ESTELLE MAERSK

The Estelle Maersk (IMO: 9321495, Port of Registry: Hellerup, Denmark) is, together with its sisters (amongst which are the 'Emma Maersk' and 'Eleonora Maersk'), the largest containership ever with a total teu capacity 11,000 teu (of which 1,000 forty foot reefer containers) according to the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group. A total capacity of 13,500 teu is also possible when containers are not fully loaded. This capacity is possible by stacking the containers in 22 rows wide. Maersk calculates the teu capacity with loaded containers. The vessel is 397 meters long, 56 meters wide, has a depth of 30 meters and a deadweigth of 156,907 tons. Amazingly, all this size and capacity requires a crew of only 13. The specially designed Wärtsilä diesel engine delivers 80,000 kW. A waste heat recovery system is installed to optimise the use of the energy produced, so that the engine can deliver up to 90,000 kW. The vessels in this series will also establish new standards for safety and environmental responsibility. Environmentally-safe silicone paint, for example, is used on the hull, below the water line, reducing water resistance, and thereby fuel consumption, by 1,200 tons per year. The ship was built by Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd in 2006.The new MSC vessels, amongst which is the MSC Danit are smaller in dimensions, but can transport more TEU than the PS-class vessels of Maersk, due to their smart design (which doesn't give the vessels the best looks).
The Estelle Maersk is scheduled to arrive this evening at the APM terminal, Rotterdam from Algeciras. Within 36 hours, the vessel will set sail for Bremerhaven on the APM AE1 line. She will return within about 7 weeks to Rotterdam.

EXPLORER

The Explorer (IMO: 8116051, Port of Registry: Willemstad, Dutch Antilles) was originally a barge carrier built in 1984 as the Pavel Antokolskiy. She was converted in 2003 to a yacht carrier for Dockwise Yacht Transport. The Explorer is 159 metres long, 31 metres wide, has a submerged draught of 11 metres, a gross tonnage of 19,453 and a net tonnage of 10,763. She has a deck space of 2823 m2 and is propelled by two 2780 kW Wartsila Vasa diesel engines which give the vessel a service speed of 9 knots. The yacht carrier was specially converted to safely accommodate large and small sailing and motor yachts within its 10-metre high side walls during transport.

The Explorer arrived this morning at the Waalhaven, Rotterdam carrying the river cruise vessel Viking Seine on board.

MSC FRANCESCA

The MSC Francesca (IMO: 9401116, Port of Registry: Panama) is a 364 meters long, 46 meters wide containervessel with a deadweight of 171,400. She has a maximum Teu capacity of 11,300. The MSC Francesca was built in 2008 at Hyundai Samho, Korea and is propelled by a B&W 12K98ME 58,344 kW engine. She is operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on her Silk Express service between the Far East and North-Western Europe.

The MSC Francesca is scheduled to arrive later this evening at the ECT Delta Terminal, Rotterdam

EDITH MAERSK

The Edith Maersk (IMO: 9321548, Port of Registry: Roskilde, Denmark) is, together with her sisters (amongst which are the 'Emma Maersk' and 'Eleonora Maersk'), the largest containership ever with a total teu capacity 11,000 teu (of which 1,000 forty foot reefer containers) according to the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group. Rumours are that a total capacity of 13,500 teu is also possible. This capacity is possible by stacking the containers in 22 rows wide. The vessel is 397 meters long, 56 meters wide, has a depth of 30 meters and a deadweight of 156,907 tons. Amazingly, all this size and capacity requires a crew of only 13. The specially designed Wärtsilä diesel engine delivers 80,000 kW. A waste heat recovery system is installed to optimise the use of the energy produced, so that the engine can deliver up to 90,000 kW. The vessels in this series will also establish new standards for safety and environmental responsibility. Environmentally-safe silicone paint, for example, is used on the hull, below the water line, reducing water resistance, and thereby fuel consumption, by 1,200 tons per year. The ship was launched at Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd on March 3rd 2007.

Source: Shipspotting.com Photo by: Claus Michelsen

The Edith Maersk will arrive this afternoon at the APM terminal, Rotterdam from the port of Algeciras. She will stay in port for about 36 hours. The vessel will then set sail for Bremerhaven on the APM AE1 line. She will return within about 7 weeks to Rotterdam.

MSC BEATRICE

Today's ship of the day is the recently delivered MSC Beatrice (IMO: 9399002, Port of Registry: Panama). This container vessel is 366 meters long and 51 meters wide. Due to her design with the superstructure midships, she is capable of transporting about 14,000 TEU, more than Maersk's PS-class (amongst which is the Emma Maersk). One can argue about the looks of this vessel, however the design ensures for better stability and lower trim for higher speed, when the ship is fully loaded. The main engine of the container ship is MAN B&W 12K98MC-C with full output power of 72,240 kW. This power is enough for the ship to reach maximum speed of 25 knots. The MSC Beatrice is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company on their Far-East to Europe loop.


The MSC Beatrice arrived this morning at the ECT Delta terminal, Rotterdam from Felixstowe and will depart tomorrow.

Click here for the current position of the MSC Beatrice

LIBRA STAR

The Libra Star (IMO: 9030943, Port of Registry: Monrovia, Liberia) is a very large crude carrier (VLCC) owned by Vela International Marine, Dubai and operated by Saudi Petroleum Overseas, UK. The vessel was built in 1993 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan. She is 332.5 metres long, 58 metres wide and has a maximum summer draught of 21.6 metres. These dimensions give the vessel a total cargo capacity of 328,040 cubic metres. The vessel is equipped with 3 cargo pumps operating at 5,000 cu.m./hour.

The Libra Star arrived last night at the Team Terminal Rotterdam. She will be discharging her cargo of crude oil for about 24 hours.

MORITZ

Today we have the tug Moritz (IMO: 9096454, Port of Registry: Brunsbüttel, Germany) as the Ship of the Day. This tug was built in 1971 by Schichau Seebeckwerft, Bremerhaven, Germany as the Neuende. The Neuende was the first of a series of three tugs of the "Klasse 724", especially built for the German navy. Her two sisters "Heppens" and "Ellerbeck" where sold to the greek navy in the 1990's. The vessel is 26 metres long, 7 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 133. Her 588 kW engine gives the vessel a maximum speed of 11 knots and a bollard pull of 14 tons. The tug is currently owned by Hans Schramm & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. The Moritz is scheduled to enter the Port of Rotterdam this afternoon.

Photo by: Frank Schlünsen Source: Shipspotting.com

OHM LEADER

The OHM Leader (IMO: 8906781, Port of Registry: Nassau, Bahama's) is a seismic survey vessel owned and operated by Seatrans AS, Norway. The vessel was built in 1990 as the pallet carrier Nornews Leader and converted to her current form in 2008. The vessel has cabins for up to 50 persons persons in en suite cabins, on board for up to three months at sea. Comfortable lounges, data networks and entertainment systems makes a comfortable environment for the crew, as well as office and conference facilities for an efficient work environment. The vessel is equipped with heli-deck for helicopters up to Super Puma L2. The vessel has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology for positioning, satellite communications and efficient performance of the CSEMI survey. She is 115.5 meters long, 17.5 meters wide and has a maximum draught of 6.3 meters. She has a maximum speed of 15 knots and a service speed of 14 knots at 13,5 t HFO/Day. The vessel is propelled by a Bergen Diesel BRM-8, 4076 BHP engine and is equipped with a 440 kW bowthruster and a 1,000 kW Azimuth Rolls Royce thruster.

The OHM Leader will arrive this morning at the Waalhaven Rotterdam.

Click here for the current position of the OHM Leader

ALSTER N

The Alster N (IMO: 8418162, Port of Registry: Panama, Ex.name: Alster Ore) is a bulk carrier owned by General Ore Carrier Corporation III limited, Panama and managed by Neu Seeschiffahrt GmbH, Germany. The vessel was built in 1988 by China Shipbuilding Corporation, Taiwan. Her sister vessel is the Ruhr N. Other bulk carriers managed by Neu Seeschiffahrt are: Faith N, Eva N and Alfred N. The Alster N is 340 metres long, 57 metres wide and has a maximum draught of 22 metres. All these dimensions ensure a deadweight tonnage of 305,893.

The Alster N is scheduled to enter the Port of Rotterdam later this evening with the last port of call at Ponta da Madeira, Brasil. She will be berthed at the EMO terminal for discharging iron ore.

FRONT COMANCHE

The Front Comanche (IMO: 9172674, Flag: France) is a VLCC built in 1999 by Hitachy Zosen, Japan and currently operated by Frontline tankers, Bermuda. The vessel is 333 metres long, 60 metres wide and has a maximum draught of 21 metres. These dimensions give the vessel a deadweight tonnage of over 300,000. Her main engine is a MAN / B&W vertical, 2 stroke, single action, direct reversible, crosshead type. She has 5 center tanks and 10 wing tanks which have a volume of 331 523 m3 at 98 %.

The Front Comanche will arrive this afternoon at the Shell Europoort terminal, Rotterdam carrying a load of crude oil from Basrah, Iraq.

SC BALTIC

The SC Baltic (IMO: 7393793, Port of Registry: Nørresundby, Denmark) is an in 1975 built pallet handling vessel with an overall length of 95 metres, a width of 15 metres and a maximum draught of 5.7 metres. The vessel can handle pallets using the two starboard sidedoors together with the four pallet elevators and six on board forklifts. She is also capable of transporting special, project cargo at her open deck. She has a total bale capacity of 6.544 m3 and is propelled by a 2,200 kW MAK engine, which delivers the vessel a service speed of 12 knots.

The SC Baltic is expected to arrive this evening at the Stena terminal, Europoort.