine years. of Pico on 6 January in poor sea
normal cruising speed and sent her She was used from 1986 as restaurant/ conditions was a constructive total
MEGASTAR • The Turku-built to Gibraltar for repairs. This is despite bar Tuxedo Royale in Newcastle. loss. Insurance reports suggest
LNG-powered ferry, introduced on Almariya spending four months under a €9.2 million compensation
29 January 2017, carried over two repair following an engine room fire in for damages, an amount that is
million passengers during her first early September 2017. She had been almost the value of the 2013-built,
year on the Tallink shuttle between scheduled to replace other vessels 334-passenger and eight-car
Tallinn and Helsinki, the highest due for drydocking on services to ro-pax vessel. Moves to acquire a
number ever handled by a Baltic the Balearic Islands, but may struggle replacement of similar size to Mestre
Sea vessel in a single year. to return in time. Simao during 2019 are in progress.

news
JONATHAN SWIFT OFF TO SPAIN PEOPLE IN
HI-SPEED SWITCH
The 800-passenger/200-car Irish Ferries parent, the Irish THE NEWS
Jonathan Swift cost €38.8 million Continental Group, bought the
Irish Ferries are changing their and has been used year-round 37-knot top speed Westpac
CALMAC MD
Dublin-Holyhead route high-speed on the Irish Sea Central Corridor Express in 2016 while the vessel  The Board of David MacBrayne
vessel. The 8,403gt/101m former route, with two daily return was on long-term charter to Limited has appointed Robbie
Westpac Express, completed by crossings taking an hour and the US Navy Military Sealift Drummond, previously Interim
Austal in Western Australia during 49 minutes each way. Balearia, Command in the Pacific. Director of Service Delivery and
2001, will replace 1999-built 86m who have taken over Spanish After arriving in Ireland, the formerly Group Finance Director,
Austal Auto Express catamaran rival Trasmediterranea, are 800-passenger/200 car vessel as Interim Managing Director of Cal
Jonathan Swift, which has been reported to be paying around was taken to Harland and Wolff, Mac. He replaced Martin Dorchester,
sold to Spanish operator Balearia €15.5 million for the Caterpillar- Belfast for an extensive internal who stepped down to become the
for delivery by the end of April. engined vessel. refurbishment programme. CEO at Includem, the Scottish charity
supporting vulnerable young people
Jonathan Swift approaching
and their families. David McGibbon,
Holyhead after her crossing
from Dublin. chairman of David MacBrayne said:
‘We have a contract to deliver the
lifeline ferry services contract until
2024 and, while we face challenging
times, Robbie’s experience as Group
Finance Director and, more recently,
as Interim Director of Service Delivery,
will stand him in good stead.’
CAPTAIN JENNY
 Kent local Jenny Evans (pictured)
has become only the second woman
ever to captain a P&O Ferries ship
after being promoted to the rank
FRENCH OPERATOR’S CONTRACT of Master on Spirit of France. The

30-year-old, who joined P&O after
Guernsey-based Bachmann trial has become five years, and taking GCSEs, now has responsibility
CHANNEL ISLANDS said the tender process was we remain concerned that there for up to 200 crew members and 2,000
Both Brittany Ferries and the extremely tight, and after is only a very short time frame passengers who sail on the 47,592gt
Bachmann Group withdrew from consideration they could not available to prepare and launch ship between Dover and Calais.
the tendering process for a new see the service being a financial the new service.’
inter-island service backed by the success despite subsidies being The successful bidder, Manch Iles
governments of Guernsey and available. Condor Ferries were Express, already runs catamarans
Jersey. As a result, the contract, first approached last autumn, from the French ports of Carteret,
which was meant to start at but chief executive Paul Luxon Granville and Dielette to the Channel
the beginning of May and run confirmed they had dropped out Islands and will have the option
through to September this year, of the running, explaining: ‘The of providing an additional link to
has been awarded to French terms of the tender have also Alderney, with part funding available
operator Manche Iles Express. changed, as the original one-year from the States of Alderney.
ES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . ..
BALEARIA PAIR • The QUEEN MARY • Thanks to a DFDS REFITS • Dover-Calais route
Mediterranean’s first LNG-powered generous private benefactor, the vessels Côte des Dunes, Côte des
ferries, due for delivery to Spanish Friends of TS Queen Mary have been Flandres and Calais Seaways each
operator Balearia later in the year from able to bring in MacKay Boat Builders received new propeller blades
the prolific Visentini Yard at Donarda, for seven weeks of work on the former during ten-day February refits at the
Italy, are to be named Hypathia de turbine steamer, which returned Damen Dunkerque Shipyard which
FJORD1 • The municipality of Møre Alejandria and Marie Curie. The 185m to the Clyde in 2016. The 54 large match the trio’s service speed and
and Romsdal in Norway announced pair will carry 810 passengers with 126 promenade deck windows will be bring a significant reduction in fuel
in late January that Fjord1 has won a cabins offering 406 overnight berths, replaced by new toughened glass. consumption. Each vessel also had
contract to operate four of its ferry while there will be 2,180 lane metres its main engines overhauled. Earlier,
connections. Worth NOK1.884 billion plus a separate deck for 150 cars. Also Dover-Dunkirk trio Dunkerque
over 11 years, the various routes will building for Balearia at the La Naval Seaways, Delft Seaways and Dover
be covered by six vessels, including Yard near Bilbao, Spain is a 56,000gt Seaways went in turn to Damen to
five plug-in electric ferries to be built LNG-solar powered ro-pax vessel due have their nine-tonne main door
by Havyard Ship Technology, Larvik. for delivery during 2019. hinge arms replaced.

CRUISE William Mayes
BRIEF NEWS Deutschland will continue to carry German

passengers until at least 2025. WILLIAM MAYES
CORAL EXPEDITIONS • The
first steel cutting for the new
Coral Adventurer took place on
24 January at the Vard shipyard
in Vung Tau, Vietnam. The
completed ship will have an
estimated gross tonnage of 6,000
and will carry 120 passengers.
AIDA CRUISES • The first of the

pair of 180,000gt LNG-powered
ships on order with Meyer Werft
at Papenburg will be delivered
early, resulting in Aida Cruises
slotting in some short pre-
DEUTSCHLAND CHARTER EXTENDED
inaugural trips from Hamburg in Peter Deilmann Cruises, now has Absolute Nevada, which,
November 2018.
PHOENIX REISEN something of a split personality, incidentally, also owns the
To those who have travelled operating for Phoenix Reisen former Clipper Cruise Line ship
TUI CRUISES • The company’s on Deutschland under Phoenix in Europe in the summer and Yorktown Clipper.
Mein Schiff 3 (2014/99,526gt) was Reisen’s operation, the news that for Semester at Sea, as World Reports suggest Deutschland
the first major cruise ship to visit the seasonal summer charter Odyssey, on worldwide itineraries has been sold again, this time
Dominica after the devastation of arrangement had been extended for the remainder of the year. to the Greek company Delos
last year’s hurricanes, when she for a further five years, to 2025, Deutschland (1998/22,496gt) Cruise. Deutschland was the star
called at Roseau on 28 January. came as little surprise. The operated for Deilmann from of the German television series
540-passenger vessel, once the new, until that company ceased Traumschiff (like The Love Boat)
CARNIVAL • In conjunction with pride of the German passenger trading in 2015, and was then for many years while she was in
the refurbishment and reopening ship fleet when operating for acquired by US company operation for Deilmann.
of its Long Beach terminal,
Carnival Cruise Line will allocate
the new Carnival Panorama to
the port in 2019. This will be the FROM CHINA TO MIAMI A SECOND
first new Carnival ship in Southern
California for around 20 years.
NCL ORDERED the Caribbean on a seven-day
circuit from Miami when delivered
Carnival Panorama was the The last of the current quartet in October 2019. The third of the
ship originally ordered for P&O of ships being built for NCL by quartet, Norwegian Bliss, is close
SCENIC CRUISES
Australia, but her place will be Meyer Werft at Papenburg will to completion at Papenburg, with
taken by Carnival Splendor in 2019. be named Norwegian Encore. an April delivery.
Construction began with the first Norwegian Caribbean Line,
REGENT SEVEN SEAS • The steel cutting on 31 January. as it was, has come a long way
refurbishment of Seven Seas Although the ship was initially from the early ships, such as
Mariner in April sees the end of a earmarked for the Chinese market, Starward of 1968, still in service
$125 million upgrade programme NCL, along with other operators, with Cyprus-based Louis Cruises.
for the fleet. The work will be is slowing down its push into Interestingly, of the 33 ships built  Not many passenger ships are now
launched down the ways. ULJANIK SY
carried out at Chantier Naval de China, and the 4,000-passenger for the company, 30 are still in
Marseille over a period of 20 days. ship will instead be deployed in service in a variety of guises. Coinciding with the launch of
its first ocean-going cruise ship,
CRYSTAL CRUISES • The Scenic Cruises has announced
previously announced series of an order for a second identical
three 100,000gt 1,000-passenger ship. The 22,000gt Scenic Eclipse
ships has now been scaled back is described as the ‘world’s
to 800-passenger vessels that will first discovery yacht’ and was
be significantly smaller, probably launched, in the traditional way,
not much bigger than the existing at the Uljanik Shipyard in Pula,
69,000gt Crystal Serenity. The Croatia on 31 January.
48 Crystal Residences previously She is expected to enter
planned have been quietly service towards the end of the
dropped. The first of these so-called 2018 summer season with a series
Diamond class ships is expected of cruises in the Mediterranean.
to be delivered in 2022, four years The Polar class 6 ship will carry
later than originally planned. 228 passengers in 114 all-balcony
 Norwegian Bliss is now close to delivery. MEYER WERFT cabins and will have a crew of 176.

news
An artist’s impression of how Pacific Jewel will BACK IN
SERVICE
look later this year. CARTOON NETWORK
ETSTUR
After last year’s summer charter
of Louis Cruise Lines’ Louis Aura,
renamed as Aegean Queen, it
was expected that she would be
chartered again this year. In fact,
there were even unconfirmed
reports that Etstur, the Turkish
tour and cruise operator, wanted
A CHANGE OF COLOURS
to purchase the 50-year-old
vessel. However, the company
has chosen Clipper Group’s
Princess and in 2002 was Network Wave, but at this stage it Gemini, no stranger to the area
CARTOON NETWORK transferred within the P&O Princess is unclear what the arrangement after her two summers with
Turner Media’s Cartoon Network Group (by then independent of the is with P&O Australia in this latest Celestyal Cruises. More recently,
is proposing to launch a new P&O Steam Navigation Co) to Arosa phase of her career – sale, charter or Gemini (1992/19,093gt) was
cartoon-themed cruise product, Cruises of Germany, becoming joint venture. Cartoon Network has chartered to the US FEMA to
initially sailing from Singapore in A’Rosa Blu. She moved to group teamed up with cruise management accommodate hurricane relief
late 2018. The ship that seems to company Aida Cruises in 2004 and company Ocean Group for the new workers in the US Virgin Islands.
have been chosen is P&O Cruises three years later became Ocean operation, which will see the ship
Australia’s Pacific Jewel (1990/ Village Two for P&O Cruises’ attempt sailing in SE Asia and Australasia,
70,310gt), one of a pair of ships at a beach club style product. carrying up to 2,000 passengers.
that were under construction for When Ocean Village was being The refit in Singapore will
Sitmar Line when P&O bought wound down in 2009, she went to include the provision of a number
that company in 1988. P&O Australia as Pacific Jewel. of three-storey cabins, with the
She went straight into the For her new operation the upper and lower levels connected  Celestyal Nefeli, now Gemini, will
Princess Cruises fleet as Crown ship will be renamed Cartoon by an internal slide. be back in Greek waters this summer.
NUMBERS DOWN IN 2017

GREEK PORTS
were down from 5.2 to 4.6 million.
Both of those figures include
EDGING CLOSER
Celebrity Edge
Despite Greece being politically multiple calls, so passengers on being floated
stable and relatively inexpensive, a Greek Islands’ cruise could be out. STX
passenger numbers travelling counted five times.
through the country’s ports Piraeus fared well, with just a
and cruise ship calls were both small drop, but island destinations
substantially lower in 2017 saw a greater reduction. The
compared to the previous year. larger reduction in the number
This appears to be the knock-on of calls, compared with numbers
effect of the continuing avoidance of passengers, reflects the
of Turkish ports by all major cruise increasing size of ships. The island
lines. The overall number of cruise of Santorini is imposing new
calls was down from 4,300 to restrictions in an effort to reduce
3,400, and passenger numbers overcrowding in its small towns.
class ships will be the largest
CELEBRITY CRUISES
vessels in the Celebrity fleet,
Piraeus is still a busy The lead ship in the Edge series both in terms of gross tonnage
cruise port, despite of four vessels for Celebrity and passenger capacity.
the recent decline in
Cruises was floated out at the Celebrity Edge will operate
numbers. WILLIAM MAYES
STX shipyard at St Nazaire on 22 initially in the Caribbean, but will
January. Named Celebrity Edge, be in Europe for the summer of
she will have a gross tonnage 2019. The second ship, Celebrity
of around 129,000 when she Beyond, will be delivered in
enters service in October, about 2020. With strong demand in
a month earlier than previously the UK market, the company has
expected. With a passenger added three cruises to the 2019
capacity of 2,900, the Edge Southampton programme.

NAVAL Gary Davies
AIMING FOR NEW

STANDARDS
The Pre-Commissioning
Unit Michael Monsoor is
due to be commissioned
in January 2019. US NAVY
US NAVY
The US Navy’s Board of
Inspection and Survey completed land-attack to offensive surface surface missile capability and can considered an effective first line
acceptance trials of the second strike missions, with the Navy engage targets such as ballistic of defence against an increasing
Zumwalt class destroyer, Michael requesting almost US$90 million missiles at ranges of several threat from hypersonic and long-
Monsoor (DDG 1001), on 2 to convert the ships to operate hundred miles. range missile technology. The
February, ahead of planned the Maritime Strike variant of the The versatile Standard vessels’ Advanced Gun System,
delivery in March 2018. Tomahawk missile and long- Missile-6 system kills targets for which shells are not being
The high-tech ships are to have range SM-6 missiles. The latter by proximity fragmentation procured due to their high cost,
their primary role changed from has both an anti-air and anti- rather than by a direct hit, and is will be retained but not used.
HMS Ocean heads to Marchwood for

de-storing before paying off. MARITIME
LIGHTWEIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
vulnerable to attack from well-
PHOTOGRAPHIC ISRAELI NAVY equipped militant groups.
Construction of Israel’s next Each ship will be equipped with
generation of warship has begun the latest domestically produced
with a low-key steel-cutting self-defence weapon systems
ceremony at ThyssenKrupp and electronic equipment. These
Marine Systems’ (TKMS) shipyard include a MF-STAR multi-function
in Kiel on 7 February. The Israeli AESA fixed array radar, together
Ministry of Defence has ordered with a 32-cell Barak 8 surface-to-
four Sa’ar 6 corvettes, with a low air missile system, two C-DOME
radar signature design, based on naval point defence system
the German Navy K130 class and launchers with 40 missiles per ship
OCEAN’S TWENTY YEARS MEKO A100 platforms.
The new ships will guard
and two Typhoon 25mm remote
weapon stations. They will also be
that the ship has indeed been Israel’s lucrative natural gas armed with 16 anti-ship missiles
ROYAL NAVY sold to Brazil for further service. fields and shipping lanes in the and an Oto Melara Super Rapid
The amphibious helicopter Once stripped of classified and eastern Mediterranean, which are 76mm main gun.
and commando carrier HMS reusable equipment, such as the
Ocean made her final entry into three Phalanx CIWS (which may
Devonport under the White go onto the new carrier), Ocean The Sa’ar 6 are expected
Ensign on 9 February. After 20 will undergo maintenance by to enter service between
years of service, the ship flew a Babcock prior to a ‘hot transfer’ 2020 and 2022.
203m-long paying-off pennant and to the Brazilian Navy in June.
was escorted by water-spraying The demise of another
tugs into Plymouth Sound strategic naval asset was
ahead of her decommissioning overshadowed by her effective
ceremony on 27 March. successor, the aircraft carrier
Only once Ocean had paid HMS Queen Elizabeth, making
off from service did the Ministry her first overseas visit with a call
of Defence confirm speculation at Gibraltar on the same day.

news
Vulcano (A5335) is being built in
two sections at different shipyards
BRIEF NEWS
and is planned to enter service ROYAL NAVY • The First Sea
with the Italian Navy in 2019.
Lord has revealed that the
FINCANTIERI
replacement for HMSML Gleaner,
which decommissioned on 16
February, is to be named HMS
Magpie. The 18m twin-deck
catamaran is currently under
construction in Cork for delivery
in May 2018. The unusual choice
of name is a tribute to The Lord
High Admiral, The Duke of
Edinburgh, who commanded the
previous HMS Magpie at Malta
EUROPEAN ALLIANCE MK1

in the early 1950s.
ROYAL NAVY • HMS Albion

previously collaborated on the future. Naval Group and STX has deployed for the first time
FRENCH NAVY FREMM multi-mission frigate and France are currently examining in seven years since officially
The merger of European Horizon destroyer projects. the complexities of adapting returning to the fleet last year
shipbuilders Naval Group and The first result from any merger Fincantieri’s Logistic Support Ship after a £90 million refit. The
Fincantieri is set to be decided in is likely to fulfil the French Navy’s (LSS) design to Marine Nationale amphibious assault ship sailed
June 2018, when the proposed requirement for new under way specifications, in lieu of their own for the Mediterranean in early
alliance is presented to the French replenishment tankers to replace BRAVE (Bâtiment RAVitailleur February to become flagship
and Italian governments for the three remaining Durance d’Escadre) design. Construction of NATO’s Standing Maritime
final approval. The state-owned class. The French President of the first French LSS could Group 2. The UKs strategic
defence groups are no strangers has indicated that four ships start around 2020 at the STX amphibious capability is under
to joint enterprises, having are to be ordered in the near shipyard in St Nazaire. scrutiny, with the future of both
LPDs and the Royal Marines the
FRIGATES EUROPEAN ALLIANCE MK2 subject of an ongoing national

security capability review.
SELECTION BELGIAN NAVY

alongside more traditional towed
sonars, mine identification, and ROMANIAN NAVY • The
The Belgian government has remotely operated vehicles Romanian MoD has announced
US NAVY approved the procurement (ROV) to provide a variety of plans to invest €1.6 billion to
The US Navy has narrowed the of replacement Mine minesweeping options. Six modernise its navy as part of its
field down to five contenders to Countermeasures Vessels and a identical systems will also be NATO commitment to spend
meet its requirement for a new range of new semi-autonomous acquired for the Royal Netherlands two per cent of GDP on defence.
class of frigates. The stipulation for minehunting systems to supersede Navy, with deliveries expected Key among its goals is the re-
mature designs to meet the tight the Tripartite class fleets of both between 2021 and 2030. establishment of a submarine
production timeline has resulted Belgium and the Netherlands. The neighbours, who have a force, with ambitious plans to
in the award of ‘conceptual A budget of €1.1 billion has long-standing memorandum of produce three domestically
design phase’ contracts worth been set aside for the Belgian understanding for the Common built vessels. The navy has not
an initial US$15 million each to project for six ‘mother ships’ Procurement of Vessels, are also operated submarines since NMS
Austal USA, Lockheed Martin, and the introduction of a range planning to jointly purchase two Delfinul, a Kilo class acquired from
General Dynamics Bath Iron of unmanned surface (USV), new frigates each to replace their the USSR, was laid up in 1996 after
Works, Fincantieri Marine and tactical aerial drones (UAV) Karel Doorman (M class) frigates, expending her battery life.
Huntington Ingalls Industries. and underwater vehicles (UUV) with the Dutch leading the project.
This leaves only two of the four US NAVY • USS Blue Ridge (LCC
proposed European designs – Belgium is to replace its 19), the navy’s oldest operational
the Italian FREMM and Spanish Tripartite class and the warship, is close to returning
F-100 – in contention. They are command and logistical to service as the 7th Fleet
up against modified versions of support ship, Godetia, flagship following an extended
with six new MCM vessels. maintenance period at Yokosuka,
both Littoral Combat Ship variants
MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHIC
and a naval version of the USCG’s Japan. The two-year major
Legend class National Security overhaul included an upgrade
Cutter. This phase of proceedings to her state-of-the-art computer
runs until June 2019 and is systems and communications links
intended to inform so as to avoid which will extend the useful life of
the risk and cost failures that have the 47-year-old command, control,
impacted other recent projects, communications, computers, and
intelligence (C4I) support ship for
such as the Gerald R. Ford,
at least another 20 years.
Zumwalt and LCS programmes.

CARGO
DIGGING The 104,652dwt Ever Living, built in 2013, is to be followed
DEEP
into the Evergreen Marine fleet by 20 11,000TEU ships to
be delivered in 2020-21. EVERGREEN MARINE
CABLE LAYING
The 12,287dwt cable layer
Ndurance (2013) has been working
on the Aberdeen Offshore
Windfarm project during January
and February. The wind farm is
owned by the European Offshore
Wind Development Centre and is to
consist of 11 turbines, each of 8MW.
Assisting with the project is
Ndurance, which has a unique
beaching capacity. She is owned
by Royal Boskalis Westminster
NV and arrived at the windfarm
in January. She has been laying
cable to the shore landfall point
EVERGREEN TO ADD 20 SHIPS
at Blackdog. RC All of the 23-knot ships, which Four of the Samsung-built
COMPANY NEWS will measure 334m by 48.4m, vessels will be owned by
Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine are expected to be delivered Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong)
Corporation has ordered eight between the first quarter of and four by Evergreen subsidiary
11,000TEU container ships from 2020 and the second quarter of Greencompass Marine SA.
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy 2021. They will be of the twin- Established in 1968, Evergreen
Industries and has agreed to island configuration, to allow is currently ranked as the world’s
charter another 12 similar-sized better visibility as well as higher sixth largest container carrier,
 The Cypriot-flagged cable layer vessel’s from Japan’s Shoei Kisen container stacks on deck, and will and has a fleet of 194 vessels,
and dredger Ndurance arrives at Kaisha, the latter dozen to be built incorporate advanced ballast- which range from 1,038TEU to
Aberdeen on 9 February. DAVID DODDS by Imabari Shipbuilding. water treatment systems. 8,452TEU in capacity. JS
The tanker Ocana (1999), pictured in

Singapore, has recently been sold to
TROUBLED TANKERS
undisclosed breakers. SIMON SMITH of Guangzhou, China, has been
TANKERS taken to South Korea’s port
South Korea has been holding of Yeosu, while the smaller
two small tankers it says have 8,0098dwt Koti is being held at
been delivering fuel to North the Port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin.
Korean in a breach of United Thought to have received oil
Nations sanctions. from the two tankers are North
The 16,500dwt Hong Kong- Korea’s 3,003dwt Rye Song
registered Lighthouse Winmore, Gang 1, built by Sweden’s Kalmar
owned by Win More Shipping Fartygsreparationer in 1974, and
OFF FOR RECYCLING and managed by Lighthouse

Shipping Development, both
the 2,507dwt Sam Jong 2, built by
Germany’s Menzer Weft in 1975. JS
TANKERS & Shipping Co (STASCO) as

Ovatella between 2010 and
The demolition sales list this 2012 before returning to
year will be dominated by Frontline ownership as Front
tankers, with a number going Comanche. In early February
for scrap. Three Sinokor-owned Plata Sunrise (1999/302,193dwt)
Japanese-built VLCCs have was also bound for Alang. She
recently gone for breaking, all was completed as Oralia and
three previously having names later became Front Opalia.
associated with Shell Tankers. Also sold to breakers is Plata
Plata Glory (1999/300,133dwt) Pioneer (1999/300,133dwt),
was beached at Alang in a sistership of Plata Glory.
January. Completed as Stena She was launched as Stena
Comanche, she operated for Commerce and became Front
Shell International Trading Commerce in 2001. RC  Built in 2014, the 11,253gt tanker Lighthouse Winmore has been impounded
in South Korea after allegedly transferring oil to North Korea. SKCG

news
BP VISITOR
AET BUILDS UP ITS TO MILFORD
TANKER FLEET The 82,789gt shuttle tanker
TANKER
On 4 February Milford Haven
Eagle Barents is to be joined in welcomed the new BP Century
the expanding AET fleet by two class crude oil tanker British
LNG-burning shuttle tankers by Tradition (158,468dwt) to the
2020. CLEAN MARINE Valero terminal. The Century class
were named in commemoration
of BP Shipping’s 100-year history
in 2017. British Tradition is the
third vessel of the class, and
follows British Century and British
Heritage. She was completed by
the STX Shipyard at Goseong,
Korea in June 2017.
The Isle of Man-registered
vessel is a Suezmax tanker, the
largest able to navigate the Suez
Canal in a laden condition. The
by Samsung Heavy Industries, and positioning shuttle tankers to be Century class have also been
COMPANY NEWS the 157,512dwt Suezmax vessels delivered by Samsung in 2019 designed specifically to fit through
Malaysia’s AET Tanker Holdings, Eagle San Francisco and Eagle and 2020 will be dual-fuel ships the expanded Panama Canal.
formerly American Eagle Tankers, San Jose, which were finished by capable of burning LNG. British Tradition arrived at Milford
has taken delivery of a number Hyundai Heavy Industries. These vessels will operate Haven with a cargo of crude oil
of new tankers as it continues to All four make use of new on long-term charter to from Whiffen Head, Placentia Bay,
build up its fleet. The most recent scrubber technology and ballast Norway’s Statoil, alongside Newfoundland, Canada. This is
deliveries include the 113,400dwt water management systems to AET’s conventionally powered a transhipment tank area served
Aframax ships Eagle Barcelona meet environmental regulations, DP2-rated shuttle tankers Eagle by shuttle tankers from the
and Eagle Brisbane, completed but two 125,000dwt dynamic Bergen and Eagle Barents. JS Hibernian Platform. RC
FIRST ICE CLASS 1A

Sea, where she will be managed
LNG CARRIER operationally by Skangas.
Germany’s Neptun Werft has Equipped with a dual-fuel
delivered the 164m by 25m Coral engine, the ice-strengthened
EnergICE to Netherlands-based vessel will use LNG boil-off gas
Anthony Veder as the first LNG from her cargo as fuel for her main
carrier built to Finnish-Swedish and auxiliary engines and will be
Ice Class 1A Super standards. This capable of breaking through ice
will allow the 18,000m3 gas tanker up to 1m thick in temperatures as
to sail year-around in the Baltic low as -25o Celsius. JS
 The cargo vessel Scot Leader is to be joined in the Scotline fleet by a new
ship later this year as Scotline looks to enhance its fleet. COMPANY PHOTO
NEWBUILD FOR SCOTLINE

sailing draught of 5.68m. She will
CARGO VESSEL be powered by an MAK engine
In February Scotline LTD and sail under the British flag. The
announced the signing of a hull is expected to be launched
contract with Royal Bodewes in September, with delivery in
Group BV in Holland to build November. Scot Carrier will be
one 4,785dwt Bodewes Trader fully container-fitted, with Swedish
cargo vessel, with the option of a ice class 1B compliance, and will
second sister vessel. be built to meet all of the latest
The new ship, to be named legislation, including provisions
Scot Carrier, will measure 89.98m to be ready for a ballast water  Named at Turku, Finland earlier this year, the LNG tanker Coral EnergICE
by 15.2m and have a maximum treatment system. has been designed to operate in severe winter weather. TALLINKSILJA/SKANGAS

NEWBUILD Jim Shaw
U-MING TWINS The recently completed

Construction Support
Vessel (CSV) Acta
VLOCS Auriga features an
U-Ming Marine Transport of X-bow as well as an
X-stern. ULSTEIN
Singapore has ordered two
325,000dwt Very Large Ore
Carriers (VLOC) from China’s
Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding
Heavy Industry as part of a 25-
year contract signed with Vale
International SA of Switzerland.
The two vessels are to be finished
to an LNG-Ready configuration
and will be used to transport iron
ore from Brazil to China.
X-BOW FOR OFFSHORE WORK

Vessel (CSV) for operation in the and crane, the vessel’s first
CSV offshore wind energy industry. assignment will be a two-year
The X-Bow, developed by Measuring 93.4m by 18m, charter to Ocean Breeze Energy
Norway’s Ulstein, is being seen on the 3,200dwt ship features a GmbH of Germany to perform
a growing number of vessels, and 500m2 working deck aft and logistical support operations in the
 The 85,066dwt Cemtex Hunter,
completed in 2014, is to be joined one of the latest is Acta Marine’s accommodation forward for up 400MW Bard Offshore 1 wind farm
in the U-Ming fleet by two Cape-size new Acta Auriga, designed and to 120 persons. Outfitted with a in the North Sea, which has been
ore carriers. OSHIMA SHIPBUILDING built as a Construction Support motion-compensated gangway under construction since 2010.
A BIT OF EVERYTHING
speed of 16 knots and a service
HEAVYLIFT speed of 14 knots.
Germany’s TECHNOLOG Services The 139m by 21m ship would
GmbH, based in Hamburg, incorporate two box-shaped
has developed a design for cargo holds, strengthened
a 10,000dwt multi-purpose for heavy breakbulk and bulk
heavylift ship that would be stowage, with full container
capable of operating on LNG capacity on deck and in the holds
using an ultra-long stroke for 792TEU. Twin offset 80-tonne
LNG AND ROTOR SAILS

6,850kW main engine. The engine capacity deck cranes would
would be IMO tier III-compliant provide a combined lift of 160
and capable of providing a top tonnes, while total hold capacity
CARGO VESSEL Netherlands (MARIN) prior to
would be 3,200m3 bale.
a construction contract being
Holland’s C-Job has delivered a awarded, while the use of LNG will
design for a wind-assisted and be dependent upon bunkering
LNG-ready general cargo vessel facilities being available.
to Dutch company Switijnk C-Job had previously
Shipping. If built, the 8,500dwt developed the design for a
ship will be equipped with two smaller 4,500dwt ‘Flettner
Norsepower Rotor Sails that will Freighter’ using four Rotor Sails,
supplement the main engines to but after studying the prevailing
achieve fuel savings estimated wind patterns on Switijnk’s
at approximately 14 per cent. proposed sailing routes, the
These savings are to be choice of two larger Rotor Sails
validated by model testing at was made, which will yield the  A German-designed LNG-fuelled
Maritime Research Institute same propulsive force as four. multi-purpose vessel would make use of an optimised
hull design to handle heavylift as well as containerized cargoes. TECHNOLOG

news
NEW BOXSHIPS FOR COSCO BRIEF NEWS
USCG FAST RESPONSE CUTTER
• Louisiana-based Bollinger
Shipyards has delivered the 154ft
USCGC Richard Snyder to the
US Coast Guard as its 27th Fast
Response Cutter (FRC). The new
cutter will be based at Atlantic
Beach, North Carolina.
FOREMOST ORDERS FOUR •
The New York-based Foremost
Group, established in 1964 by the
China’s Cosco Shipping has family of current US Secretary of
been taking delivery of a large
Transportation Elaine Lan Chao,
number of new boxships from domestic builders
and will receive several more this year. COSCO has ordered four 210,000dwt bulk
carriers from China’s Shanghai
Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a
container ships being built followed by sistership Cosco wholly-owned subsidiary of
CONTAINER SHIP for company. The yard had Shipping Aries from the Nantong China CSSC Holding. The
China’s Hudong-Zhonghua previously delivered the similar- Cosco KHI Ship Engineering shipyard is currently building four
Shipbuilding, part of China sized Cosco Shipping Himalayas (NACKS) yard. These vessels, the 180,000dwt bulkers for the US-
State Shipbuilding Corporation, and Cosco Shipping Kilimanjaro. largest in the CSL fleet, measure based Group, while two smaller
has delivered the 366m by Also delivered to CSL has 400m by 58.6m and are to be 85,000dwt ships are being built
51.2m Cosco Shipping Alps been the 20,000TEU Cosco followed by another nine sisters by Japan’s Oshima Shipbuilding.
to compatriot operator Cosco Shipping Taurus, completed on order at the NACKS and
Shipping Lines (CSL) as the by the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shanghai Waigaoqiao yards, as STENA BULK 12-SHIP SERIES •
third of a series of 14,500TEU Shipbuilding yard in January, well as at Dalian SB Industry. China’s Guangzhou Shipbuilding
International has delivered the
50,000dwt chemical and product
LNG POWER SUPPLY VESSEL TEEKAY TO

tanker Stena Impero to Sweden’s
Stena Bulk as the last of 13
THE ARCTIC sisterships ordered in 2012. All of

the ships measure 183m by 32m
and feature 18 coated tanks of
LNG CARRIER 3,000m3 capacity each. On her
The ice-breaking LNG carrier maiden voyage, Stena Impero
Eduard Toll, built by South loaded a cargo of vegetable oils
Korea’s Daewoo SB&ME and in Asia, going to Europe via Suez.
owned by Teekay Shipping Corp,
completed her first unescorted LNG-FUELLED BULKER • H-Line
trip across the Northeast Passage Shipping, formed out of the
this winter on a voyage from former dry bulk businesses of
the builder’s yard to the Russian Hyundai Merchant Marine, plans
port of Sabetta, which serves to order an 80,000dwt LNG-
 America’s General Electric
and China’s Hudong-Zhonghua the Yamal LNG project. The fuelled bulk carrier later this year
Shipbuilding have teamed up to design a 97,000dwt ship is the fourth of 15 to take advantage of subsidies
Power Supply Vessel that would operate on LNG. GE Arc7 LNG carriers being built to being offered for LNG-powered
carry gas from Yamal and the first vessels by the South Korean
thrusters to allow her to move of six to be co-owned by Teekay government through its Ministry
SUPPLY VESSEL and be positioned independently, and China LNG. of Oceans and Fisheries.
The American Bureau of Shipping and will be equipped with three
has granted Approval in Principle sets of GE-furnished COmbined SECOND CROWLEY CON-
to China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Gas turbine, Electric and Steam RO • The VT Halter Marine
Shipbuilding for a new LNG Power (COGES) systems. yard at Pascagoula, Mississippi
Supply Vessel that integrates LNG Each system will feature has launched the 26,500dwt
receiver, storage, re-gasification, one GE LM2500+ gas turbine container/roll on-roll off (con-ro)
electric power generation and generator, one heat recovery ship Taíno for Crowley Maritime
transmission, with an LNG storage steam generator (HRSG) and one Corporation and expects to
tank volume of 32,000m3 and a steam turbine generator, which deliver the 22-knot vessel later this
 The gas tanker Eduard Toll is one
100MW power generating capacity. will allow the vessel to produce year. The newbuild will be able to
of 15 Arc7 LNG carriers being built
The 166m by 27.6m ship will clean energy in remote locations to carry gas from Russia’s Yamal LNG transport up to 2,400TEU.
be equipped with two azimuth at a relatively low cost. project in the Arctic. TEEKAY

NEWS FEATURE
REMEMBERING THE BATTLE O
THE ISLE OF MAY A CENTURY
Mark Winson examines the events surrounding the infamous ‘Battle of the Isle of May’
when, on the misty night of 31 January to 1 February 1918, five collisions occurred
between eight naval vessels, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 men.
T
he new Neart na Gaoithe permissions to build directly over submarines were severely generating 10,500shp, as well
wind farm off the coast of a World War I wreck site, which damaged, along with a surface as four 1,440hp electric motors,
Fife should be completed was established a century ago cruiser, despite neither the German and one Vickers diesel generator
sometime this year and, along following an infamous battle on Navy nor any other enemy vessels for charging the batteries. This
with others around the UK, help 31 January 1918. being involved. Although it took made them fast when surfaced,
to meet the UK’s power needs At the site lie two British place during World War I, it was with a speed of about 24 knots.
in the future. However, this submarines, which sank during an entirely accidental tragedy Part of their design remit was for
wind farm is unusual in that its the Battle of the Isle of May, an and not a ‘battle’. the boats to be able to keep up
construction was dependent on incident in which three other The submarines which sank with the surface fleet, but this
were members of the Royal idea was subsequently dropped.
Navy’s K class, commissioned However, submerged they could
by Admiral Lord Jack Fisher manage only eight knots.
in response to rumours The K class boats were fitted
that Germany was building with four torpedo tubes, two
submarines capable of surface mounted on either beam and
speeds of up to 22 knots. The K two, unusually, on the mid
class were meant to be capable superstructure, and carried eight
of rivalling the German boats, torpedoes. Very few were fired in
but proved so unreliable that anger, and only one ever found
six out of the 18 built sank, all its target, the German U-boat
accidentally, and without firing a 95, which was hit amidships. But
shot in anger. this then failed to go off, and the
The K class submarines, enemy dived quickly and escaped.
 Submarine K3, pictured at Weston-super-Mare, was laid down on 21 May designed in 1913, were nearly The process by which these
1915 by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness and commissioned on 4 August 1916. In 320ft long, with a displacement submarines prepared to dive
December 1916 K3, with the future King George VI aboard, uncontrollably of 1,980 tons on the surface and involved closing 16 different
dived, plunging to 150ft, with the stern and propellers above the waves. It
took 20 minutes to free the boat from the sea bed mud and get her back to
2,566 tons submerged. They hatches, extinguishing the boilers
the surface. SUPPLIED BY CAMPBELL MCCUTCHEON had Yarrow oil-fired boilers and then retracting their funnels,

news
LE OF
King George VI on board as astern of each other, 400 yards THE BATTLE
an observer. But it lost control apart, and display a blue stern
OUTCOME Total deaths 104,
and plunged to the bottom, light at half brilliance. This was
2 submarines sunk, 4 submarines
fortunately surfacing intact accompanied by black-out shields
URY AGO
damaged, 1 Scout cruiser damaged
after a panic to save itself and, that restricted the lights to one
LIVES LOST K4 with 55 dead, 17 with
fortunately, the monarch. compass point either side of the
47 dead, K14 with 2 dead
The boats each carried a boats’ centre line. They were also
SHIPS INVOLVED K4 sunk, K17
complement of 59, made up of told to maintain radio silence,
sunk, K6 damaged, K7 damaged,
six officers and 53 ratings, all as it was suspected a German
K6 commissioned in May 1917 K14 damaged, K22 damaged, HMS
of whom were needed when U boat was in the area.
and was the first of the K class Fearless damaged
diving. They took more than three However, events did not go
to have her bows raised. She WRECKS In 2011 surveyors conducting
was responsible for ramming minutes to dive, somewhat slow according to plan: as the first two
a detailed preparatory survey of the
K4 and slicing her in half even for the time, and were not submarines in the line changed sea floor for the Neart Na Gaoithe
during the ‘battle’. SUPPLIED BY well liked by their crews. The course to avoid a convoy of windfarm published sonar images of
CAMPBELL MCCUTCHEON Admiralty also considered the minesweepers, K14 turned late the wrecks of the two submarines, K4
submarines to be ‘self-contained and violently to avoid them. This and K17 sunk during the incident
environments’, and so ordered resulted in a jammed rudder that
the crew to stay on board at all had it sailing around in circles. his broadcast. This could have
times, even when in port. To make matters worse, just as made a difference and prevented
In December 1917 Vice Admiral K14 finally straightened up, K22 the loss of at least some of those
Beatty moved the 12th and 13th collided with it from behind. in the water, except that the
flotillas of K class submarines K22 might have escaped message was delayed, for some
from Scapa Flow to Rosyth, where serious damage if it had not been considerable length of time.
they would be better placed rammed by HMS Inflexible while Only in 2009 did the
strategically. It was from here adrift. The events proved so authorities finally place a plaque
that the Battle of the Isle of May disorientating to the rest of the of remembrance upon a cairn
started. The incident was of great fleet that, as some of the ships in Anstruther, the nearest town
embarrassment to the Navy, who turned to help, the cruiser HMS to the accident, on the Fife
did not release any details until Fearless rammed another of the coastline. This was all too late
1978, by when the last of the submarines, K17, which resulted for some who wanted to grieve
survivors had died. in its sinking within a few minutes. for loved ones. However, there
The infamous incident Oblivious to the carnage is now a list of those lost in this
involved more than 40 British around them, K6 and K7 then terrible accident (see www.naval.
warships undertaking an exercise collided with each other as history.net) and instructions
codenamed EC1. There were 26 another destroyer ploughed have been given to the windfarm
battleships from the 1st to 6th through the K17 wreckage, construction companies not to
covering them with a waterproof and 8th divisions, as well as nine leaving survivors in the water. disturb the wrecks.
lid. All of this took five minutes. cruisers, six light cruisers and a A total of 104 lives were lost, Jim Rae, secretary of
Once dived, the boats had a number of destroyers. They were including the entire crew of the Scottish branch of the
maximum dive depth of only joined by two flotillas of K class submarine K4 and all but eight of submariner’s association, said
200ft, less than their length, submarines. From the 12th flotilla those manning K17. of the accidents: ‘It was an
so when their bow was on the were K3, K4, K6 and K7, led by During the tragedy, Captain absolute bloody disaster from
surface their stern was already at Captain Little in the light cruiser Leir, of Ithuriel, sent a message the beginning. The K class
it maximum depth. The internal HMS Fearless; and from the to other shipping, in code, submarines did not have an
bulkheads were only designed to 13th were K11, K12, K14, K17 and warning them of what was impressive record. You can see
cope with 70ft of pressure. K22, led by Captain Leir in the happening. ‘I am proceeding, why those that served in them
During sea trials, K3 dived destroyer HMS Ithuriel. along with submarine flotilla 13, were known as belonging to the
as part of an exercise, with All vessels were ordered to sail to render assistance,’ he said in suicide club.’
 HMS Fearless was damaged in the collision during the incident; she was  K4 ashore at Barrow-in-Furness in 1917. She was laid down on 28 June
one of three Active class scout cruisers built just before World War I. 1915 and commissioned on 1 January 1917. SUPPLIED BY CAMPBELL MCCUTCHEON

NEWS FEATURE
OCEAN LINERS: SPEED AND STYLE
The French Lines transatlantic liner
Normandie in New York in the late
1930s. COLLECTION FRENCH LINES
 Empress of Britain Art Deco

poster for Canadian Pacific Railways.
Built by John Brown on Clydebank
and launched in 1930, Empress of
Britain was the fastest and most
luxurious ship of her time operating
between Britain and Canada.
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
 This wooden panel fragment

from the Titanic, on display in
Europe for the very first time, was
Paul Brown reviews an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert found floating on the surface of the
Atlantic after the ship broke in half
Museum in London looking at ocean liners and their history. as it sank. The largest remaining
piece of the ship, the panel
T
he Victoria and Albert ground-breaking engineering, Highlights include a panel decorated the over-door to the first
Museum, London is architecture and interiors to the fragment from Titanic’s first-class class lounge. MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE
ATLANTIC, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
re-imagining the golden fashion and lifestyle aboard. lounge, a stunning interior panel
age of ocean travel with a major The exhibition showcases over from the Smoking Room of the
new exhibition, Ocean Liners: 250 objects, including paintings, French liner Normandie, and
Speed & Style, sponsored sculpture and ship models, Stanley Spencer’s painting The
by Viking Cruises, which runs alongside objects from shipyards, Riveters from the 1941 series
until 10 June. The exhibition wall panels, furniture, fashion, Shipbuilding on the Clyde.
explores the design and cultural textiles, photographs, posters
impact of the ocean liner on an and film, and reunites objects not LUXURY LINERS
international scale, and looks at seen together since they were on Beginning with Brunel’s Great
all aspects of ship design, from board these spectacular vessels. Eastern of 1859, the exhibition
traces the design stories
behind some of the world’s
most luxurious liners, from the The exhibition considers the
Beaux-Arts interiors of Kronprinz sociology of ships and shifting
Wilhelm, Titanic and its sister class structures on board, as
ship, Olympic, to the floating Art well as the democratisation of
Deco palaces of Queen Mary and travel and the development
Normandie, and the streamlined of leisure activities in the 20th
modernism of SS United States century. It investigates the
and Queen Elizabeth 2. shrewd promotional strategies
It highlights political shifts used by shipping companies
and international rivalry over to reposition the onboard
100 years, with liners becoming experience, as emigration gave
floating showcases of national way to aspirational travel. The
ingenuity, and the exhibits throw phenomenon of the modern
light on some of the famous cruise liner is also explored,
passengers and great couturiers demonstrating how nostalgia for
who looked to ocean travel to the great ‘floating palaces’ of the
promote their designs. past is still evident today.
 White Star Line’s Titanic in dry dock, circa 1911. V&A MUSEUM/ GETTY IMAGES

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AIDAprima
With the 2018 cruise season starting in earnest, this cruises ships Amadea, Astor, MSC Preziosa as well
outstanding photograph shows the port of Hamburg as four AIDA ships – AIDAprima, AIDAvita, AIDAluna
with AIDAprima taking centrestage during the annual and AIDAsol – arrived at the Hamburg terminals.
port festival of May 2017, which was held to mark Hamburg promotes itself as a cruise centre and
the port’s 828th anniversary and attracted more than premier maritime destination, with 200 ship arrivals
a million visitors, making it the largest port festival bringing about 800,000 passengers during 2017.
in the world. Over the course of four days, the AIDA CRUISE/CHLIETZMANN
The Big Picture 2018 AIDAprima_NL.indd 26 06/03/2018 10:40

WWW.SHIPSMONTHLY.COM
The Big Picture 2018 AIDAprima_NL.indd 27 06/03/2018 10:40

Roy Fenton selects before and after shots of cargo ships sold from
WEST TO EAST
OXFORDSHIRE/SAFINA-E-ARAB LANDAURA/BELLE ETOILE
An early sale east was Bibby’s to an international refugee
four-masted Oxfordshire. The organisation. She was the last
twin-screw steamer had been of Bibby’s ships to retain the
built in 1912 by Harland & classic four-masted layout.
Wolff for her owner’s service In 1951 she was sold to
from Birkenhead to Rangoon, the newly formed Pan Islamic
with accommodation for 295 Steamship Co Ltd of Karachi
passengers in first class. She for use as a pilgrim ship
gave distinguished service between both East and West
as a hospital ship in both Pakistan and Jeddah. She was
world wars, carrying over renamed Safina-e-Arab (or
53,000 wounded in the first, ‘ship of the Arabs’), and her
the highest number of any accommodation was massively
hospital ship. increased to 101 first class, British India’s Landaura, largely in the Indian Ocean.
After World War II she 46 second class and 1,085 built by Barclay, Curle She was the new company’s
was converted back for third class passengers. She and Co Ltd in 1946, was first ship, and in 1970 her
passenger carrying, the first was broken up at Karachi in no stranger to the Indian ownership moved back west
photo showing her at Malta 1958. A. & J. PAVIA AND FLORENT VAN Ocean. A development of a when she became Agios
in 1949 when on charter OTTERDYK COLLECTION class built just before World Stylianos, owned by a single-
War II, she had no sisters. ship company registered in
As her photograph in the Panama, while she flew the
English Channel indicates, Greek flag.
she was mainly used on BI The London connection
services from the UK, usually continued, as her ultimate
running to East Africa and owners were Troodos
India, and often took out Shipping and Trading Ltd,
officers who were to serve on with an office in EC3. In
BI’s Indian services. 1972 the 26-year-old motor
In 1965 she was sold to the ship made her last eastbound
Mauritius Steam Navigation voyage when she was sent
Co Ltd of Port Louis, who out to Shanghai for breaking
gave her the fine name Belle up under the name Spyridon.
Etoile, retaining British India FOTOFLITE INCORPORATING SKYFOTOS
as her agents, and now trading AND MICHAEL LENNON
West to East_NL.indd 28 06/03/2018 11:13

CLASSIC CARGO
HONG ENG/PRINS CASIMIR

Compare the two photographs: the Singapore-owned Hong Eng
(above) has not just acquired a new identity since being built in 1955
as Prins Casimir, but she has also gained almost 50ft in length. Her first
owner was Antony Veder’s Oranje Lijn of Rotterdam, for whom she was
built to work largely on the Great Lakes, a trade which in 1955 involved
using relatively small locks. The St Lawrence Seaway opened in 1960,
which meant the region could handle larger ships, so Prins Casimir was
lengthened and given an extra hold and kingposts. Oranje Lijn sold
her in 1967 to Greek owners as Pacific Klif, who in turn sold her east
in 1974 to become Hong Eng, the ultimate owners being Ultimate
Shipping (Private) Ltd, who later renamed her Unison II. Under her
final name of Seree 2, she seems to have been broken up somewhere
in the east about 1987. AUTHOR’S COLLECTION AND SHIPS IN FOCUS
HOPEMOUNT/CORAL RIVER
Another ship whose appearance British-flag Shell fleet as Kelletia. Her several older vessels converted to ore traded to UK ports with ore for the
had changed is the ore carrier Coral move from independent ownership to carriers. Kelletia had been bought in British Iron and Steel Corporation.
River. She was built in 1929 by Swan, this oil major was unusual, as pre-war 1955 by the long-established, Hong Her photograph as Coral River
Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Ltd Shell had sold many of its tankers Kong-based Moller’s Ltd, who placed (above) was taken in August 1956,
at Newcastle for their shipowning to independent owners and then her under their Bermuda-based River probably on the Clyde, as she was
subsidiary, Hopemount Shipping Co chartered them back. Line Ltd operation as Coral River. running trials after conversion. She
Ltd, as the motor tanker Hopemount A slump in the tanker market in Despite associations with Hong did eventually move east, and after
(see SM, Mar). Surviving the war, no the mid-1950s, together with an Kong and Bermuda, she remained being laid up in Hong Kong for some
mean feat for a tanker, she joined the increase in demand for iron ore, saw registered in London, and indeed months was broken up there in 1965.

MICKIEWICZ/CHON JIN
It is probable that North Korea completed with a composite

could acquire Chon Jin in 1978 only rather than the split superstructure
because the ship’s previous owner, intended for these ships. She had
Poland, also had a communist spent no fewer than seven years
government. Chon Jin had already building, giving ample time for such
had an interesting life, having a change to be made.
been launched in October 1943 in In 1950 she became Mickiewicz
occupied Denmark for Hamburg as part of the fleet Polish Ocean
Amerika as Frankenland. Still Lines was building up at Gdynia.
incomplete at the end of the war, she Quite how long she remained in the
was bought in May 1946 by Lauritzen ownership of the government of
of Esbjerg who, after a spell of the Democratic Republic of North
indecision when they intended Korea is uncertain, as western
calling her Helga Dan, took delivery publications could not keep track of
of her from Burmeister & Wain as her. Lloyd’s Register deleted her in
Gladys Dan in September 1947. 1992, but she had probably ceased
Her hull is very similar to the trading years before this. AIRFOTO OF
German-designed Hansa ‘C’ type MALACCA AND AUTHOR’S COLLECTION/
standard ship, although she was SHIPS IN FOCUS AND J. & M. CLARKSON
HERTA MAERSK/LIH FONG

This is another former ageing tonnage, although the
Danish ship with a Germanic ship’s ultimate ownership was
pedigree. She too was ordered barely concealed by reversing
from Burmeister & Wain for Møller’s familiar funnel colours.
Hamburg-Amerika Linie to A string of far eastern
the medium-sized Hansa ‘B’ ownerships began in 1968,
standard design and was intended first for Hong Kong principals
to become Spitalertor. However, as Ping Chau and later as
she was not completed for Ocean Speway. In 1977 she
A. P. Møller as Herta Maersk took the identity shown in the
until 1948. In 1967 she was first photograph, Lih Fong,
transferred to the Brigantine ultimately being owned by NC
Transport Corporation Ltd of Sheng of Taipei, although she
Monrovia, a Møller subsidiary, as flew the Panama flag. She was
Clementine. The company was broken up at Kaohsiung in
an early European exponent of January 1983. WORLD SHIP SOCIETY
flags of convenience for their LTD AND ROGER SHERLOCK

CLASSIC CARGO
JERSEY DAWN/JALAGOVIND GLENOGLE/HARVEST
Although it had a considerable ships moving east and then back

merchant fleet, India did not offer west, at least in ownership terms. In
One of the best-known sales Another frequent recipient
much of a market for ageing British 1970 Scindia was sold to the Greek to the Far East involved of former European tonnage
tonnage, as its major companies were Haji Ioannou family, who owned the Glen Line’s superb 20-knot was the China-controlled
able to finance newbuildings. Scindia former Belle Etoile (see above), and Glenlyon class ships of outfit Yick Fung Shipping
Steam Navigation Co Ltd of Bombay who renamed Jalagovind as Stalo. 1962-63, made redundant and Trading Co Ltd.
could afford relatively modern Her last identity was as Thomas by containerisation well Harvest, as Glenogle had
second-hand tonnage and in 1956
bought Jersey Dawn from Morel Ltd
K, still Greek-owned, as which she before their time. Two of become, moved within a few
stranded east of Bahrain in August these ended up under the
and renamed her Jalagovind, which months to overt Chinese
1979 while reportedly en route
in the second photograph is seen for breakers in Pakistan. Soon
Chinese flag, the Fairfield- ownership under their own
anchored off Tilbury. refloated but damaged, she was built Glenogle (pictured) and flag as Yang Cheng.
She had been built only in 1953, by eventually towed to Kaohsiung Glenfalloch, the other pair Although she was
the well-known Sunderland tramp and broken up there in April 1980. under Singapore ownership. undoubtedly scrapped
builders William Pickersgill and Sons FOTOFLITE INCORPORATING SKYFOTOS Typical of sales to the somewhere in China, details
Ltd. She was another example of AND SHIPS IN FOCUS
People’s Republic in the of her fate are unknown,
1970s, Glenogle first went leading to some temporary
to a Hong Kong company excitement among proponents
controlled by China, possibly of preserving her as one of
because of reluctance to sell the last surviving ‘classic’
directly to the communist British cargo liners. It was
regime, but more likely a wonderful idea, but, as so
because the Hong Kong many similar attempts have
flag was then better shown, it is not so much
accepted worldwide than acquiring the ship that is
that of China. Sale was to difficult, but keeping up
Hemisphere Shipping Co interest and visitor numbers in
Ltd and the managers were what subsequently becomes an
the rather blandly-titled expensive floating museum.
Ocean Tramping Co Ltd. SHIPS IN FOCUS AND J. & M. CLARKSON
Acknowledgements • Photographs are from the author’s collection. Career

details are based on entries in the Starke/Schell Registers and other sources.

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SHIP OF THE MONTH
Pioneering Spirit is currently working in

the Black Sea, laying pipe for a gas line
from Russia to Turkey.
PIONEERING SPIRIT
Profile of the world’s biggest ship
T
Jim Shaw describes Pioneering Spirit, the he 403,342gt of Shell’s 24,000-tonne
largest ship in the world, designed and topsides removal/ Brent Delta platform in the
installation vessel North Sea in a single lift.
built for decommissioning oil platforms. Pioneering Spirit, The Brent topsides sat on a
owned by Allseas three-legged, gravity-based
Group SA, a Swiss-based structure in 140m of water
company which specialises in and, after being ‘clipped’ off
offshore pipeline installation its supports by Pioneering
and subsea construction, is Spirit, was transported to the
considered the world’s largest Able UK decommissioning
ship based on displacement, yard in Teesside, England for
beam and volume. In 2016 recycling and disposal.
the 1,253ft (382m) by 407ft To lift the heavy topsides,
(124m) vessel completed Pioneering Spirit used eight sets
her first job by lifting the of horizontal lifting beams, or
13,500-tonne topsides of ‘yokes’, mounted on her twin
the decommissioned Yme oil hull structures forward. These
platform in the North Sea. are motion-compensated, to
Last year the massive account for wind and wave
ship set a new lifting record action, and, once under the
 Pioneering Spirit in Rotterdam prior to entering service. with the successful removal topsides, allow the ship to
Pioneering Spirit SotM_NL.indd 33 06/03/2018 10:56

PIONEERING
SPIRIT

SHIP OF THE MONTH
The 382m by 124m Pioneering Spirit was built in South Korea by

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (2011–14) at a cost of
€2.6 billion, and commenced offshore operations in August 2016.
FLYING FOCUS

lift it while deballasting. The $3 billion to build, is said to lifting gear. This equipment supporting structures, or
decommissioning vessel can have originated nearly three was installed after Pioneering ‘jackets’, weighting up to
straddle a platform and remove decades ago around a plan Spirit was moved from South 25,000 tonnes.
its entire topsides, weighing by Allseas founder and CEO Korea to Rotterdam in early Supplementary machinery
up to 48,000 tonnes, in a Edward Hereema to employ 2015 following nearly four that can be installed,
single lift, representing a major two large tankers placed side years of hull and superstructure including a ‘stinger’, allows
cost-saving from traditional rig by side and used to dismantle construction. Pioneering Spirit to function
decommissioning, which involved oil platforms. Besides the eight sets of as a pipeline layer, with the
the structure being dismantled However, as the project horizontal lifting beams capability of handling pipe
piece by piece on location. developed it was decided positioned over her slotted diameters ranging from six
to have a custom-designed bow, the ship also received a to 68 inches at water depths
BACKGROUND vessel built in South Korea 5,000-tonne capacity crane exceeding 13,000ft using
The concept behind by Daewoo Shipbuilding and and a tilting beam system an S-lay system. Because of
Pioneering Spirit, which is Marine Engineering that could at the stern to give her the this capability, the ship was
rumoured to have cost nearly be fitted with the required capacity to remove topsides contracted during the summer

SHIP OF THE MONTH
Pioneering Spirit heading to port
with a decommissioned platform.
FLYING FOCUS
 Pioneering Spirit lifting the Delta and S-92 helicopters for categories, Allseas is planning
topsides platform. crew transfers. When fitted to build an even larger ship,
with a ‘stinger’ forward for which will be capable of lifting
 Sequence of photographs
pipelaying work, the ship’s topsides of up to 72,000
showing Pioneering Spirit moving
in on the Delta platform to perform
overall length is increased to tonnes and which could be in
a lift of the topside (left), moving 477m (1,565ft), and she has service by 2023.
out from the platform (centre), and a capacity for carrying nearly
recovering the Iron Lady platform. 27,000 tonnes of pipe. PIONEERING SPIRIT
To store the ‘stinger’
BUILT 2011-14, Daewoo Shipbuilding
of 2017 by Nord Stream 2 Spirit is fitted with eight MAN when not in use, Allseas & Marine Engineering, South Korea
AG, the developer of the Nord diesel generator sets, each of has a purpose-built barge TONNAGE 403,342gt
Stream 2 natural gas pipeline 11,200kW output, for a total called Bumblebee available DISPLACEMENT 365,000 tonnes
being built under the Baltic installed power of 95MW. that can hold the machinery (transit), 932,000 (maximum), 1,000,000
Sea, to lay large-diameter pipe These drive a dozen 6,050kW until needed. In addition, (at maximum draught)
at the start of this year. When Rolls-Royce azimuthing a second barge, Iron Lady, DIMENSIONS 382m x 124m x 30m
completed, the 1,200km thrusters to give a maximum is maintained by Allseas to INSTALLED POWER 8 x MAN diesel
pipeline, to be one of the speed of 14 knots and a dynamic transport jackets and topsides generator sets (each 11,200kW)
world’s longest offshore positioning rating of DP3. from Pioneering Spirit to PROPULSION 12 x Rolls-Royce diesel-
natural gas lines, will be used Depending upon her work quaysides when the water electric azimuth thrusters (each 6,050kW)
to supply Russian produced assignment, the vessel can depth is insufficient for the SPEED 14 knots
LNG to the European Union. accommodate up to 571 larger vessel’s draught of 27m. CAPACITY 48,000 tonne topsides lift,
For propulsion, position- people in two-berth cabins, Although Pioneering Spirit 25,000-tonne jacket lift, 2,000-tonne
keeping and power and the ship has a Helideck is currently ranked as ‘world’s pipelay tensioner capacity
requirements, Pioneering suitable for Sikorsky S-61 largest’ in a number of CREW Accommodation for 571

An important Allied naval port and submarine base
MOSAIC
during World War II, Fremantle later welcomed
thousands of immigrants to Western Australia. Now
it is the region’s largest port, handling container and
bulk cargo ships, as well as cruise ships and vehicle
carriers, as Kevin Mitchell’s photos from 2016 show.
 The Maltese-flagged CMA CGM

Chopin (2004/65,730gt) alongside North
Quay at Fremantle Port. The port has two
modern container terminals within the
Inner Harbour, one operated by DP World
offering three berths totalling 526m, and
four berths operated by Patrick of 726m.
During 2014-15 511 container ships called
at Fremantle, bringing 92 per cent of
Western Australia’s container trade.
 The Australian-built Svitzer port

tug Wambiri (1986/470gt) assists the
open livestock carrier Al Messilah
(1980/38,988gt) onto her Fremantle berth.
The export of millions of live sheep, goats
and cattle from Australia every year is a
controversial trade that has been met with
protests calling for a ban. The Kuwait-
registered Al Messilah, originally built as a
car carrier, can transport 80,000 sheep.
Mosaic Freemantle_NL.indd 38 06/03/2018 10:53

READERS’ ARCHIVE
 The 34.75m 329-passenger ferry The small cruise ship Astor (1987/20,704) is
Eagle Express connects Fremantle a regular caller at Fremantle, seen inward
with Rottnest Island and is one of bound to the Passenger Terminal on the
three high-speed craft operated evening of 9 March 2016 on a turnaround
by Rottnest Express. These ferries cruise for Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
depart from O’Connor Landing, Located at Victoria Quay, the Passenger
named after the Irish engineer Terminal opened in 1960 following increased
Charles Yelverton O’Connor, who demand from immigrants arriving in
created an artificial harbour at Western Australia. German-built, Astor
the mouth of the Swan River in sailed as Fedor Dostoyevskiy for the Black
the 1890s which today forms the Sea Shipping Co, but since 2013 she has
modern port of Fremantle. operated for CMV. 
 Celebrity Solstice (2008/121,878gt) towers above the Fremantle

Passenger Terminal. The 2015 cruise season was the port’s busiest,
with 117,565 passengers visiting on board 43 cruise ship visits,
of which 34 were turnaround calls. The 315m Celebrity Solstice
is lead ship of the Solstice class operated by Celebrity Cruises
and was delivered by Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany.
 Fremantle Pilots’ newest vessel Berkeley entered service in

2016. The 18.5m all-weather pilot boat was built by Western
Australian aluminium boat builders Fine Entry Marine and has a
top speed of 33 knots.
Mosaic Freemantle_NL.indd 39 06/03/2018 10:53

Pasteur during her post-war
trooping days.
The varied career under four flags of
SS PASTEUR
Two decades after her completion, the French liner Pasteur sailed on her
maiden commercial voyage, but instead of flying the red, white and blue French
tricolour she carried the black, red and gold tricolour of West Germany on her
ensign staff. Stephen Payne recalls the story of an unusual ship.
T
he loss through Glasgow, Inverclyde but only smaller than L’Atlantique, at in August the following year.
fire of the after lengthy negotiations with 29,253grt, and was ordered Passenger accommodation was
prestigious her insurers were concluded, in 1936 from Chantiers et provided for 287 First class,
40,945grt French which led to Sud-Atlantique Ateliers, St Nazaire, France, 126 Second and 338 Third,
liner L’Atlantique being paid US$6.8 million. being assigned the contract making a modest 751 in total.
on 3 January 1933, after The Line contemplated designation R8. Pasteur was scheduled to
only two years of service, left their next move, but were The ship was launched as sail on her maiden voyage
Compagnie De Navigation mindful of increasing Pasteur on 15 February 1938 from Bordeaux to Lisbon,
Sud-Atlantique without a international competition on by Madame Pasteur Vallery- Rio de Janeiro, Santos,
flagship for their service from the South American route Radot. The completion of the Montevideo and Buenos Aires
Bordeaux to Buenos Aires. In and the escalating costs of ship was delayed by a small on 14 September 1939, but
1936 the burnt-out hulk of shipbuilding. Accordingly, scaffolding fire in March 1938 the outbreak of World War
L’Atlantique was scrapped by a new ship was designed during fitting-out, but she II forced her into immediate
Smith and Houston at Port that would be somewhat was delivered to her owners lay-up at Brest following
Pasteur_NL.indd 40 06/03/2018 11:33

CLASSIC LINER
Pasteur as a troopship.
completion. Pasteur’s Cunard-White Star, serving Croix de Guerre by the French reconstruct and refit the ship
passenger accommodation throughout the war as a government. for transatlantic service at a
was extremely elegant, if not troop transport for the Allies, On 25 January 1957 cost of over DM65 million
on quite the same lavish scale with Cunard’s Captain Eric she was laid up at Brest at (£5.5 million).
as that on L’Atlantique. She Ashton-Irvine in command. the conclusion of her last The first stage of the work
presented an unusual profile, Her travels took her to military voyage. At this time was undertaken during three
having lifeboats split between numerous theatres of the war consideration was given to months from September 1957
two levels and one enormous and she visited Singapore, placing the ship in transatlantic at the port of Bremerhaven,
canted funnel. Many disliked Freetown, Durban and Aden, service with the French Line where the ship was stripped
Pasteur’s looks, but she among other places. as a replacement for Île de of her trooping facilities and
certainly projected a unique France, which was slated for much equipment, including
and powerful persona. With TROOPING FOR FRANCE withdrawal in 1958. However, her two masts and the external
France having been invaded In June 1945 Pasteur was as the new France was already funnel casing. On 8 January
by German forces on 10 May returned to the French under construction, with 1958 she was towed up the
1940, Pasteur sailed from registry and thereafter sailed completion due in early 1962, River Weser to the shipyard for
Brest on 2 June 1940 on a fast in the service of France as a the idea was abandoned. the refit, which was scheduled
one-way passage bound for peacetime troopship, destined In September 1957 North to take 500 days, with up to
Halifax with 300 tons of the never to sail for her original German Lloyd purchased 2,500 technicians working day
French gold reserves. owners in commercial service. Pasteur for DM30 million and night on the project.
That August she was Trooping voyages took her (£2.5 million), renamed To improve the ship’s
requisitioned by the British to Dakar, Algeria and Indo- her Bremen, and contracted efficiency, her eight original
Ministry of War Transport China, and, in recognition of the German shipyard of boilers were removed and
and placed under the British her extended trooping service Bremer Vulkan at Bremen- replaced by four new La
flag and the management of in 1956, she was awarded the Vegesack to comprehensively Mont boilers, each weighing
Pasteur arriving at the Bremer-Vulkan Shipyard,

having been partially stripped before her refit.
Pasteur_NL.indd 41 06/03/2018 11:33

ON BOARD BREMEN (1959)
F
ollowing her refit and class cabins forward, a block of
conversion into Bremen in interchangeable First/Tourist cabins
1959, the ship’s decks from midships and aft on the portside,
top to bottom were Sun Deck, with Engineering Officer cabins
Sports Deck, Veranda Deck, Upper on the starboard side aft, and the
Deck, Promenade Deck, followed by Engineers’ Mess was inboard.
A-G Decks. First class sports decks A First class open promenade
were provided forward on Sun and ran below the aft lifeboats on the
midships on Sports Deck, while portside; the corresponding starboard  The indoor swimming pool.  The Tourist Class Veranda Lounge.
Tourist sports was accommodated side was allocated as open deck
aft on Sports Deck. The bridge and space for the engineering officers, Room was the last public space cabins was located aft of this and the
senior officer quarters were located while Tourist class were allocated located within the confines of the Tourist Children’s Playroom and an
at the forward end of Sports Deck, the aft open deck. Promenade Deck enclosed promenade; beyond that outside paddling pool.
where three lifeboats were arranged started with the forecastle forward were the Tourist Library (portside), B and C Decks were mostly for
outboard on each side. with the anchor windlasses and Card Room (starboard) and a 165-seat Tourist passenger cabins, while most
The principal First class public mooring winches, two hatches and a Veranda Lounge, which was built of the crew were accommodated on
rooms were at the forward end pair of kingposts, giving a total of four around No.3 hold trunk at its aft end. D Deck, along with their mess rooms.
of Veranda Deck between two derricks of three tons lifting capacity. Two kingposts were mounted A Tavern Bar was located forward
outboard enclosed promenades. The first enclosed space was a near the aft end of the deck, which on E Deck, an enclosed pool on F
Forward was a circular 141-seat Main block accommodating the photo- was open at the sides and aft end. Deck and sauna rooms on the tank
Lounge leading to a Writing Room to lab and two crew cabins. Beyond One three-ton capacity derrick was top on G Deck, facilities which were
port and a Card room to starboard. this was a wraparound enclosed attached to each kingpost. Tourist available to both passenger classes.
These two rooms flanked the boiler promenade, with most of the public Class cabins were arranged forward The standard of accommodation
casing. Beyond the main First class rooms inboard. To forward was a on A Deck to just beyond the funnel for both passenger classes and
stairway and Foyer was the First class 274-seat cinema/theatre used by casing. Beyond this was the First the crew was particularly high. The
Smoking Room, which incorporated both classes, and then the Tourist class Dining Room on the starboard modest number of 151 First class
a large bar on the starboard side. Class Writing Rooms (2), 218-seat side, along with three auxiliary passengers (with an additional 65
The remainder of the deck Main Lounge, and a quiet 65-seat dining rooms. The passenger galleys beds optional between First and
comprised First class cabins and, at Ladies’ Saloon, which flanked the were ranged on the portside, while Tourist) enjoyed spacious public
the extreme aft, a Tourist class open turbine casing to port. A Shopping the 416-seat Tourist Dining Room rooms and ample open deck space,
deck, while eight more lifeboats Arcade was located on the extended the full width of the while Tourist class were provided
were outboard of the cabins. Upper corresponding starboard side. ship, with a forward extension to with public spaces of equal measure
Deck was arranged with First The 110-seat Tourist class Smoking starboard. A small block of Tourist but with somewhat denser seating
 The Tourist Class Main Lounge.  The First Class Smoking Room.  The Tourist Class Smoking Room.  Tourist class Enclosed Promenade.
Bremen at the Bremer Vulcan shipyard during her refit in 1959.  Bremen at the shipyard as her refit nears completion.
Pasteur_NL.indd 42 06/03/2018 11:33

CLASSIC LINER
 Bremen preparing to leave
Bremer Vulcan. During the extensive
refit, the steelwork was renewed
or repaired as necessary, and new
aluminium superstructures and decks
were added throughout.
 First class two-berth cabin.
 Bremen in the River Weser as

arrangements. 80 per cent of
she leaves the shipyard following
the cabin accommodation was her conversion in 1959, being
provided with two berths, with the watched by hundreds of well-
upper berth being a Pullman bed; wishers. She certainly looked like a
13.5 per cent were three-berth and national flagship with her black hull,
6.4 per cent were four-berth cabins. white superstructure and masts,
and mustard funnel and forward
First Class cabins were fitted
kingposts.
with telephones which could be
connected to the radio office for
ship to shore communications.
Plastics were used extensively
throughout the redecoration, the
bulkhead and deckhead linings
being coated, while the majority of
the carpets and some of the chairs
were made of the material, while
curtains were made of nylon. Even
the bath and shower rooms utilised
plastic tiles for the floors and walls.
 Four-berth Tourist class Cabin.
105 tons, with increased The increase in electrical Watertight sub-division Bremen, now measured at
steam pressure, increased power was predominantly and fire-proofing were all 32,336grt, left the shipyard
superheating temperature required to run the enhanced to meet the latest on 23 May 1959 and her
and greater steam-raising compressors for the new air- safety requirements. All deck maiden voyage to New York
capacity. The original four conditioning plant that was coverings internally and for North German Lloyd
shaftlines were retained, but installed throughout the ship. externally were replaced, departed Bremerhaven on 9
new turbines were installed For roll reduction and greater as were all pipes and ducts. July 1959. Thereafter, she was
to take advantage of the new passenger comfort, a pair of As redelivered, the ship still predominantly deployed on
boiler steam delivery. To Denny Brown gyroscopically exhibited a powerful persona, the transatlantic run between
cater for increased electrical controlled stabilisers were but was now more balanced Bremerhaven, Southampton,
consumption, three new turbo- installed aft of the boiler and refined. She had a non- Cherbourg and New York,
alternators rated at 13,75kVA room, while 14 new lifeboats insulated hold capacity of initially being paired with
were installed, supplying a/c were installed, ten seating 146 127,080ft3 spread between the smaller 18,600grt North
power to augment the existing persons with hand propulsion, two forward and one aft hold. German Lloyd motor ship
3,300KW d/c installation. two for 146 persons with Nine lifts were installed on Berlin until that ship was
During the refit 150 miles of diesel drive, and two for 44 board, six for passengers and scrapped in November 1966,
electrical cabling was installed. persons with diesel drive. three for stores and cars. and latterly the 21,514grt
Pasteur_NL.indd 43 06/03/2018 11:34

the ship up for sale.
PASTEUR 1939/BREMEN 1959 In October 1971 Chandris
PASTEUR (1939) BREMEN (1959) Cruises agreed to purchase
GROSS TONNAGE 29,253 32,336 Bremen for DM40 million
(£4.8 million), with the
DIMENSIONS 696ft 10in x 88ft 2in x 31ft 6in 696ft 10in x 88ft 2in x 30ft 7in
ship continuing in Hapag’s
DEADWEIGHT 9,730 tons 9,689tons transatlantic service in the
POWER 62,000shp 60,000shp interim, her last departure
SERVICE SPEED 23.5 knots 23 knots from New York being on
14 December with 770
PASSENGERS First 287, Second 126, First 151, Interchangeable 65,
Third 338 = total 751 Tourist 906 = total 1,122
passengers, arriving in
Bremerhaven on 22 December.
CREW 519 544
The ship was formally
ON BOARD 1,270 1,666 decommissioned by Hapag-
Lloyd on 12 January 1972
Europa. In the off season America Line merged to with a flag-lowering ceremony
she regularly cruised to the form Hapag-Lloyd AG on 1 while she was berthed
West Indies from New York, September 1970. During the alongside the Columbus Quay
where her air-conditioning early part of the following at Bremerhaven following
and elegant, spacious interiors year it was evident that a farewell cruise to Madeira
made her a firm favourite. Bremen would soon require and Dakar which departed
During the winter of 1965- a major technical refit if she Bremerhaven on 27 December.
66 Bremen was overhauled at was to remain in service, as A week later, on 19 January,
Bremerhaven. Her original her machinery was giving Chandris took possession of
narrow forefoot was replaced with repeated problems, frequently the ship and she sailed for the
a modest prefabricated bulbous disrupting her schedule. Ambelaki Shipyard in Greece
bow, which was designed to under the name Regina Magna
reduce her fuel consumption SALE TO CHANDRIS on 21 January for a major refit.
at her service speed. Operating Given trading conditions in She emerged painted
conditions were becoming 1971 and the high operating white as a one-class ship and
more difficult, with increasing costs of the ship, coupled sailed for Tilbury, London,
costs and the run-down of with the belief that the ship’s ostensibly to undertake her
transatlantic trade as passengers two-class configuration, with first cruise on 26 May 1972
switched to the airlines. many non-facility cabins, was bound for Scandinavia and
In an effort to realise not particularly suitable for the Baltic ports. However,
economies of scale, North modern-day cruising, led she broke down and had
German Lloyd and Hamburg Hapag-Lloyd decided to put to return to Piraeus under
 Bremen at Southampton with the

tug Ventnora. CAMPBELL MCCUTCHEON
Pasteur_NL.indd 44 06/03/2018 11:34

CLASSIC LINER
tow for repairs, necessitating After three years the ship 1978 and accommodated  Bremen and Berlin passing each
the cancellation of her early was offered for sale and 3,500 Philippine construction other at New York as Bremen makes
her maiden arrival at the port.
cruises. Repaired, Regina she was purchased by the workers. Early in 1980, with CAMPBELL MCCUTCHEON
Magna slotted into her 1972 Philippine Singapore Ports the construction project
schedule with summer cruises Corporation to be used as an completed, the ship was again
from Amsterdam and Genoa, accommodation ship. offered for sale and she was
and winter cruises to the Accordingly, on 6 October now purchased by Taiwan the stern. She ultimately sank,
Caribbean from San Juan. 1977 she was towed from shipbreakers. stern-first, her bow rearing
She returned to Europe in Eleusis to the Red Sea On 6 June 1980, while she spectacularly up out of the
the summer of 1973, but the port of Jeddah, where she was under tow in the Indian water as the stern slipped
effects of the oil crisis and fuel arrived on 1 November. Ocean, the ship began to beneath the waves. In the
prices quadrupling quickly led Initially renamed Saudi Phil take on water and developed course of her career she sailed
to her being laid up in Greece 1, she subsequently became a severe list to port, while for 41 years under four names
after her Scandinavian season Filipinas Saudi 1 in March trimming more and more by and six countries’ flags.
ended in September 1973,
and her subsequent Caribbean Regina Magna, a one-class ship
season cruises was cancelled. for 1,100 passengers.
The ship was reactivated
and briefly returned to service
from April 1974, but on 17
October 1974 she was laid
up in Eleusis Bay and never
sailed again with Chandris.
She was simply too expensive
to operate, and there were
the persistent and recurring
engine problems, which had
plagued her since 1971.
Pasteur_NL.indd 45 06/03/2018 11:34

The 1999-built ro-pax Commodore
Clipper; she is very similar to the
Isle of Man Steam Packet Co’s
12,504gt Ben-My-Chree.
COMMODORE
marks 70 years of service
Commodore Shipping reached a major milestone in 2017 as the company
celebrated seven decades of providing lifeline freight services from the UK
to the Channel Islands, as Russell Plummer describes.
C
ommodore Commodore later in the
Shipping, season. Their complete fleet of
which marked Fairmile launches was White
70 years of Commodore (ex-ML445),
service in 2017, Silver Commodore (ex-
began operations in 1947 as RML499), Fleet Commodore
Commodore Cruises when (ex-RML534), Red
a number of ex-Royal Navy Commodore (ex-RML537)
Fairmile ‘B’ craft were used and Gray Commodore. As the
on excursions from South-east company expanded services to
England resorts. In September the UK, by 1950 they started
1947 Red Commodore arrived to carry passengers to the
in St Peter Port harbour, Channel Islands.
Guernsey on charter to a In 1950 the first cargo
Guernsey operator who ran to vessel, Island Commodore (1),
Sark and Alderney. joined the fleet, being licensed
The following year, to carry 144 passengers on
Commodore employed inter-island routes. Island
Red Commodore and Commodore ran year-round
another Fairmile craft, Silver from St Peter Port, Guernsey
Commodore, on similar to Sark three times a week,
 Island Commodore was the company’s first cargo vessel. routes, being joined by White and twice to Alderney.
Commodore 70_NL new.indd 46 07/03/2018 09:23

COMPANY PROFILE
Ownership of Commodore Norman Commodore (2) and

passed to Mansfield Markham Island Commodore (2), were
in 1960, and a larger vessel, delivered in 1971. A third
Commodore Queen, was ship, Commodore Trader,
acquired. The intention was joined soon afterwards.
to run her to France, but Commodore operated
she lacked the speed to be Pride of Portsmouth, which
successful on such services. was managed by Sealink,
In 1962 the Alderney Tramp during the late 1980s,
Shipping Company was and when she was given
acquired, along with their Commodore livery she was
vessel Orselina. She was renamed Norman Commodore
soon joined by the chartered (2) in 1993. She had been
coaster Allen Commodore, joined by Juniper in August
 One of a number of ex-Royal Navy Fairmile ‘B’ craft, Red Commodore which was used on a cross- 1990, at which point all
was used on Guernsey services to Sark and Alderney in 1948 and 1949.
Channel cargo service to traffic was transferred to the
Portsmouth. Norman ro-ro services.
Commodore (1) joined the With tonnage available
fleet and operated a service to for charter lacking speed and
Shoreham, while Orselina was also slow to be turned round,
used to St Malo. Commodore ordered a pair
The company gradually of 11,166gt stern-loading
expanded its operations ro-ros from the Royal Schelde
during the subsequent Yard at Vlissingen in Holland.
decades, with developments Island Commodore was
including the move from pure delivered in June 1995 before
cargo vessels to container sister Commodore Goodwill
and roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) followed in 1996. They
ships, while shoreside facilities were registered in Nassau,
 The 1,285gt cargo vessel Norman Commodore was built in 1971 and also expanded. The Albert were powered by twin six-
served as such until April 1991, when she became Celtic Venture. Johnson Quay opened in cylinder MAK diesel engines
Portsmouth in 1968, allowing delivering 8,600kW for a
Shoreham services to be 17.3-knot service speed, and
transferred there. Increasing had cabin accommodation
numbers of containers were for 12 drivers.
carried, and many open Taking over services from
flush-decked container vessels Portsmouth to St Peter Port
were chartered to augment and St Helier, the pair proved
services. Additional ships were efficient and economical,
also purchased, becoming but with passenger
Commodore Clipper (1) accommodation needed
and Commodore when they took over from
Goodwill Condor’s high-speed vessels
(1), and new in bad weather or in the event
 Pride of Portsmouth was built as Anu in Norway in 1972, one of four
container ships, of breakdowns, a slightly
sisters, and was renamed Norman Commodore in 1993.
 The 1996-built Commodore

Goodwill (11,166gt) arriving
at Portsmouth.

 Current services from Portsmouth to Guernsey, Jersey and St Malo are  Long serving Commodore Shipping/Condor staff, left to right: Captain
maintained by the freight-only Commodore Goodwill, pictured at St Helier, and Roger Thomson, (20 years); non-executive Director Jeff Vidamour (50 years);
the passenger and freight ship Commodore Clipper. and Chief Engineer Charles Smith (20 years).
longer and wider vessel with support vessel Wave Sentinel Commodore Goodwill) have 80 13.6m trailers is now
a passenger certificate for 500 in February 2000. She is carried the full Condor livery much faster than it once was.
was ordered from Van der currently based in Curaçao. since 2004. Commodore Today, the company, known as
Giessen-de Nord at Krimpen, In normal service Goodwill provides a night Condor Freight, carries 80 per
near Rotterdam. Work Commodore Clipper’s service from the mainland and cent of all supplies from the
started in November 1998 passenger numbers are limited daytime return crossings, with UK to the Channel Islands,
and Commodore Clipper was to 300. She usually departs one trip a week to St Malo. including temperature-
launched in May 1999. Portsmouth in the morning The development of ro-ro controlled products, heavy and
A pair of nine-cylinder with an overnight return, during the 1990s improved out of gauge consignments
MAK engines produced a when 160 berths in 40 cabins the company’s speed and (typically for construction
speed of 18.8 knots, and are available, along with lounge responsiveness significantly, projects), unaccompanied
there is space for 279 cars on seating. During relief spells and loading and unloading cars and passengers.
1,265 lane metres over two covering Condor high-speed
decks, with internal access craft there, she has sailed
ramps from stern doors. from the islands to Poole and,
Delivered in September 1999, starting in 2002, provided a
the 13,465gt vessel replaced Portsmouth-Cherbourg round
Island Commodore, which was trip on summer Sundays.
sold to UK company Global After entering service with
Marine Systems for US$24 Commodore’s name on the
million, and was converted hull and Condor’s logo on
by Cammell Laird to debut the forward superstructure,
as cable-laying and offshore Commodore Clipper (and
 The ro-ro vessel Island Commodore when in service (above), and (inset) after being sold in 1999 and converted into the offshore support vessel Wave Sentinel.

Dream Cruises’ Nassau-registered cruise ship Genting Dream (150,695gt) at Singapore on 19
January. The Meyer Werft-built ship currently operates between Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and
Indonesia. Genting Dream was ordered in October 2013 for Star Cruises, construction began on 9
February 2015, and she debuted in November 2016 as Genting Dream. DARREN HOLDAWAY
SHIPS PICTORIAL
Have you an outstanding photo that would grace our
gallery? Send your image to Ships Monthly
in ship photography around the world.
for inclusion in these pages, which showcase the best
Responder (2001/12184grt, ex-Tyco Responder) sails from Auckland’s

Wynyard Wharf following bunkering operations. She is currently in New
Zealand waters as part of a project to lay 15,000km of telecommunications
cable to improve New Zealand’s internet speeds. Responder
is owned and managed by Transoceanic Cable Ship Co
of Baltimore, USA. SEAPIXONLINE.COM
Ships Pictorial May 2018_NL.indd 49 07/03/2018 09:29

The trailing suction hopper dredger The Bahamas-flagged Pipe Layer The drill ship Sertao (2012/60,316gt) The roll-on/roll-off container ship
Shoalway (2010/4,088gt), operated by Global 1200 arriving at Algeciras on 22 arriving on the Thames to moor at Atlantic Star (100,430gt), ACL’s ship
Royal Boskalis Westminster, is regularly October 2017 from Brest. She was built Tilbury power station deepwater jetty. linking North America with Europe,
used for dredging operations around in 2010 at Keppel Singmarine, Singapore The ship, the tallest to have visited the passes Crosby inbound to Liverpool
UK ports. MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHIC for Global Offshore. CHRIS BROOKS Thames, is up for sale. FRASER GRAY Docks, May 2017. DAVID FAIRCLOUGH


TIDE CLASS
TANKERS The new Tide class tankers provide the Royal Navy with a vital
replenishment capability, as Conrad Waters explains
T
he first week of tankers, marked her official stores while they are It is true that today’s
December 2017 entry into the Royal Fleet operating at sea. Modern modern warship is often
saw Portsmouth Auxiliary’s operational fleet. replenishment-at-sea (RAS) capable of unsupported
Naval Base Although Tidespring’s arrival techniques were first used deployment in peacetime
welcome HM The did not attract the same level of operationally during World conditions. However, such
Queen and other dignitaries media attention, she is arguably War I. However, it was the operations are heavily reliant
for the commissioning of just as important for the naval US Navy’s wholesale reliance on the availability of friendly
the new aircraft carrier HMS service’s future operations as on underway replenishment bases for refuelling and
Queen Elizabeth. Two weeks the flagship carrier. during the deployment of fast provisioning. Given such
earlier Portsmouth had carrier strike forces against support cannot be relied on
hosted a somewhat lower-key REPLENISHMENT Japan in the later years of the in wartime conditions, a navy
event. On 27 November a The new Tide class’s primary second global conflict that can only retain its freedom
dedication ceremony for RFA role is to replenish Royal demonstrated how important of action if it can replenish
Tidespring, the first of four Navy and allied warships effective RAS had become to its warships at sea. This is
new 39,000-tonne Tide class with fuel, water and other modern naval warfare. particularly the case for aircraft
operations, which can make
 The new Tide class tanker
Tidespring in the Carrick Roads off
Falmouth in April 2017. Her arrival
in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary service
represents a significant development
for British naval capability. ALL IMAGES
CROWN COPYRIGHT 2017 UNLESS STATED
Tide class tankers_NL.indd 52 06/03/2018 11:04

RFA TANKERS
huge demands on supplies of orders for replenishment

aviation fuel, munitions and vessels after the end of the
other stores. The new Queen Cold War had meant that
Elizabeth class carriers have naval designs for these ships
very limited value without had started to lag behind best
the availability of specialist commercial practice. At the
replenishment shipping to same time, straightforward
support their missions. conversions of merchant ships
As their name suggests, were not ideal in terms of
the Tide class tankers are speed, accommodation and
essentially intended to provide helicopter operating capability.
the fuel and other liquid stores They therefore decided
to sustain such operations. to take a series of Baltic
Although the ‘Tides’ have a type commercial product
limited capability to provide tanker designs developed by
solid stores, which are largely Norway’s Skipskonsulent and
housed in standardised adapt them for purpose-built  Tidespring refuelling the Type 23 frigate Sutherland. An efficient
containers shipped on deck, naval auxiliaries. replenishment-at-sea capability is essential for conducting long-distance
this is much more restricted The Tide class design is maritime operations.
than in many similar European a modification of BMT’s
designs. This reflects the fact AEGIR 26 concept. Like all
that few European navies modern tankers, it is a double-
are configured to support hulled design built in full
extended strike carrier compliance with MARPOL
missions of the sort envisaged anti-pollution requirements.
by the Royal Navy. The British Other important features
approach is therefore more include the use of a two-
like that of the US Navy. shaft, twin-skeg hull form.
The duplicated propulsion
AEGIR DESIGN ensures manoeuvrability is
The Tide class is based on maintained in the event of
a series of AEGIR designs breakdown, while the skegs
developed by the British – sternward extensions of the
BMT Defence Services naval hull structure – enclose the
design consultancy. BMT shaft lines and help improve
recognised that limited global fuel efficiency.
 Tidespring at sea, November 2017. She is based on BMT Defence

Service’s AEGIR concept, itself derived from a Baltic-type commercial
product tanker design.
 The Tide class ships are equipped with a two-shaft CODLOD propulsion
system. This helps ensure manoeuvrability during complicated replenishment
evolutions; Tidespring is shown refuelling Sutherland here.

The machinery is a combined cost seems to have played an
diesel electric or diesel inevitable part in the decision.
(CODLOD) arrangement However, defence trade
under which power is supplied between UK and South
to each shaftline by either a Korea has been expanding
main diesel engine or by a in recent years, with South
hybrid electrical machine, each Korean purchases of Wildcat
coupled to a reduction gearbox. helicopters and Rolls-Royce
Maximum speed is stated to gas turbines for their new
be in excess of 15 knots. frigates potentially benefitting
Tidespring and her sisters from the Tide class contract.
are each able to transport The Tide class ships were
19,000m³ of fuel, a further built at DSME’s giant Okpo
1,300m³ of fresh water and yard in South Korea, where
eight containers of solid the first steel for Tidespring was
 The Tide class are built by DSME in South Korea. This picture shows second stores. Transfers can be cut in June 2014. Launch and
of class Tiderace at the US Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan during her long carried out by means of two subsequent naming followed
delivery voyage to the United Kingdom. US NAVY starboard and one port RAS in 2015, but the expected
stations, and there is a stern arrival in British waters in 2016
RAS rig as well. Movement was deferred, reportedly due
of solid stores can also be to problems with the ship’s
carried out vertically by means cabling installation. Tidespring
of an embarked helicopter, finally docked in the UK in
for which a single hangar is April 2017, over a year later
provided. This is sufficiently than expected.
spacious to accommodate a By the end of 2017 the
Merlin helicopter. The flight second and third ships of the
deck is capable of handling a class, Tiderace and Tidesurge,
larger Chinook. had also been accepted off
As an auxiliary, Tidespring is contract. The programme will
not designed to ship offensive be completed when the fourth
weaponry, but provision has and final vessel, Tideforce, is
been made to fit Phalanx delivered later this year 2018.
close-in weapons systems In contrast to many recent
 A stern view of Tidespring showing her large helicopter flight deck and
and/or other light guns. British defence projects, the
hangar. She is capable of embarking a Merlin-sized helicopter, while her flight
deck is able to support operations with an even larger Chinook. Accommodation is provided programme is expected to
for about 110 personnel. cost significantly less than the
While Tidespring is primarily original budget.
intended for replenishment On arrival in the United
duties, her design is Kingdom, all members of
sufficiently flexible to support the class are docked at A&P
other missions. Similar ships Group’s yard at Falmouth in
have previously used their Cornwall for installation of
stores-carrying capacity and military, communications and
ability to support helicopter other sensitive equipment. The
operations on humanitarian Ministry of Defence (MOD)
and disaster relief deployments. stated that this work will
The class could also be tasked sustain around 300 jobs at the
with ensuring maritime facility, which, with Cammell
security in lower threat areas. Laid in Birkenhead, is heavily
involved with in sustaining the
SOUTH KOREAN BUILT wider RFA fleet.
Although the Tide class When taken together with
tankers are British-designed, contracts for design work,
construction of the four specialist equipment and
vessels was entrusted to South other services, the MOD
Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding believe that the Tide class
& Marine Engineering construction programme has
(DSME) under a £450 been worth £150 million to
million contract announced British companies.
in 2012. The award proved
to be somewhat controversial, INTO SERVICE
in spite of claims that no The preparations at Falmouth to
British yard had the capacity ready Tidespring for operational
 One of Tidespring’s refuelling rigs. The Tide class’s main role is to supply
frontline warships with fuel and other liquid supplies.
to undertake the work, and service took up much of the

RFA TANKERS
TIDE CLASS spring and summer of 2017.

DISPLACEMENT 39,000 tonnes
During this time the ship was
fortunate to escape serious
DIMENSIONS 201m x 29m x 10m
damage when a crane collapsed
REPLENISHMENT Capacity 19,000m³ alongside the dock in which
of fuel and 1,300m³ of fresh water; 8 she was berthed in May 2017.
TEU containers; 3 beam and 1 stern
Final acceptance trials were
replenishment stations; 2 cranes
carried out in the autumn.
ARMAMENT Space reserved for 2 These included an initial
Phalanx CIWS and other light guns;
landing by a helicopter on
hangar for Merlin-sized helicopter;
flight deck capable of operating the ship’s flight deck in
Chinook helicopters October 2017 and her first
replenishment-at-sea evolution
PROPULSION CODLOD, 2 shafts;
speed in excess of 15 knots the following month. She
arrived at Portsmouth on
COMPLEMENT Accommodation for
approximately 110 personnel
16 November 2017 for her  Tidespring entering Portsmouth Harbour on 16 November 2017 prior to her
dedication ceremony. Now formal dedication ceremony.
BUILDERS DSME, South Korea; she is part of the frontline
specialist outfitting by A&P Group,
Falmouth
fleet, future duties are likely While the Tide class’s arrival concept has also found favour
to include providing support marks a significant step forward with the Royal Norwegian
CLASS Tidespring (A136),
for Queen Elizabeth as the new for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Navy, which has ordered a
Tiderace (A137), Tidesurge (A138),
Tideforce (A139)
carrier steadily works up for additional replenishment slightly smaller ship based
operational service. capabilities will be required to on the AEGIR 18R concept
sustain future fleet operations. for their own fleet. A more
In particular, a new design multifunctional design
of solid fleet support ships is than Tidespring, she is able
planned to supplement the to carry a wide range of
liquid replenishment facilities liquid and solid stores and
provided by the Tides with a is also equipped to carry
similar capacity to reprovision out additional roles, such
ships with food, munitions and as a depot ship for smaller
other stores. A total of three warships, a command and
ships is planned for entry into control facility or a hospital
service around the middle of ship. Named Maud, she has
the next decade. It is not yet also been delayed in the course
clear whether they will be built of construction at DSME, but
in a British or overseas yard. is likely to be in service before
Meanwhile, the AEGIR the end of 2018.
 A CGI of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Maud. Like the Tide class, she is based  Once the Tide class ships arrive in the UK, they are taken to A&P
on BMT’s AEGIR concept but has a smaller, more multifunctional design. The Group’s Falmouth ship yard for the installation of their military and
graphic shows her acting as a base ship for submarines. BMT DEFENCE SERVICES other sensitive equipment.

VIVA VRONSKIY
Matt Davies profiles the vintage ferry, which was delivered in 1978 to
Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland as Prinses Beatrix for service between
Harwich and the Hook of Holland and now works in the Mediterranean.
W
hen she was still operating in Europe, and a two-class ship by Verolme class facilities forward and first
delivered she is still going strong in Scheepswerf, Heusden, class facilities midships and aft.
in 1978 to the Mediterranean. Owned Netherlands. In her original Above the bridge on B deck at
Sealink’s by Nizhniy Shipping Ltd guise, the 9,238gt vessel the highest level was the second
Dutch and managed by Slovenian carried 1,500 passengers class reclining seat lounge with
partner Stoomvaart company Pulchra Mare and 320 cars or 44 trailers. its large panoramic windows.
Maatschappij Zeeland (SMZ) Shipping and Agency, Vronskiy Night sailings were limited to C deck had the bridge and
as Prinses Beatrix for service operates on long-term charter 1,024 passengers, with 576 crew accommodation, with D
between Harwich and Hoek to Trasmediterranea, with accommodated in cabins and deck a second class cafeteria
van Holland, the 40-year-old whom she been for ten years, 448 in reclining seats. Passenger and lounge bar forward, and
ferry Vronskiy was among despite changing ownership. accommodation was spread first class restaurant, bar and
the best of her kind on the Prinses Beatrix was built as over four decks, with second saloons with a dedicated sun
North Sea. Now she is one deck midships and aft. E deck
of the few 1970s-built ferries was similarly segregated, with
Vronskiy outbound from

Algeciras in the late
evening. MATT DAVIES
Vronsky_NL.indd 56 06/03/2018 11:08

FERRY FOCUS
first class cabins aft and a Plymouth-Roscoff service.

divided midships lobby with After two summers at
separate first and second class Plymouth, she was sold in
receptions. Further first class early 2005 to the Hawthorn
cabins were forward to either Shipping Co of Cyprus for
side of a central second class operation by TransEuropa
recliner lounge that included Ferries (TEF). Refitted in
stairwell access to second class Gdansk and Ostend, she
above. Below vehicle decks received the TEF flower
F and G were second class name of Wisteria and was
cabins without private facilities immediately chartered to
on H deck. Trasmediterranea’s newly
acquired Ferrimaroc subsidiary
BRITTANY FERRIES for operation from Almeria
In late 1985 Prinses Beatrix to Nador, Morocco. In
was sold to Brittany the autumn she returned
Ferries with a charter back to Ostend and, following
arrangement until April 1986, repainting in full TEF livery,
when SMZ’s new superferry entered service in November  Prinses Beatrix of Dutch Sealink partner Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland
Koningin Beatrix arrived. in a freight capacity between (SMZ). MATTHEW MURTLAND COLLECTION
Following an extensive refit Ramsgate and Ostend.
in Rotterdam she emerged as However, her channel stay
Duc de Normandie in June was short-lived as, in February
1986 and opened the new 2006, she returned to
Portsmouth-Caen route. Trasmediterranea, with whom
In summer 2002, following she has remained ever since.
delivery of the new Mont St In addition to serving Nador,
Michel, she was moved to the she has regularly operated
 Duc de Normandie of Brittany Ferries. MATTHEW MURTLAND COLLECTION
 Wisteria in TransEuropa Ferries livery at Ostend in 2005 while operating in a

freight capacity between the port and Ramsgate. MATTHEW MURTLAND COLLECTION
 Wisteria arriving at Nador in 2006 from Almeria, operating for

Trasmediterranea’s Ferrimaroc subsidiary. MATTHEW MURTLAND
Vronsky_NL.indd 57 06/03/2018 11:08

from Almeria to Ghazaouet Vronskiy berthed at Algeciras. MATT DAVIES
and Oran in Algeria, from
Algeciras to Tanger, and
between Barcelona and the
Balearic Islands.
At the start of April 2013
Wisteria was sold to Nizhniy
Shipping, Marshall Islands
and renamed Vronskiy, with
her charter continuing and
management and crew
remaining with Slovenian
company Kajster DOO.
Her former TEF consort
Oleander (formerly P&O’s
Pride of Kent), also chartered
by Trasmediterranea, was
also sold, to related company
Novgorod Shipping Ltd,
becoming Sherbatskiy. Both
vessels’ names were taken
from characters in Tolstoy’s
novel Anna Karenina.
TransEuropa Ferries went
into administration at the
end of April 2013. Later The adjacent first class
that year crewing operations lounge was converted into
and vessel management were a pair of cinemas, with the
reconstituted and Pulchra port-side lounge refitted as the
Mare Shipping and Agency Salon de thé Le Devon. The
DOO was formed. aft starboard side first class bar
Vronskiy spent much of aft was refurbished as a bar
the year sailing from Almeria and the superstructure was
to Oran, Ghazaouet and extended over the open deck
Nador, seeing service between to create the conservatory-
Tanger and Algeciras during style Salon de Jardin de
the winter and spring, a Monet lounge which featured
pattern she now repeats each panoramic windows. On deck
year. Fleetmate Sherbatskiy 5 (formerly E deck) the lobby
operated between Almeria partition dividing the first
and Nador until late 2014, and second class receptions
when her charter ceased and, was removed and a boutique
with further charter work and kiosk replaced them,
not forthcoming, she was while the forward reclining  The aft sun deck on Vronskiy. The triangular-shaped skylights installed
by Brittany Ferries are now covered to reduce the heat and glare from the
sold to an Indian Shipping lounge was converted into Mediterranean Sea on the lounge below. ON BOARD PHOTOS BY MATT DAVIES
Group in April 2015 and was a duty-free shop. At the top
subsequently scrapped. on deck 8, the second class class aircraft seats complete being marked in 2017.
Brittany Ferries converted recliner lounge was initially with buttons for changing Vronskiy moved to Almeria
Duc de Normandie into a left unchanged but was later channels and calling cabin in late June 2016 and, apart
single-class ship. Decks were refitted and extended aft. crew. The buffet counters from a further dry-docking in
given numbers rather than When the ship was Wisteria were left in place, presumably Seville in February 2017, has
letters, signage was replaced very few changes were to allow easy conversion back remained operating to Nador,
and most areas received new made; catering outlets were to restaurant use. With the Ghazaouet and Oran.
fixtures and fittings. However, rebranded in TEF’s house restaurant having entrance Vronskiy is registered in
due to her two-class origin she style, becoming the Coffee doors at each end, the lounge Limassol under the Cypriot
possessed an awkward internal Call, the Marko Polo Diner can be walked through. flag and her masters are
layout, with the restaurant and the Neptune Truckers Slovenian or Croatian. She
splitting deck 6 (formerly D Inn. New seating was provided EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL usually operates with a
deck) into two. The forward in the Coffee Call and the In March 2016 Vronskiy single master, but a second
second class lounge bar and video arcade converted to a travelled 80km inland along is required when sailing the
cafeteria were rebuilt into the mosque. The most significant the Guadalquivir River to Straits as operations are more
l’Estacade self-service restaurant change was the conversion of Seville to be extensively intensive with three or four
and the starboard midships the Honfleur Restaurant on overhauled, emerging in daily return crossings. The
first class restaurant became deck 6 to a recliner lounge Trasmediterranea’s centenary master who had previously
the Honfleur Restaurant. using former Lufthansa first livery, with the anniversary worked for TEF said that
Vronsky_NL.indd 58 06/03/2018 11:08

FERRY FOCUS
Islands, the Spanish enclaves

A MEDITERRANEAN TRIP ON VRONSKIY of Ceuta and Melilla in North
Africa and on international
routes to Algeria and Morocco.
Around 2.5 million passengers
and 600,000 cars are carried
annually, with considerable
growth in both 2015 and 2016.
Meanwhile, the traditional
Vronskiy remains in excellent
 On the bridge.  The reclining seat lounge, deck 8.  The former L’Alambic bar.
condition both internally
and mechanically, with a
Vronskiy was deployed at Algeciras TEF names. Many Brittany Ferries crew provided by Pulchra Mare, high passenger capacity, and
until late June 2016 and during this deck plans still remain on walls, but and Trasmediterranea providing Trasmediterranea’s business is
spell I sailed on her to Tanger Med. It safety signage has been updated some hotel management posts. booming. The former Channel
was an amazing experience to return in Spanish and Arabic, carrying There are 63 crew cabins, which and North Sea stalwart should
to a vessel on which I had last travelled Pulchra Mare branding. Overall, the can accommodate 108 in total. remain in service for some time
in 1998 from Portsmouth to Caen as ship remains in excellent condition On passages to North Africa most to come. So, long live Vronskiy,
a teenager during a family holiday. and is kept spotless by her mixed passengers bring their own food or, as they would say in Spanish,
Vronskiy retains many of her crew of Croatians, Slovenians and and the self-service restaurant sees ‘Viva Vronskiy’!
Brittany Ferries features from Montenegrins. limited use, with meals cooked to
her days as Duc de Normandie, There are around 70 crew order. Both bars are kept open and VRONSKIY
though the catering outlets carry members, with deck and catering offer snacks.
FORMER Names Prinses Beatrix
(1978); Duc de Normandie (1986);
Wisteria (2005)
OPERATOR Acciona
Trasmediterranea
OWNER Nizhniy Shipping Limited
MANAGERS Pulchra Mare Shipping
and Agency D.O.O.
 The former Salon de Jardin de The l’Estacade self-service cafe is  The eight-lane vehicle deck with FLAG Cyprus
Monet lounge aft on deck 6. now the Marko Polo Diner. the twin mezzanine decks.
BUILT 1978, Verolme Scheepswerf
Heusden B.V, Heusden, Holland yard
crossing the Straits is easier Crossings take around eight 80 two- or four-berth cabins no. 959
than the channel as shipping hours, with day sailings made with wash basins. TONNAGE 13,505gt, 1,887dwt
traffic is less and fog not as in one direction and a night Vronskiy is now in her 40th DIMENSION 131m x 22.5m x 5.2 m
frequent, but strong wind and sailing in the other, putting year, having spent 12 years with
POWER 4x Stork-Werkspoor
waves occur regularly. the 574 berths to good use. Trasmediterranea, who operate
8TM410LL producing 16182 kW
Despite her age, Vronskiy On Deck 5 are 140 two- a mixed fleet of 21 owned and
can still achieve 21 knots. berth cabins, all with private chartered vessels on 17 routes, SPEED 21 knots
In comparison to the short facilities, and on deck 2 linking mainland Spain with CAPACITY 1,500 Passengers, 574
hour and a half crossing of (below the vehicle deck) are the Balearic Islands, the Canary berths in 260 cabins, 320 cars, 528
the Straits, sailings from lane metres
Almeria to Nador, Ghazaouet
and Oran are more leisurely,
with long open-sea passages. Vronskiy departing Tanger
Med for Algeciras. MATT DAVIES
Vronsky_NL.indd 59 06/03/2018 11:09

Hill, Cudham,
st enclose
must not
Publishing
CHARTROOM
SHIPS MAIL
The Turks were most helpful,
and in the afternoon there was the
naming ceremony. This involved the
vessels being taken to the villages
after which they were named. I
was on Kanlica, which was a very
Ferries of Istanbul nice place on the Asian side of the
I have just read the excellent article Bosphorus. Everyone from the village
by Colin Smith on Istanbul and its was present, and the head of the
ferries(SM, Mar), and it brought back Mosque very carefully cut a sheep’s
good memories of my shipbuilding throat and let the blood flow over
days. In 1961 I was a ship manager in the deck, after which the sheep was
Fairfields in charge of construction given to the poor of the village.
of the first four Turkish ferries. They I was very lucky to have been
were really great little ships to build, given the chance to work with the
as they were rather unusual. see them into service after they and water poured into the top deck Turks, and I stayed for six months
We completed sea trials of had completed trials for the Port saloon, where all the food and drink as it turned out, welcoming all nine
the first two, and then modified Authority of Istanbul. I was 29 at the was. We had forgotten the top ships to their new homes. At that
them for towing to Istanbul. I was time, and to get an opportunity such weather deck was a skeleton deck, time the ferries were run by the Navy,
also involved in completing the as this was wonderful. made up of a wood deck and steel and they were very efficient.
next two, but was told to go to Sea trials in Istanbul went well until beams. The strong sun had melted Ian Morison
Istanbul to meet the first ones and the emergency fire pump started, the pitch and let the water in. Lymington
A trio of memories whalers. The highlight of the week ship was an everyday experience. towering out of the hatchway of a
In recent months you have featured was being allowed to sail in convoy to Following my apprenticeship cargo hold amidships.
three articles which in some way have Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight. and upon gaining my Second Mates I spent about two months on Nassa
charted my maritime career. The In 1958 I joined Shell Tankers as a Certificate, I was sent to the Far before transferring to Gemma for the
article on HMS Trincomalee revived Deck Apprentice, and my first ship East to join Nassa, which we took next eight months, trading around the
memories of my time on the ship when was Verena, which appears in your to Singapore in the summer of 1963 Indonesian Islands, and continued with
it was TS Foudroyant. From 1955 to article on Shell. Just before I joined, to act as bunker vessel following a Shell Tankers, gaining sufficient sea
1957 I would go down to Gosport my father received a letter to say collision with two bunker piers on time to gain my masters certificate.
from my home in Coventry and spend that the company had decided to Pulo Bukum. Your article on Singapore Colin Neason, Cromer
a fortnight on Foudroyant. At the reduce the trips from two years to reminded me of this experience and
age of 14 I was introduced to basic one. On the tankers there was no the varied vessels that we bunkered. Ugly cruise ships
seamanship and sailing skills, including air-conditioning, cleaning the cargo Perhaps the most bizarre was a Maybe the question should not be
how to sling a hammock, and taught tanks was undertaken by hand using Dutch cargo vessel carrying animals, ‘How big can cruise ships become?’
how to sail and row lifeboats and high-pressure hoses, and painting the including a giraffe, which had its neck (SM, Feb, page 20), but rather ‘How
ugly can cruise ships become?’ And
Aussie farewell to QE2

emotional and atmospheric farewell you can add Vancouver to ports
to QE2, and he replied: ‘Australia that the new ships may not be able
has always been a great friend to to enter. The Lion’s Gate Bridge’s
QE2 and she has always been made height is the problem. There is talk
welcome on her calls there. When of building a new terminal outside
we left Sydney for the last time the inner harbour (Burrard Inlet), but
there were many people to see us that would be a shame, as Vancouver
off, but somehow it was a quiet Harbour has one of the most beautiful
and sombre departure, almost as settings in the world.
if people knew we would never Dave Shore, Vancouver, BC
be back, and when we cleared
the heads and replied to Sydney Half a century
Harbour radio they read us a very When I was recently caught in the rain
emotional and heartfelt goodbye I slipped into WH Smith to shelter
On 25 February 2018 it was ten years years of age and retiring to Dubai. message, which left us feeling very and came across Ships Monthly, a
since Queen Elizabeth 2 departed Queen Elizabeth 2: thank you for the sad on the bridge.’ publication I had never seen before.
Sydney for the last time. I was on memories and farewell.’ The captain I first went on board Queen But what a wealth of interesting
duty in Harbour Control Tower at responded: ‘Thank you for your Elizabeth 2 in 1969 at Southampton information it provided, and I am
Millers Point and made the following gracious comments. We have always (see photo), when I was sailing on going to subscribe.
broadcast on VHF 13 as she was enjoyed visiting Sydney so much. Shaw Savill’s Northern Star as Third Next year I will have been directly
clearing Sydney Heads: Thank you Queen Elizabeth 2 out.’ Officer. And that will be 50 years linked to the Merchant Navy for 50
‘Queen Elizabeth 2, we thank I recently read an article in ago next year. years, but I was involved with ships
you for your grace and elegance in which the captain was asked which Stuart Durant ten years before that. I was born in
the past 30years. We envy you – 41 Australian port he felt gave the most New South Wales, Australia Tanganyika (as it was then) and first
saw the sea and ships age three when
Chartroom May 2018_NL.indd 60 06/03/2018 11:55

READERS’ PAGES
I was
Canton
voyages
saloon p
which I
Hence t
My r
about this, and those that have Florida, under the command of ‘sea-bo
handled such vessels did not have a Captain M. L. Russell, was built at tended
in those
good word to say about them. Newport News, Va, and measured
meeting
My two personal dislikes while 387ft by 56ft, had a speed of 19
bonus p
piloting were totally enclosed knots, and was fully air-conditioned. I In bad w
wheelhouses that prevented me from have a few photos, taken by the ship’s and ghe
getting onto the bridge wing so as to photographer, in the Florida frame, Enough
get a feel for the weather, and ships’ and the name of the ship is clearly consequ
bridges on the bow, where there was visible in the background. enjoyed
no physical heading reference, like a Terry J. Sinclair-Wise In my
mast or a jackstaff. Vertical frames of Victoria, BC, Canada the offic
the wheelhouse windows could also commo
be too close for steadying purposes, Dangerous navigation? on D de
so the helmsman had to revert to While I was recently looking at the AIS, the cab
 Ships entering using locks on the Kiel Canal. TREVOR HARVEY Reco
a compass heading, which is not I counted nine car carriers in Lyme Bay,
lying in
we went on holiday in Mombasa, so hamlets along the banks of the canal, suitable when close in when the ship’s presumably sheltering from gales, all attainin
I knew what I wanted to be when as I imagined that when it had been direction is being constantly altered. but one of which were moving at two Puff. I c
I grew up. When I was seven, we widened it might have pile-driven Clive Spencer to four knots, presumably enough to to the P
returned to the UK on the British India banks. So it was a pleasant surprise to Bay of Plenty, New Zealand maintain steerage. Looking at their took the
passenger ship Uganda, so I knew see natural banks . individual tracks suggested that they to a thre
which company I wanted to join. There are several passenger and Florida memories were moving in haphazard zigzags, and details)
In 1965, when I was 13, I was car ferries that cross the canal, and I immediately recognised Florida, a I thought here was a recipe for disaster. Cant
accepted into the London Nautical many people waiting to transit waved recent mystery ship (SM, Dec 2017), as A sizeable number of big ships were As a
School and at 16 I was accepted into as we passed. Where the houses I was Third Purser on board when the manoeuvring in a relatively small space, was ser
the British India Steam Navigation had gardens that came almost to the photo was taken. I had been Junior at night. Can anyone please enlighten black le
the wor
Co as a deck cadet. I have been lucky canal’s edge, the householders came Purser on the ill-fated Yarmouth me as to whether the situation really
Paul
enough to sail on most types of craft, out to give us a wave. As we went Castle, which burned and sank in was as dangerous as it seemed, or
Shor
latterly specialising in commanding along the canal, Braemar had only November 1965 with the loss of 91. I was there some modern technology
high-speed ferries and large yachts. 6ft of clearance under the bridges in was the last off the burning vessel and making it safer than it looked? The P
Captain Nicholas G. Pearson, MNI some places, and it was very tight. this was my second ship. Chris Frame, Sidmouth New Ze
Waterlooville Trevor Harvey, Stoke-on-Trent Novemb
movem
Portsmouth memories Thames Mosaic Manuka
I am a retired employee of both The photograph of City of The p
Portsmouth and Plymouth Royal Westminster in Maritime Mosaic (SM, albacor
Dockyards, and a friend thought I Mar) caught my eye, but the caption is day this
whatsoe
would be interested in the feature incorrect. The passenger vessel in the
To ke
on HMS Hermes and her return to foreground is not London Eagle and,
a tribute
Portsmouth (see SM, Nov 2017). as far as I know, there has never been boasts a
I have many happy memories of a Thames passenger boat of that ships wh
my time in Portsmouth, part of which name. She is London Rose, and was those b
was spent working on small craft, such built in Germany in 1977 to run on the abunda
as Bustler when she was in refit. Your Danube as Passauer Wolf. She later Whic
picture had a special meaning for me, ran on the Weser as La Visurgis before become
as my late uncle would have been at coming to London in December 2001 Sail training ships and Trincomalee the Port
informa
the helm of the tug Bustler (A225) to be operated for Viscount Cruises
While I enjoyed the article on restoration there. There was, crew) so
pulling from the bow of Hermes, and between Westminster, Greenwich
Trincomalee (Sm, Jan), it stated apparently, very little intent at future g
I could see two places within the and the Thames Barrier.
incorrectly that during her time as Portsmouth for keeping Foudroyant To th
Dockyard where I once worked. Geoff Hamer, Southall
Foudroyant she was a sail training there, but she would have made an photog
Melvyn Avis, Saltash of the M
More about propellers vessel. Sail training ships go to interesting comparison with Victory
may hav
On the Kiel Canal Jan Torriblad of Kristinehamn (SM,
sea and use sails for propulsion.
Foudroyant , however, was only ever
and Warrior as a naval vessel more
typical of a period approximately
of Oneh
Regarding the article on the Kiel Nov 2017, Chartroom) asks, having Manuka
on fixed moorings and de-rigged, midway between the two.
Canal (SM, Feb), I would have liked read my own letter (SM, Sep 2017), Subm
so she was static. Even when she Romantically, perhaps, how certain
some more up-to-date photographs. whether I have piloted ships with
was at Falmouth, before she was at appropriate it would have been if confirm
Having traversed the Canal in 2017 left-handed (anti-clockwise turning)
Portsmouth, this was the case, as can the first view one got on entering Jerem
on Fred. Olsen’s cruise ship Braemar, propellers, and I have never knowingly
be seen in contemporary photos Portsmouth harbour was of a fully- www
I was quite surprised to see pretty done so. I have asked other pilots
(see above). Just the main lower rigged wooden wall lying to her the Port
mast remained as a derrick-post. moorings appearing in all respects
Write to Ships Mail, Ships Monthly, Kelsey Publishing, Cudham Tithe Mention was also made of ready for sail. However, I have no Cong
Barn, Berrys Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG, or email sm.ed@kelsey. her passage to Hartlepool. She doubt that in reality the present photo o
co.uk. Please note that letters via email must enclose sender’s full was taken on the same barge set-up is the best. of them
postal address. Contributions to Ships Monthly must be exclusive and must not be sent with all
that had brought HMS Warrior Michael Wood
to other publications. The editor reserves the right to edit material. Kelsey Publishing built thi
to Portsmouth following her Dronfield
reserves the right to reuse any submission sent in any format. and in t
J engine
www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 61 in favou

CHARTROOM
Ports of call • aPrIl
Date Arr/dep Ship Operator GT Date Arr/dep Ship Operator GT
AVONMOUTH - BRISTOL HOLYHEAD
23 0800/2300 Prinsendam Holland America Line 39,051 4 0700/1300 Expedition G Adventures 6,334
9 0700/1700 Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises 90,090
BELFAST
11 0700/1800 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526
1 1100/2000 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878
21 0700/1600 Marina Riviera Cruises 66,084
6 0800/2100 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714
6 0800/2300 Silver Muse Silversea 40,791
9 0800/1900 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526 INVERGORDON
11 0700/1600 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878 1 0800/2000 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
12 TBC/TBC Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842 6 0700/1900 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526
18 0800/1800 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289 9 0700/1800 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714
18 0800/2100 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 16 1400/2000 Artania Phoenix Reisen 44,656
29 0800/2100 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 16 TBC/TBC Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
CORK/COBH
1 0800/2000 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289
29 1000/2000 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
3 1000/1700 Artania Phoenix Reisen 44,656 KIRKWALL
6 0800/1800 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598 2 0800/2000 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
9 1000/1700 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878 9 1200/1800 Expedition G Adventures 6,334
10 0800/1800 Silver Muse Silversea 40,791 14 0800/1800 Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
12 0700/1800 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526 22 0800/1600 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
13 1300/2359 Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean 154,407 23 0900/1600 AIDAluna AIDA Cruises 69,203
15 0900/1900 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 26 0600/1430 Ocean Nova Quark Expeditions 2,183
16 0800/1800 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289 27 0900/1900 MSC Orchestra MSC Cruises 92,409
17 0800/1500 Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378 28 2330/1800 (29) Serenissima Noble Caledonia 2,598
19 1000/1900 Marina Riviera Cruises 66,084 LERWICK
2 0700/1400 Black Watch Fred. Olsen Cruises 28,613
7 1000/1800 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878
31 0800/1900 Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean 154,407
10 0700/1400 Expedition G Adventures 6,334
DOVER 17 1000/1800 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878
1 TBC/TBC Zenith Pullmantur Cruises 47,413 17 0800/1700 Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
3 TBC/TBC Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842 22 0800/1800 MSC Orchestra MSC Cruises 92,409
3 0900/2100 AIDAsol AIDA Cruises 71,304 24 0600/0600 (25) Ocean Nova Quark Expeditions 2,183
7 0900/2100 AIDAsol AIDA Cruises 71,304 25 0800/1700 Artania Phoenix Reisen 44,656
11 0900/2100 AIDAsol AIDA Cruises 71,304 26 0800/1800 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878
11 0700/1800 Deutschland Phoenix Reisen 22,496 LIVERPOOL
4 TBC/TBC Black Watch Fred. Olsen Cruises 28,613
15 0800/2000 Costa Mediterranea Costa Crociere 85,619
18 TBC/TBC Black Watch Fred. Olsen Cruises 28,613
15 0800/1600 Saga Pearl II Saga Cruises 18,627
19 0700/1700 Prinsendam Holland America Line 39,051
22 0800/1600 Saga Pearl II Saga Cruises 18,627 OBAN
27 0800/1600 Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises 90,090 11 0700/2000 Ocean Nova Quark Expeditions 2,183
28 0800/2000 Costa Mediterranea Costa Crociere 85,619 18 0700/1800 Ocean Nova Quark Expeditions 2,183
DUBLIN PORTLAND
4-5 1400/2200 (5) Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 14 0900/2000 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289
5 0700/1700 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598 22 1200/2100 Marina Riviera Cruises 66,084
5 0630/ Hamburg Phoenix Reisen 15,067 PORTSMOUTH
7 0630/ Silver Muse Silversea 40,791 31 0800/2300 Artania Phoenix Reisen 44,656
9 0600/ Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
10 0730/2200 Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878 PORT OF TYNE (Newcastle)
10 0800/2200 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526 3 0900/1700 Balmoral Fred.Olsen Cruises 43,537
16-17 1000/2230 (17) Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 8 0900/1700 Balmoral Fred.Olsen Cruises 43,537
17 0900/2000 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289 15 0900/1700 Balmoral Fred.Olsen Cruises 43,537
19-20 0315/1800 (20) Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878 SOUTHAMPTON
19 0630/ Hamburg Phoenix Reisen 15,067 1 0500/1700 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714
20 0700/ Marina Riviera Cruises 66,084 2 0630/1630 Aurora P&O Cruises 76,152
21 0530/ Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises 90,090 2 0700/2000 Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises 99,526
23 0600/ Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378 4 0630/1600 Arcadia P&O Cruises 84,342
28-29 2345/0830 (29) Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Cruises 121,878 4 0630/1630 Ventura P&O Cruises 116,017
28 0930/2200 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 5 0500/1600 Sapphire Princess Princess Cruises 115,875
EDINBURGH (South Queensferry – SQ) Leith (LE) Newhaven (NH) Rosyth (RO) 6 0530/1630 Navigator of the Seas Royal Caribbean 139,570
1 (RO) TBC/TBC Hamburg Phoenix Reisen 15,067 6 0630/1630 Braemar Fred. Olsen Cruises 24,344
10 (SQ) 0700/1900 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 6 0700/1630 Azura P&O Cruises 115,055
15 (RO) 1100/2300 Artania Phoenix Reisen 44,656 7 0600/1600 Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Cruises 122,210
15 (NH) 0900/1700 Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842 7 0930/2130 AIDAperla AIDA Cruises 125,572
16 (RO) TBC/TBC Balmoral Fred.Olsen Cruises 43,537 8 0630/1630 Oriana P&O Cruises 69,840
17 (SQ) 0700/1800 Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises 90,090 8 0800/2000 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
22 (SQ) 0700/1900 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 10 0600/1630 Queen Elizabeth Cunard Line 90,901
23 (RO) TBC/TBC Hamburg Phoenix Reisen 15,067 10 0600/1630 Queen Mary 2 Cunard Line 149,215
31 (RO) TBC/TBC Balmoral Fred.Olsen Cruises 43,537 11 0600/1630 Britannia P&O Cruises 143,730
11 0700/1630 Arcadia P&O Cruises 84,342
FISHGUARD 11 0700/1700 Ventura P&O Cruises 116,017
21 0900/2000 AIDAvita AIDA Cruises 42,289 11 1630/2200 (13) Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean 154,407
26 1200/2300 Variety Voyagers Variety Cruises 12 0700/1600 Sapphire Princess Princess Cruises 115,875
FOWEY 13 0415/1700 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714
21 0800/2300 Prinsendam Holland America Line 39,051 13 0530/1630 Navigator of the Seas Royal Caribbean 139,570
13 0600/1800 Britannia P&O Cruises 143,730
GREENOCK (GLASGOW)
4 0800/1900 MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises 171,598
14 0800/2000 MSC Magnifica MSC Cruises 95,128
7 0700/1800 Royal Princess Royal Caribbean Cruises 142,714
14 0930/2130 AIDAperla AIDA Cruises 125,572
16 0630/2000 Aurora P&O Cruises 76,152
19 0700/1800 Royal Princess Royal Caribbean Cruises 142,714
16 0630/1630 Braemar Fred. Olsen Cruises 24,344

READERS’ PAGES
Compiled by Donna and Andrew Cooke

Date Arr/dep Ship Operator GT Date Arr/dep Ship Operator GT
17 0530/1630 Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean 154,407 26 0700/1700 Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises 90,090
18 0600/1900 Marella Discovery Marella Cruises 69,472 26 0600/1700 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714
19 0530/1630 Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Cruises 122,210 27 1230/2359 Island Sky Noble Calendonia 4,200
19 0630/1630 Aurora P&O Cruises 76,152 30 0700/1600 Seven Seas Explorer Regent Cruises 55,254
19 0630/1630 Azura P&O Cruises 115,055 30 1400/1900 Star Breeze Windstar Cruises 9,975
20 0530/1630 Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean 154,407 31 0800/1400 Silver Spirit Silversea 36,009
tIlBUry
6 TBC/TBC Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
23 0600/1800 Marina Oceania Cruises 66,084
23 0630/1630 Oriana P&O Cruises 69,840
10-11 TBC/TBC Silver Cloud Silversea 17,000
24 0630/1630 Queen Elizabeth Cunard Line 90,901 UllaPool
24 0630/1630 Queen Mary 2 Cunard Line 149,215 13 1200/1800 Viking Sun Viking Cruises 47,842
24 0800/2000 MSC Magnifica MSC Cruises 95,128 29 0900/2359 Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378
25 0500/1700 Royal Princess Princess Cruises 142,714 ships with more than one call round UK & Ireland
25 0630/1700 Ventura P&O Cruises 116,017
alBatros 28,518gt: 8 Portsmouth, 9 Falmouth, 10 Milford Haven, 11 Dublin, 12 Douglas,
26 0530/1600 Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Cruises 122,210
13 Belfast, 14 Ullapool, 15 Kirkwall
26 0700/1630 Azura P&O Cruises 115,055
astorIa 16,144gt: 1 Scrabster (0700/1900), 2 Lerwick, 3 Invergordon (0800/1700), 5 Tilbury,
9 Cobh, 13 and 21 Dublin,
26 0700/1600 Sapphire Princess Princess Cruises 115,875
BoUDIcca 28,551gt: 5 Dover, 21 Dover, 23 Invergordon, 24 Kirkwall, 25 Lerwick, 26 Stornoway,
27 0530/1630 Navigator of the Seas Royal Caribbean 139,570
27 Tobermory, 28 Dublin, 30 Dover
colUMBUs 63,786gt: 6 Tilbury, 9 Kirkwall, 10 Portree, 11 Tobermory, 12 Dublin, 13 St Mary’s
(Isles of Scilly), 14 St Peter Port (Guernsey), 16 Tilbury, 30 Tilbury
corINthIaN 4,077gt: 6 Poole, 8 Fishguard, 9 Holyhead, 10 Dublin, 13 Oban, 14 Stromness,
28 0630/1630 Arcadia P&O Cruises 84,342
16 Edinburgh, 18 Stromness, 19 Oban, 22 Dublin, 23 Holyhead, 24 Fishguard, 26 Poole, 28
Fishguard, 29 Holyhead, 30 Dublin
le Boreal 10,944gt: 8 London (GST), 11 Greenock, 12 Oban, 14 Kirkwall, 15 Lerwick, 21 Kirkwall,
30 0800/2100 Queen Mary 2 Cunard Line 149,215
22 Lerwick, 24 Oban, 25 Greenock, 26 Oban, 28 Oban, 28 Tobermory, 29 Holyhead, 30 Dublin
31 0700/2100 Seven Seas Explorer Regent Cruises 55,254
LE SOLEAL 10,992gt: 3 St Peter Port, 4 Portsmouth, 5 St Peter Port, 6 St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly), 7
st helIer (Jersey) Cork/Cobh, 8 Liverpool, 9 Douglas (Isle of Man), 10 Belfast, 11 Dublin, 13 Portsmouth
8 1300/1800 Amadea Phoenix Reisen 29,008 MaGellaN 46,052gt: 4 Tilbury, 5 Port of Tyne (Newcastle), 6 Dundee, 12 Port of Tyne
10 0800/1400 Deutschland Phoenix Reisen 22,496 (Newcastle), 13 Dundee, 19 Port of Tyne (Newcastle), 20 Dundee
14 1400/1900 Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378 NorweGIaN JaDe 93,558gt: 2 Portland, 4 Southampton, 5 St Peter Port, 6 Portland, 7 Cork/
Cobh, 8 Dublin, 9 Greenock, 11 Kirkwall, 12 Invergordon, 13 Edinburgh (NH), 14 Newcastle, 16
st Peter Port (Guernsey) (a – alDerNey) (h – herM) (s – sarK)
Southampton, 25 Southampton, 29 Lerwick
1 0630/1230 Expedition G Adventures 6,334
MARCO POLO 22,080gt: 1 Edinburgh (RO), 4 St Helier (Jersey), 5 St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) 6
1 (A) 1500/1830 Expedition G Adventures 6,334
Avonmouth (Bristol), 16 Cardiff, 26 Cork/Cobh, 27 Cardiff, 28 Dublin, 29 Cork/Cobh, 31 St
Mary’s (Isles of Scilly)
6 0700/1800 Sapphire Princess Princess Cruises 115,875
QUeeN VIctorIa 90,049gt: 2, 5, 12, 25 Southampton, 4 and 24 St Peter Port, 14 Cobh, 15
10 1000/1800 Costa Mediterranea Costa Crociere 85,619
Dublin, 16 Greenock (0800/1800), 18 Kirkwall, 19 Portree, 20 Killybegs, 21 Belfast, 22 Liverpool
saGa saPPhIre 37,049gt: 4 Southampton, 9 Tilbury, 10 Dover, 21 Dover, 29 Dover, 31 Dublin
seaBoUrN QUest 32,477gt: 22 Belfast (0800/2300), 17 Dover (0700/1700), 19 Avonmouth, 20
15 0700/1200 Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378
Milford Haven, 21 Douglas (IOM), 23 Greenock (0800/1800), 24 Oban, 26 Portree (0800/1700)
15 (S) 1330/1900 Hanseatic Hapag Lloyd 8,378
sIlVer cloUD 16,927gt: 8 London (GST), 13 Milford Haven, 18 Killybegs, 19 Dublin, 21 Douglas
18 0800/1800 Aurora P&O Cruises 76,152
(Isle of Man), 21 Iona, 22 Oban, 26 Kirkwall, 26 Lerwick, 28 Aberdeen, 30 Hull
20 0730/1830 Serenissima Noble Caledonia 2,598
ZUIDerDaM 82,820gt: 5 Southampton, 23 Belfast (1000/2000), 24-25 Dublin, 26 Cobh, 27
20 0800/1800 Prinsendam Holland America Line 39,051
Holyhead (0800/1700), 28 Greenock (0800/1700), 30 Edinburgh (SQ), 31 Invergordon
Notes This information is given in good faith, and neither the authors nor Ships Monthly can be
23 0700/1700 AIDAaura AIDA Cruises 42,289
held responsible for any changes to ship arrivals or departures.
Mystery shIP This month’s mystery is some kind

of passenger ship at anchor, being
Send your answers,
including a postal address,
March’s Mystery shIP

loaded or unloaded. But what was by email to sm.ed@kelsey.co.uk, or by
her name? When was she built post to Mystery Ship, Ships Monthly,
and for which company? Where Kelsey Media, Cudham Tithe Barn,
and when was the photo taken? Berrys Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG.
What was the ship’s ultimate fate? Emails preferred.
This fine-looking passenger ship is up in 1973. I think the ship shown is

either Britannia or Suecia of Swedish Suecia (4,216gt), which was built at
Lloyd Line. They were classed as Swan Hunters in 1929. In March 1937
ferries on the Gothenburg-Tilbury she sank after a collision with the newly
route, doing three round trips a launched tanker Kollbjorg, and was
week. After offloading passengers not returned to service until June
at Tilbury, they would proceed to 1938. She re-entered service in 1947
Millwall Docks to work cargo. after a brief stint as a troop transport
Both were laid up during World War for the British Government. I believe
II and were sold in 1966 to Hellenic she is shown on the river Thames.
Mediterranean Lines, and were broken Peter Sommerville, Greenock

CHARTROOM
SHIPS LIBRARY
bookof
themonth
Queen Victoria: A
Townsend his main customers
on the cross-Channel
Photographic Journey Thoresen: The routes from Dover.
The Townsend
Chris Frame and Fleet Book service commenced
Rachelle Cross Miles Cowsill and Marc- in 1930 using a small
Queen Victoria was the first in a Antoine Bombail ferry, which could
new breed of Cunard ships, with Published by Ferry Publications, carry just 23 cars and
her design enhanced to give her the PO Box 33, Ramsey, Isle of Man 168 passengers. However, operations who did the illustrations in the
ability to cross the North Atlantic in IM99 4LP; tel 01624 898445, info@ expanded from there, with new and Cunard – The Fleet Book. The fine
bad weather. She was introduced lilypublications.co.uk, 96-page larger ships being acquired and put drawings bring the ships to life, and
to service in 2007, since when she hardback, price £16.96 plus p&p into service. The new green-hulled the potted histories of the vessels
has had a notable career with Royal Free Enterprise that was introduced in include details of what became
engagements, tandem Atlantic This new illustrated fleet book 1962 was unique compared to other of them after their service with
crossings and Gala-world cruises. encompasses the entire Townsend ships then operating out of Dover, Townsend Thoresen.
This 120-page softback book tells Thoresen fleet from The Forde to and in her first season carried 55,000 The book also includes ships
the story of the ship’s first decade Pride of Dover. The publication cars. New ships were built during the from the fleet of the Atlantic Steam
of service in photo, and includes a includes a brief history of this 1960s and new routes opened as the Navigation Company, which later
foreword by Captain Andrew Hall famous company up to 1987. company expanded, using a series of became part of this famous British
and an afterword by Commodore Detailed information is given ships named Free Enterprise, which brand of travel, and the company’s
Christopher Rynd. It is illustrated with for each ship in its fleet, with reinvented the cross-Channel ferry. brief Belgian partners, RMT. For
a fine selection of colour photographs photographs and illustrations of The principal ships that the anyone interested in the history of
taken by the authors from every each. The company was established company employed are illustrated in cross-Channel ferries, and with an
area of the ship, and has been fully in the 1920s by Stuart M. Townsend, the books with specially commissioned eye for fine illustrations, this well-
updated after the ship’s extensive who targeted the early motorists as drawings by Marc-Antoine Bombail, produced book is a must. NL
2017 refit. The book is ideal if you
want to see on board a cruise ship, as serving line on the Australian trade of a previous British naval attack.
it details every onboard area. NL via the Cape, Thompson’s Aberdeen Gloucester had been dangerously low
• Published by The History Press, The was synonymous with the highest on anti-aircraft ammunition, and her
Mill, Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Gloucs professional standards. crew were exhausted before being
GL5 2QG, tel 01453 883300, www. With such jewels as the clipper despatched from the main fleet, with
thehistorypress.co.uk, price £19.99. Thermopylæ and with the first only HMS Fiji as company.
successful commercial application of When her ammunition was finally
triple expansion in their first steamer, exhausted, she suffered several direct
Aberdeen, the Aberdeen company’s hits and was soon ablaze from stem to
name navigated commercial takeovers stern. The fact that Allied destroyers
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Company, Shaw Savill and Albion, recalled from the rescue mission was
Royal Mail Group and Furness Withy, a serious omission of fleet command,
before becoming all but forgotten HMS Gloucester: which ended up costing the lives of
when it closed in 1957. The Untold Story hundreds of men.
In this lavish volume, author Ken Otter This book explores the ship’s
Peter King seeks to bring this once history and operational successes from
prominent shipping line’s rich history More than 700 men were lost when her launching in 1937 to her tragic
The Aberdeen Line to light. It describes the development the cruiser HMS Gloucester was demise. It includes vivid first-hand
Peter H. King of the company chronologically, sunk by German bombers during the accounts from the surviving crew, and
with many illustrations of the ships Battle of Crete in May 1941. Yet many the author’s painstaking research has
Founded in 1825 by the 21-year- that served the line. There are line sailors managed to escape from the revealed the awful truth about one
old George Thompson Jnr, the drawings and paintings of the ships, stricken ship and clung to rafts and of the Royal Navy’s worst disasters
Aberdeen Line developed over 100 as well as many fine photographs. The flotsam, but it was almost 24 hours during World War II. NH
years into one of the most respected appendices include detailed fleet lists before rescue ships appeared. • Published by Pen & Sword Books
shipping lines in the world. Initially and a family tree. NL By that time many had succumbed Ltd, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South
engaged in the UK coastal, Baltic, • Published by The History Press, The to injuries and the cold, leaving just Yorkshire, S70 2AS, tel 01226 734555;
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settling to become the longest- thehistorypress.co.uk, price £25. own men who had been victims £14.99 plus postage.

NEXT REMEMBERING
CLASSIC LINERS
ISSUE FROM A BYGONE AGE
Focussing on the venerable Union-Castle
ON liner Dunnottar Castle that became
SALE the cruise ship Victoria, the ‘ten pound
APRIL passage’ scheme to Australia, and New
20 Zealand Shipping Co’s Hororata
DUNNOTTAR CASTLE | TEN POUND POMS | HORORATA
CELEBRITY ECLIPSE • A look at the creation of Celebrity Cruises,

with an in-depth report on Celebrity Eclipse.
CARGO TO HAWAII • The ships that carry cargo from the USA to
the Hawaiin Islands, and the newbuilds currently on order.
POMPEY POWER • The collier Pompey Power (pictured), which
became the cargo vessel Hamen and is currently being restored.
WORLD SHIP SOCIETY

Founded in 1947, the World Ship Society has some 2,000 members worldwide who are interested in ships, past and present. Its monthly journal “Marine News” and its naval
companion ”Warships” are bywords for accurate information.
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MARINE NEWS SUPPLEMENT - The monthly digital supplement to ‘Marine News’ contains supplementary photographs Fleet Lists and long feature articles covering modern and historical subjects.
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(UK), £13 (Europe) & £20 (RoW). Payment may be made by GBP cheque or credit card. For the latter please state whether Visa or Mastercard and quote card number, exact name on card, card expiry date, card
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BRANCHES - The World Ship Society has over 50 local branches worldwide which hold monthly meetings involving slide shows, Powerpoint presentations and illustrated talks given by invited speakers and
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www.worldshipsociety.org
Next Issue_MAY18_NL.indd 65 06/03/2018 10:54

e w
A vi idgefro m
the Br
THE LAST WORD
John Periam and Geoffrey Lee what the Navy calls a ‘specialist also includes constant monitoring
went on board the Fisheries navigator’ – a deep specialist in of our waters. With the UK being
Patrol Vessel HMS Mersey and maritime and military navigation. a maritime nation, the RN is
met Lt Cdr George Storton RN, charged with protecting the UK’s very tough times too, especially
who talked about his career and WHY DID YOU JOIN THE interests in home waters. Fishery during the winter months when
the RN Fisheries Squadron. ROYAL NAVY? protection is our main remit, and we are conducting coastal patrols
I come from a small fishing we work closely with the Marine in high sea states.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU community in South Devon, Management Organisation
BEEN COMMANDING where my parents ran a yacht (MMO) and other agencies, such CAN YOU TELL US
OFFICER OF MERSEY? chandlery business, so from as the UK Border Force and MCA. ABOUT HMS MERSEY?
I joined the Royal Navy in an early age the sea played an We stay in regular contact with HMS Mersey is part of the Fishery
2003 and took command in important part in my life. Prior these organisations to provide Protection Squadron, the oldest
December 2016 while HMS to joining the RN, I spent a few a coordinated approach to the Squadron in the RN. She is able
Mersey was deployed in the years teaching sailing in the Med monitoring of UK waters. to spend up to 320 days at sea
Eastern Mediterranean. I have and the Caribbean. I have always through a crew rotation system. We
been involved with many enjoyed life at sea and had an WHAT IS THE BEST PART have four ships in our Squadron:
deployments, from the Arabian interest in navigation, so decided OF YOUR WORK? three patrol UK waters and one
Gulf to the Baltic. I have served to join the Navy. I live in Sussex, Working with the Ship’s Company operates in the South Atlantic.
on HMS Blyth, Argyll, Dauntless, am married to Elizabeth and of an operational warship has to Mersey has a displacement of
Puncher (on the Thames have two children, who support be the highlight. My people are 1,680 tonnes and is propelled by
during the Olympics) and Iron me in what I do. young enthusiastic professionals two Rushton diesel engines giving
Duke in the South Atlantic. and come from a variety of a top speed of 22 knots and a
My last posting was on HMS WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN backgrounds. We work together range of 5,000 miles. The crew
Ocean, the helicopter carrier, ROLES ON BOARD? towards a common aim where complement is 45, although we
as force navigator. Ocean led As Commanding Officer, I am we get to see tangible results; normally operate with 30.
multinational exercises operating tasked to provide Mersey to the seeing smiles at the end of a long
as flagship, including the largest Fleet ready to conduct Fishery but rewarding day is certainly the WHAT ABOUT THE
NATO exercise in ten years. I am Protection around UK waters. This best part of my job. There can be SHIP’S FUTURE?
Our exciting new capability is
our improved sea boats, two
Pacific 24 RIBs, which give us
an increased capacity and have
a top speed of up to 42 knots
from jet drive diesel inboard
engines. They are also able to
work in higher sea states and
more challenging conditions.
Mersey is nearing the end of her
time with the Royal Navy and
is approaching her final year in
service. The present River class
will be replaced over the next
two years by the Batch II River
class Offshore Patrol Vessel. The
first one of these, HMS Forth, is
undertaking sea trials and arrived
at Portsmouth for the first time
on 26 February. The new ships
will provide our Squadron with
greater capabilities.
From The Bridge_May18_NL.indd 66 06/03/2018 11:54

C E L E B R AT I N G
YEARS (1917-2017)
Supporting
seafarers
in need and
their families
since 1917
To find out about our work

or to make a donation
visit www.seafarers.uk
phone 020 7932 0000 or
email seafarers@seafarers.uk
Seafarers UK (King George’s Fund for Sailors) is a Registered Charityy, no. 226446 in Eng
gland and Wales,,
incorporate
ed under Royal Charter. Registered in Scotland, no. SC038191

Biggest: THE Ship in The World

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IRISH FERRIES • JONATHAN SWIFT OFF TO SPAIN

THE BIGGEST PROFILE OF

COMMODORE 70 YEARS OF SERVICE

MAY 18_mh.indd 1 07/03/2018 16:32

BIGGEST OF THEM ALL

KELSEYmedia www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 3

Page3_editorial_May 2018_NL.indd 3 07/03/2018 09:34

12 CRUISE 20 NEWS FEATURE

ALSO AVAILABLE 14 NAVAL 22 NEWS FEATURE

SUBSCRIBE TODAY • See page 24 for more info

CONTENTS May 2018_NL.indd 4 07/03/2018 09:35

Profile of the French liner Pasteur, which became 62 PORTS OF CALL

56 VRONSKIY PROFILE 64 SHIPS LIBRARY

MAY 2018 • Volume 53 • No.5

CONTENTS May 2018_NL.indd 5 06/03/2018 11:31

NEW FYLDE LIFESAVER REM MAKE A COME BACK

Mistral. All are being renamed

6 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 6 06/03/2018 11:41

NEW RIVER BERTH AT TILBURY FIXED LINK

www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 7

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 7 06/03/2018 11:42

OFF TO THE BREAKERS

STINK BUGS ON BOARD

8 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 8 06/03/2018 11:42

44K" LBGIGG 44K" LE-I$$

44K" LC+IGG 44K" LBGIGG

J1M27 !%$##" 2M 47:7Q07 .M14 8Q3:M1N2

Coastal Shipping 400 NORE ROAD, PORTISHEAD, BRISTOL, BS20 8EZ

Q#'-R =VQ- Each bi-monthly issue includes

SHIP SHOW C+B1/+(<3+(& 53//1A23+71+BA

BI/L,<!L #4 B/4/OL GIISU4D C/*S /, Q/UOU4D :

10 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 10 06/03/2018 11:43

FRENCH OPERATOR’S CONTRACT of Master on Spirit of France. The

www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 11

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 11 06/03/2018 11:43

BRIEF NEWS Deutschland will continue to carry German

AIDA CRUISES • The ﬁrst of the

12 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 12 06/03/2018 11:44

NUMBERS DOWN IN 2017

www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 13

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 13 06/03/2018 11:44

AIMING FOR NEW

HMS Ocean heads to Marchwood for

14 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 14 06/03/2018 11:45

EUROPEAN ALLIANCE MK1

ROYAL NAVY • HMS Albion

FRIGATES EUROPEAN ALLIANCE MK2 subject of an ongoing national

SELECTION BELGIAN NAVY

www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 15

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 15 06/03/2018 11:45

The tanker Ocana (1999), pictured in

OFF FOR RECYCLING and managed by Lighthouse

TANKERS & Shipping Co (STASCO) as

16 • May 2018 • www.shipsmonthly.com

Waterfront May 2018_NL.indd 16 06/03/2018 11:45

FIRST ICE CLASS 1A

NEWBUILD FOR SCOTLINE

www.shipsmonthly.com • May 2018 • 17