MSC MARIA ELENA

The MSC Maria Elena was built this year at Samsung Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries and is with its teu capacity of 9,200 one of the biggest container vessels sailing and the biggest vessel of the Mediterranean Shipping Company. The ship is 336 meters long, 43 meters wide and has a deadweight tonnage of 110,000. The Maria Elena is currently sailing on the MSC's 'Silk Express', the Far East/China - Northwestern Europe route.

The MSC Maria Elena will enter Rotterdam later this afternoon and will visit the ECT Delta Terminal. The vessel's last port of call was Antwerp.

BERGELAND

Today's SOTD is the Bergeland (IMO:9002776, Port of registry: Stavanger, Norway) that replaces the Berge Stahl while it's out of service for maintenance. The Bergeland is a bit smaller than the Berge Stahl, but still the second largest bulk carrier owned by Bergesen Worldwide Shipping with its deadweight of 322,941 tons. This in 1992 built, 338 meters long, 55 meters wide, ore carrier has a draught of 23 meters, has 7 holds and hatches and was built by Hyundai Heavy Ind. Co. Ltd. Ulsan, Korea.
The Bergeland transports iron ore from the 'Companhia Vale do Rio Doce' mines in the eastern part of the Amazone, Brasil. From Rotterdam the iron ore is transported in barges to the steel mills of ThyssenKrupp and Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann in Germany.

The Bergeland has arrived this morning at the EECV terminal, Rotterdam from Ponta da Madeira, Brasil.

POLAR QUEEN

The Polar Queen (IMO: 9230414, Port of Registry: Bergen, Norway)is one of the most advanced flexlay and subsea construction ships available. She is owned and operated by Rieber Shipping ASA, Norway. The vessel is equipped with a 300 mt offshore crane, a deck suitable for a EH101 helicopter, has 2 work class ROVs installed, 2 x 1600 mt carousels with heavy duty spooling system below work deck, has a layspeed of up to 1000 m/hr and can provide accomodation to a maximum of 117 persons. The latest news about the Polar Queen is that Stolt Offshore entered into an agreement with Rieber Shipping to charter the the ship for a firm period of 6 years, plus one 3 year option thereafter. The Polar Queen will be modified to make her suit Stolt's operational requirements. Capabilities will include flexlay installation and subsea structure installation in water depths of 2000 m and beyond. It is 146 metres long, 27 metres wide and has a clear working deck of 1660 m2.

The Polar Queen is scheduled to arrive this evening at Damen Shipyards, Schiedam, where it ill be refit as mentioned before.

TOISA POLARIS

The Toisa Polaris (IMO: 9187526, Port of Registry: London) is a multi-purpose offshore support vessel, built in 1999 by Van der Giessen, Netherlands. Offering a primary dive support capability, the vessel has the ability to perform a variety of offshore and subsea operations. To perform these operations in an accurate way, the Toisa Polaris is equipped with different state-of-the-art positioning systems. Furthermore the vessel is equipped with a 150 tonne SWL deck crane, a 18 man twin-bell saturation diving system rated to 300 metres, a ROV spread comprising one workclass ROV and one observation class ROV with a full suite of support facilities and a helideck which has a D value of 19.5 and is approved for Super Puma helicopters.
She has a length overall of 114 metres, is 22 metres wide, has 4 engine of 2680 kW each and provides accomodation to a maximum of 104 persons.

The Toisa Polaris is scheduled to enter the Port of Rotterdam later this day. She will take berth at the EECV quay in the Calandkanaal.

COSCO BEIJING

The Cosco Beijing (IMO: 9308508, Port of Registry: Piraeus) is one of the largest container vessels nowadays, together with its sisters: Cosco Hellas, Cosco Ningbo, Cosco Yantian and Cosco Guangzhou. Only the in 2005 built Maersk S-class vessels and three in 2006 for CSCL built containervessels are larger. The vessel is 350 metres long, almost 43 metres wide, has a deadweight tonnage of 107,000 and a teu capacity of 9,450. The Cosco Beijing is currently sailing on the AE1-loop which connects Asia and Europe. She will arrive later this afternoon at the ECT Terminal, Rotterdam, with the last port of call being Singapore. The vessel will leave the following day for Felixstowe, Hamburg and Antwerp before returning to the Far East.

Since the vessel is so new, it was difficult to find a good photo. Above you can find the press release. For a bigger (foggy) picture look at Shipspotting.com

JUPITER DIAMOND

Source: Scheepvaartwest

Today's SotD is the Ro/Ro Car carrier Jupiter Diamond (IMO: 7718462, Port of Registry: Singapore). The Jupiter Diamond is capable of transporting a maximum of 5,430 cars (high car capacity: 2,481), is 214 metres long, almost 30 metres wide and has a depth of about 28 metres, with a maximum draught of only 8 metres. She was built in 1978 by Mitsubishi, Japan and is currently owned by the Nippon Yushen Kaisha Line (NYK Line) transporting cars of Japanese origin all around the world. The Jupiter Diamond will arrive this afternoon at the Rotterdam Car Terminal from Antwerp, Belgium.

GUDRUN MAERSK

Until the delivery of the Emma Maersk a few months ago, the Gudrun Maersk (IMO: 9302877, Port of Registry: Svenborg, Denmark) was, together with its sisters Gjertrud Maersk, Gerd Maersk, Grete Maersk, Gunvor Maersk and Georg Maersk, the longest containership currently sailing. The Gudrun Maersk is 367 meters long, 43 meters wide and is capable of transporting 8.500 teu. With these capacities the Gudrun Maersk comes to a deadweight tonnage of 115.700.

The vessel entered the Maersk fleet in June 2005 and was built by Odense Steel Shipyard, Denmark. Currently this Post-Panamax ship is sailing on the Far East - Europe line on which it visits, amongst others, Singapore, Kobe, Hong Kong, Felixstowe, Bremerhaven and of course Rotterdam. The Gudrun Maersk will enter Rotterdam later this afternoon from Felixstowe and will take berth at the terminal. The next port of call will be Bremerhaven. She will return within about one week in Rotterdam.

RHINE FOREST

The Rhine Forest (IMO: 7125706) is a so-called 'LASH-ship' (for an explanation see the Spruce which was SOTD on August 16). The Liberian flagged ship is 237 meters long, 33 meters wide and a draught of 12 meters. The vessel is equipped with a 500-ton gantry crane to lift and stow 83 barges. Each barge is 18.26 meters long and 9.16 meters wide and has a capacity of 385 metric tons. She was built in 1972 by Cockerill Mechanical Industries, Belgium.

The Rhine Forest will enter Rotterdam this morning and will moor at the Waalhaven for a few days. The vessel will then leave for New Orleans and will return to Rotterdam next month. For more great pictures of the Rhine Forest see the (Dutch) site of Peter Bolhuis: http://members.lycos.nl/scheepvaart/fourdescphotos3.html

NORMAND CUTTER

The Normand Cutter (IMO: 9231535, flag:
Isle of Man) is a pipelaying construction crane vessel owned by Solstad Offshore ASA. She was built in 2001 by Maritim Ltd, Gdansk, Poland and converted from a cable laying and repair vessel to its current form in 2001 by Ulstein Verft AS, Norway.
The vessel is equipped with a number of features for a wide range of offshore operations like:

• Laying of flexible pipes
• Lay rate of up to 1000 m/hr.
• Heavy lift crane 300 t for sub-sea installation and construction work
• Large deck for offshore construction operations
• Three permanent locations and two temporary locations for work ROVs and control vans
• Operation in both shallow and deep water
• Range 6000 n.m. at service speed
• Continuous operation at sea for 40 days

It is 127 metres long, 27 metres wide, has a helicopter deck dimensioned for the Super Puma AS 332 L2 and provides accomodation for a total of 114 persons. The vessel is equipped with all the latest manoeuvering and communication devices for an accurate positioning.

The Normand Cutter entered Rotterdam this morning, coming in from Peterhead, United Kingdom, and is currently berthed at Damen Shipyards.

ALBERT MAERSK

The Albert Maersk (IMO:9260469, Port of Registry: Copenhagen) is a Post-Panamax, Series S, container vessel owned by A.P. Møller-Maersk. The vessel was built in 2004 by Odense Steel Shipyard, Denmark as the 25th in line of 29 almost identical ships. She is 352 metres long, 43 metres wide, has a maximum draught of 15 metres and a maximum official teu capacity of 6,600 but believed to carry a maximum of up to 10,000 teu. For whatever reason, Maersk is always vague about their teu capacities.

The Albert Maersk is scheduled to arrive this afternoon at the APM terminal, Rotterdam from Bremerhaven. She is scheduled to depart tomorrow morning with destination Algeciras. From Algeciras the Albert Maersk will set sail for the Far East. She will return to Rotterdam within two months.

APOLLONIA

The Apollonia (IMO: 9246645, Port of Registry: Piraeus) is an in 2003 by Samsung Heavy Industries built crude carrier. The vessel (ex.name: Front Hawk) has a deadweight tonnage of 308,200, is 333 metres long, 58 metres wide, has a maximum draught of 21 metres and is capable of transporting 2,202,129 barrels of crude oil. It is operated by Neda Maritime Agency and owned by Apollonia Transportation E.N.E. The Apollonia is scheduled to arrive later this evening at the TEAM terminal, Rotterdam, from Sidi Kerir Terminal, Egypt.

Photo by: Huib Trommel

OOSTERSCHELDE

The three-masted topsail schooner 'Oosterschelde' (IMO: 5347221, Port of Registry: Rotterdam) is the last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century. As the largest restored Dutch sailing ship the 'Oosterschelde' is a monument for Dutch shipbuilding and maritime navigation under sail. The vessel was built in the Netherlands in 1918 at the order of the Rotterdam shipping company H.A.A.S. As a freighter the ship could carry some hundred tons of cargo. The vessel was restored between 1990 and 1992 and since then it has made a voyage around the world and several other long voyages. Next to these voyages the vessel is also available for chartering.

Photo by: Pieter Nijdeken

The vessel is 50 metres long, 7.5 meters wide and has a mast heigth from the keel of 36 metres. The Oosterschelde has a sail area of 891 square metres and is also equipped with a 6 cylinder Deutz, 360 pk engine. The Oosterschelde has a maximum capacity of 120 passengers for daytrips (at sea: 36) and 24 on longer voyages. The accomodation exists of 8 two-person cabins and 2 four-person cabins. One board are 5 toilets and two showers. More information can be found at: www.oosterschelde.nl

EVER CHIVALRY

The Ever Chivalry (IMO: 9293791) is a 334 meters long, 42.5 meters wide container ship that has been built this year by Samsung Heavy Industries in Seoul, Korea. The Chivalry is capable of carrying more than 8000 teu and is one of the biggest container ships at this moment with a deadweigth tonnage of 98,700.

The vessel is owned by the German Conti Reederei and is sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. The vessel will arrive Saturday evening at the ECT terminal, Rotterdam with the last port of call in Hamburg. The next port to visit is Thamesport. The Ever Chivalry sails on the route between the Far East and Europe and will visit Rotterdam every two months.

WEST EPSILON

The West Epsilon (IMO: 9002570, Port of Registry: Panama) is a deepwater jack-up for unrestricted North Sea service up to 120 meter depth and capable of drilling up to 9,100 metres. It was built in 1993 by Keppel Fels, Singapore and modified in 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2002. The platform is 78 metres long, 90 metres wide and provides accomodation to a maximum of 115 persons.

The West Epsilon has drilled for Elf UK, Elf Norway, Statoil, TotalFinaElf Norway, Nam Netherlands and has recently drilled at the Norwegian Valhall North Flank for BP.

The West Epsilon is scheduled to arrive this afternoon at the Keppel Verolme terminal, Rotterdam and is towed by the tugs Bourbon Dolphin and Strilborg.

TAKLIFT 7

The Taklift 7 (IMO: 7829273, Port of Registry: Rotterdam) is a seagoing floating sheerlegs vessel owned by SMIT Heavy Lift Europe. The sheerlegs has a length of 72 metres, is 30 metres wide and has a minimum sailing height of 49 metres. It has a propulsion of 3 x 460 kW and has two bow thrusters of 368 kW each. The longboom can reach a height of 160 metres above deck and has a lifting capacity of 1,200 tons.

The vessel was built in 1976 by HDW Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG, Kiel, Germany as the Hebelift 3. In 1994 the vessel was acquired by Smit and named Taklift 7.

The Taklift 7 has entered Rotterdam this morning and will berth at the Waalhaven, Rotterdam.

BIBBY PROGRESS

Today's SotD is the accomodation barge Bibby Progress. The Bibby Progress is a 'hotel' specification accommodation barge built to a high standard consisting of 4 decks with public and private rooms. Public rooms on the ground floor and private bedrooms on decks 1, 2 and 3. The barge was built in 1976 and the accommodation was built in 1990. The vessel is 91 metres long and 27 metres wide. The accomodation is fully airconditioned and consists of 155 bedrooms each of 24m² with private en suite toilet, shower and wash basin. Facilities on board are:

• Restaurant seating 250 persons
• Fitted galley catering for up to 500 persons.
• Dry and refrigerated storage rooms
• Lounge
• Conference and Meeting Rooms
• Bar and Games Room
• Main Laundry and 3 Guest Laundries
• Entrance Lobby and Main Reception desk.

The vessel has following shore connections which are available at port and starboard side:

• Electricity
• Fresh water
• Sewage
• Fuel oil
• Fire main
• Fire alarm system
• Telephone

The Bibby Progress will berth at the Merwehaven, Rotterdam and will service as a floating detentioncentre there.

More info about these accomodation barges can be found at http://www.bibby-ac.com

Some interior pictures:

HANSEATIC EXPLORER

The Hanseatic Explorer (IMO: 9346110, flag: Antigua & Barbuda) is a bit of everything. It is a yacht, passenger ship, trainingvessel and exhibitionship at the same time. The vessel is suitable for people who have a great interest in shipping, people who are real adventurers, almost everyone that likes ships and wants a bit of adventure in his life.

The Hanseatic Explorer is 48 metres long, 10 metres wide and has a capacity of 12 trainees and 12 passengers. It is classified with Ice class E3 according to Germanischer Lloyd and is equipped with a state of the art anti-rolling system. Due to the Ice classification the ship also sets sail for the Polar regions.

Currently the Hanseatic Explorer is on route from Hamburg to Le Havre and for a stopover at the Parkkade in Rotterdam. From Le Havre the vessel will set sail for Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean.

Should you be interested in a trip with the Hanseatic Explorer. Prices start at € 5,500. More info at: http://www.oceanstar.de/hanseatic_explorer.

RAMBIZ

After a few days without any SotD's finally a new one. Today's SotD is the Rambiz. The Rambiz is a crane vessel equipped with two cranes that can both reach to a lift height of 90 meters. It is suitable for platform installation and removal, wreckage removal and other special heavy lifting tasks and is fully certified for ocean passage with the cranes fully erected. The cranes can be loaded independent or simultaneous with a maximum load capacity of 3300 tons.
The platform of the vessel is 85 meters long, 44 meters wide, is propelled by 4 units of 2200 kW and can accomodate up to 28 persons. The ship is owned by the Belgium based company Scaldis Salvage & Marine Contractors and was one of the cranes used in salvaging the Tricolor in 2004. For more details see: http://www.tricolorsalvage.com/.


The Rambiz has entered Rotterdam this morning accompanied by the tug Hellas (IMO: 7419690, Flag: St. Vincent & the Grenadines) and will berth at the Keppel Verolme terminal.

OCEAN EXPLORER

The Ocean Explorer (IMO: 7805239, Port of registry: Nassau, Bahamas) is a seismographic research ship owned by PGS Geophysical AS that is capable of detecting all kinds of underground fields, such as oil fields by using 3D techniques (For more info, also look at the Ramform Explorer and the Atlantic Explorer). The vessel was built in 1979 by Ulstein Verft AS, Norway and was formerly known as Tender Comet, Far Comet and Amy Chouest. The vessel is the oldest vessel of the PGS fleet and also one of the smaller ones with its length of 80 meters and a width of 18 meters.

The Ocean Explorer has entered Rotterdam this morning and is currently berthed at the Waalhaven.

ACERGY FALCON

The Acergy Falcon (IMO: 7409401, ex.name: Seaway Falcon) is a pipe-laying vessel owned by Stolt Offshore Shipping. Flexible flowlines can be stored below decks in a 1600 ton capacity powered carousel or on reels on deck. She is equipped with two work class ROVs which can undertake pipeline tie-in work thereby giving her a world wide operating capability. The vessel is 153 meters long (162 including ramp), 21 meters wide and is equipped with a helideck suitable for Sikorsky S61 and a GPS dynamic positioning system. She can accomodate 141 persons and was built in 1976 by IHC Gusto, Holland.

The Acergy Falcon is scheduled to enter Rotterdam later this evening. She will berth at the Mammoet terminal, Schiedam.