Triple E Maribo Maersk arrives to Felixstowe on a busy day of ultra large vessels 22nd March 2018

Today was a busy day for the Port of Felixstowe as they had 4 ultra large movements. Firstly the MSC Sola arrived during the early hours for Berth 7, the latest world's largest container ship OOCL Scandinavia departed berth 8 then the Maribo Maersk arrived for Berth 9 and finally the OOCL Germany went alongside Berth 8 as the sun began to set.

12 miles out in the North Sea, a Harwich Haven pilot launch with a pilot aboard, goes alongside the Maribo Maersk at a steady 6-7 knots. Once onboard he radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound with a draught of 13.4 from Bremerhaven for Felixstowe via the deep water channel, he believed they were planned portside to Berth 9.  VTS confirms a ready berth, gives the wind speed and direction, height of tide and conflicting traffic.   The pilot requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing, the first tug at 7&8 Buoys to make fast centre lead aft and the second tug outside the harbour on the starboard quarter then once inside the harbour to make fast on the starboard shoulder for a starboard swing off the berth.

Svitzer Deben was the first tug to meet the inbound vessel. A quick swoop around the stern to pick up centre lead aft, Shotley also leaves the harbour swiftly and positions on the starboard quarter just as a backup if Maribo couldn't steer well enough around the 90 degree Beach End turn at the enterance of the harbour.

Once inside the harbour, Shotley comes away from the ships side and heads towards the bow where they make fast on the starboard shoulder.   The pilot uses the engines astern to reduce the headway.  After a few minutes the pilot kicks ahead on one engine to help clear the North Shelf Buoy and give Deben more room to swing the Maribo to starboard.

Shotley stretches their line as they move out on the starboard shoulder and increases power while Deben moves onto the port side to start the swing.  Carefully the the Maribo Maersk swings.  After swinging around 90 degrees the Shotley comes in for a push to maneoeure her closer to the berth.  Deben reappearing on the port side begins to run out of space so they repositions on the starboard side in a check position.

Shotley comes away from the shoulder into a check position aswell as the Maribo slides onto the fenders.

Final tie up 5 and 2 each end with springs first fore and aft.

OOCL Scandinavia departs Felixstowe with three Svitzer tugs 22nd March 2018

OOCL Scandinavia prepares to depart Felixstowe for her next port of Rotterdam with a draught of 13.6 metres. As the last crane booms up the pilot requests the three Svitzer tugs and the mooring gang.

With all ships over 395 metres, most Harwich Haven pilots prefer to have a 3212 escort tug made fast on the aft. The three tugs leave the tug pontoon to assist the pilot with the departure.

Svitzer Deben makes fast centre lead, Svitzer Shotley makes fast on the starboard quarter and Svitzer Sky takes the centre lead forward.  As the tugs backed away in to pull positions, lines fore and aft are slackened to single up. The last of the springs were released.

The pilot begins with the Deben and Sky with easy weights after a while the Shotley increases power on the quarter. All three tugs builds up power to bring the Scandinavia into the channel. Sky increases power on the bow to point the bow towards the Beach End corner.

The Shotley eases and closes up ready to let go and position on the port quarter to assist steering around the Beach End.  Sky also eases up ready to let go from forward
 Once the Sky's line drops in the water they spin around and heads back to the tug pontoon.

As the OOCL Scandinavia approaches the Fort Buoy, the pilot gets the Deben to go out on the starboard quarter for a powered indirect to help steer the vessel around the 90 degree Beach End.

1st call HSL Portsmouth arrives to Felixstowe, two Svitzer tugs assist with starboard swing. 220318

The HSL Portsmouth arrives to the Port of Felixstowe. Two Svitzer tugs assist with a starboard swing off the berth for Felixstowe Berth 6.

Svitzer Sky makes fast centre lead aft while the Svitzer Deben doesn't make fast but pushes on the port shoulder then after the HSL Portsmouth swung around the Deben repositions on the starboard side to push up alongside.

MSC Diana swings to starboard off Felixstowe Berth 9 and departs with two Svitzer tugs. 210318

As Maersk shakes up their 2M routes the MSC Diana on the AE1 route would be the first ship not to call at Southampton as the changes are implemented. With a draught of 12.1 metres the MSC Diana departs Felixstowe heading for her next port of Rotterdam then she will be go to Zeebrugge instead of Southampton.
Currently MSC Diana in the Pegasus class are the largest in MSC's fleet. Due to be delivered 2019-2020 MSC will hold the record again when they release the new 23,500TEU ships.

A Harwich Haven pilot boards the Diana as the last cranes boom up. The drivers begin the long descent down. Two Svitzer tugs were ordered for the departure where a swing would be required off the berth and as she was starboard side to Felixstowe Berth 9. 
Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Sky both head up to the Diana and waits for instructions. Deben takes the centre lead aft while Sky takes the centre lead forward. Once fast both tugs back away into pull positions. Lines aft begin to slacken and the mooring gang released them off the bollards. Springs were the last to be released before the pilot begins with the departure.

Kent builds up to full power to lif the stern off the berth. Up the bow, Sky increases power up to 50% but soon asked reduce then stop. As the stern begins to swing out the pilot goes astern on the main engine. Bow becoming clear Sky darts around to the starboard side and builds up power to swing her to starboard. 

Both tugs swing her around in no time at all. Deben eases up and drops in astern as the pilot comes ahead on the main engine. Sky eases and closes up to let go before swinging around to standby on the port quarter. The pilot says to the tugs that as they were going a bit slow he would use Sky as a primary steerage around the 90 degree Beach End turn.

Approaching the Fort Buoy Sky begins to push up full power at a 45 degree angle on the most aft tug marker to help MSC Diana round the Beach End. Deben stands by just starboard of centre aft incase they needed a little help.  Once the pilot was happy he got the Deben to close up ready to let go. Sky eases up and breaks away from the ships side.  Both tugs then head back into the harbour for the tug pontoon.

Elly Maersk swings to port with three Svitzer tugs to go portside to Felixstowe Berth 9. 160318

The Elly Maersk sails from Antwerp with a draught of 14.1 metres for Felixstowe Berth 9.  As the vessel approaches the Sunk, a Harwich Haven pilot boards the Elly Maersk for the inward passage into the harbour. 

With the pilot onboard he radios Harwich VTS to confirm they were inbound for Felixstowe Berth 9 planned portside to. VTS replies that there was a ready berth planned portside to Felixstowe Berth 9, wind speed & direction and traffic they would encounter.  As the Elly Maersk proceeded inbound via the deep water channel they passed the ultra large Munkebo Maersk.  The pilot radios VTS that he would require three Svitzer tugs for berthing. the first at 7&8 Buoy to make fast centre lead af, second ouside the harbour on the starboard quarter pushing an finally the third inside the harbour on a bow to bow for a port swing off the berth.

Svitzer Kent was the first tug to leave the harbour shortly followed by the Svitzer Sky.  Kent makes fast aft and gets ready for a powered indirect around the 90 degree Beach End turn into the harbour. The pilot gets the Kent to go out on the port side for a powered indirect.  Sky standing by on the starboard quarter gets the nod to push up to help steer Elly into the harbour.

Svitzer Shotley makes their approach as the headway drops off for the centre lead forward.  Coming round onto a Northerly heading the Kent drops in astern and Sky swings around to standby on the port side for a push.  After a few moments the pilot gets the Kent to favour the starboard side to straighten her up for the port swing.  Sky squares up on the tug marker on the port quarter and begins to increase power to start swinging the Elly. Shotley moves onto the port shouder and icreases powe while the Kent moves onto the starboard quarter and increases power.

Almost swung, the pilot gets Sky to come away from the port side around the stern onto the starboard side. The pilot then gets both Kent and Shotley to pull the Elly closer to the berth before moving onto the starboard side in check positions while the Sky pushes up to land her alongside.

Final tie up 3, 2 and 2 each end with springs first.

Ultra large Munkebo Maersk breaks away from Felixstowe Berth 9 with 3 Svitzer tugs 16th March 2018

The ultra large Munkebo Maersk breaks away from Felixstowe Berth 9 with a draught of 15.35 metres.  Three Svitzer tugs assist the heavily laden vessel off the berth for her next port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia via the Suez Canal.

The Harwich Haven pilot boards the deep draughted Munkebo Maersk from the shore side. The plan was to depart at the first available tide as another tide restricted vessel was coming in for Berth 9.

The three tugs and mooring gang were requested. Svitzer Kent, Svitzer Sky and Svitzer Shotley leave the tug pontoon and stands by the Munkebo for instructions.

The pilot wanted the Kent to make fast centre lead aft, Sky make fast starboard quarter and Shotley make fast centre lead forward. A few offshore lines were released before the tugs make fast.  With the tugs backing off into pull positions, the last of the lines were slackened and bought back onboard.

The pilot gets the Shotley to build up to full power while the Kent and Sky builds up their power to ease the Munkebo of the Berth. The pilot begins to use the bow thrusters which released a plume of smoke from the funnels.

Edging steadily into the channel, the pilot gets the Sky to come in to be released and gets them to assist them on the port quarter ready for a push.  Kent eases up and drops in astern ready for powered indirect around the 90 degree Beach End.   Shotley, forward, was the next to be released and asked to stand by on the port side.

Passing the Fort Buoy, the pilot gets the Kent to move out onto the starboard side for a powered indirect, also the Sky is asked to push up on the most aft tug marker to get the deep draughted vessel around the Beach End out in to the North Sea.

Deep draughted APL Miami swiftly leaves Felixstowe Berth 7 with two Svitzer tugs 14th March 2018

The APL Miami departs Felixstowe Berth 7 for her next port of Le Havre. The vessel  sails on the EPIC1 (Europe Pakistan India Consortium) route which links Europe with the Middle East.   With a draft of 14.6 metres she required the height of the tide to depart.

A Harwich Haven pilot onboard requires two Svitzer tugs to help the vessel off the berth. Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Sky both head up to Trinity 7. The Deben goes aft for the centre lead aft and the Sky goes under the bow for the centre lead forward.   Once fast they both move around to the starboard side and push up to hold her alongside while the crew and mooring gang single up.

All line released the tugs back away ready to work.  The pilot begins to increase the power of the tugs to help pull the APL Miami clear of the berth.  Sky is released from forward and spins around to head back to the tug pontoon.   The pilot holds onto the Deben aft for the 90 degree Beach End turn out in to the North Sea.

Ultra large MSC Leanne swings off the berth with three Svitzer tugs for Felixstowe Berth 9. 10.03.18

As the rain began to fall, Svitzer Deben and Svitzer Shotley leave the tug pontoon to head out to meet a previous Guinness World record holder, 19437TEU MSC leanne.  The MSC Leanne had sailed from Colombo in Sri Lanka with a maximum draught of 14.3 metres as she sails as part of the 2M alliance AE1 with Maersk Line. When she approached the Sunk, a deep water berth was not available until the tide restricted Madrid Maersk had left Felixstowe Berth 9. The MSC Leanne was also tide restricted due to a 14.3 metre draught so she had to wait for the next flooding tide. 

Harwich Haven Pilot boards the MSC Leanne at the Sunk. He requests three Svitzer tugs for berthing to go portside to Felixstowe Berh 9. Two tugs outside and the third inside the harbour on a bow to bow the swing to starboard off the berth.

Svitzer Deben makes fast centre lead aft while the shotley positions on the starboard quarter. Approaching the 90 degree Beach End Svitzer Deben moves out onto the port side at full line load for a powered indirect to safely bring the 400 metre vessel into the harbour. Svitzer Kent makes their approach for the centre lead forward.  Deben drops back in astern but a few momments later the pilot gets the move out onto the starboard quarter to stop the stern swinging too far.  Kent fast forward stretching their line ready to work.

The pilot goes astern on the main engine to slow her down enough for the swing but soon has to kick ahead as the Deben would not of had space to clear the South Shelf Buoy. Shotley squares up and pushes on the starboard quarter. Deben moves around to the port quarter to start taking the stern around while the Kent moves out onto the starboard shoulder to take the bow around.  Swinging around the pilot eases up the Shotley while getting the Kent to move around onto the portside to help the Leaane get closer to the berth.

As the Leanne approaches the berth, Deben and Kent run out of space on the portside and get in check positions on the starboard side.     Crew onboard MSC Leanne throw heaving lines to the mooring gang on the berth. Once alongside the lines one by one were made fast on the bollards.

Final tie up 4, 2 and 2 each end with the spring lines first.

1st call Nordbaltic eases off Felixstowe Berth 4 with Svitzer Deben. 10th March 2018

The Nordbaltic which was a first call to Felixstowe, eases off Trinity 4 berth. At 207 metres long and a width of 29.8 metres, the Nordbaltic has a gross tonnage of 25,407 tonnes that is able to carry a maximum 2478TEU.

After a short delay with a boomed down crane, that resolved it's self and slowly boomed up. Ready to depart for her next port of Rotterdam with a draught of 8.4 metres.  Svitzer Deben standing by near the aft of the Nordbaltic. The pilot kicks the engine over then gives Deben clearance to come in to make fast.

Deben fast on the centre lead aft, the crew onboard begin to single up to just springs at both ends. The plan was to bring her off square then let the bow thrusters swing the bow out into the tide. With the bow swung, to come ahead before release the Deben.

The pilot gets the Deben to pull off with an easy weight as he uses the bow trusters.   Steadily the Nordbaltic swings to a southerly heading and the pilot trickles ahead on the main engine before releasing the Deben from aft.

Haci Fatma Ana leaves Parkeston Tanker Berth for her next port of Dunkerque 10th March 2018

The Haci Fatma Ana has been a troublesome tanker for the ship spotters in the Harwich Haven for the last couple of months as she has either arrived or departed during the dark hours. Today was very unusual as she departed during daylight.

Haci Fatma Ana was built in 2010 for the North Sea Tankers. Her tanks have been split into 14 seperate tanks for more strength and security.  With a length of 123.25 metres and width of 17.2 metres, she has a capacity of 9120m3 for chemical transportation.

As the vessel headed down from Parkeston 6, the tanker berth she passes the Navyard towards the Shotley Spit where she turns to a southerly heading past the worlds largest container ship OOCL Germany berthed on Felixstowe Berth 8.

OOCL Indonesia arrives to Felixstowe on the Eastbound Leg of her maiden voyage 7th March 2018

The last OOCL G class ship to be built OOCL Indonesia arrives to the Port of Felixstowe during her maiden voyage with a maximum draught of 13 metres from her last port of Wilhelmshaven.  Intitally OOCL Indonesia was scheduled to go direct to Singapore after departing Felixstowe but OOCL added an extra call at Rotterdam before heading East.

The Harwich Haven pilot boards the Indonesia at the Sunk Pilot Station which boarders International waters.  Once onboard the pilot requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing. The first tug, an escort tug to meet ant 7&8 and make fast centre lead aft. Second tug to meet at the Platters to escort them into the harbour then push on the starboard quarter for a starboard swing to go port side to Felixstowe Berth 8.

OOCL Indonesia approaching the Harbour, Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Sky were waiting just outside the harbour for the ship to get closer. Kent heads further out towards 7&8 Buoys where they make fast on the centre lead aft. A short while later the Sky swings around to position on the starboard quarter just incase the pilot required a little extra help rounding the Beach End. 

Passing the Platters, the pilot gets the Kent to move out onto the port side for a powered indirect to help steer around the 90 degree Beach End turn into the harbour. Safely inside the harbour and coming round onto a Northerly heading, the pilot gets the Kent to ease up and drop in astern ready to slow the 400 metre ship down for the starboard swing.  The Kent is asked to increase power astern to knock off the headway

Sky on the starboard quarter squares up and begins to increase power to push up on the most aft tug marker while the Kent moves onto the port side and increases power to swing the OOCL Indonesia around.  All Swung, the Shotley and Kent begins to bring the Indonesia closer to the berth before the Kent moves around to the starboard side into a check position. Shotley steadily pushing the Indonesia onto the berth.

Final tie up 6 and 2 each end with Spring lines first then offshore lines.

1st call Maersk Durban departs Felixstowe with the assistance of Svitzer Shotley. 6th March 2018

Maersk Durban departs the Port of Felixstowe after her 1st call to the port.

As cargo operations had finished and the cranes had boomed up, all the pilot was waiting for was the Svitzer Shotley which was about to be released from the aft of her last job the ultra large Titan heading out of the harbour. Svitzer Shotley released she swings around to assist the Maersk Durban off the berth.

The pilot required the Shotley to take the centre lead aft. As the bollard rating was less than the Shotley's bollard pull, the pilot planned to pull square off the berth and then use the flooding tide to swing the bow out.

After going ahead on the main engine, Shotley is released and heads back to the tug pontoon. Approaching 7&8 Buoys outbound the Maersk Durban passes the inbound Viona.

Ultra large Titan eases from Felixstowe Berth 6 with the help for two Svitzer tugs 6th March 2018

Ultra large Titan eases away from Felixstowe Berth 6 with the assistance of Svitzer Shotley made fast centre lead aft and Svitzer Deben made fast centre lead forward.  The 369 metre Titan sails on the EPIC 1 (Europe Pakistan India Consortium) route which calls at Felixstowe before going to Southampton.

Once the tugs were made fast they get in a pull position ready to work. As the spring lines were released and bought back onboard,the pilot got the Shotley to increse power aft and the same for the Deben. Steadily the Debn goes up too full power to help get the bow away from the berth and clear from the APL Oregon which was berthed in Trinity 5.

Clear from the berth, the pilot gives a kick ahead on the main engine to start with to get her moving. As a the speed began to pick up the pilot goes ahead.  Deben stops towing and gets in position to let go. Once the Deben was clear the Shotley closes up to let go. Just after being released the Shotley went to her next job on Trinity 4, The Maersk Durban.

Harwich Haven bids farewell to drilling platform Paragon B391 after 6 months in port. 5th March 2018

Harwich Haven bids farewell to the drilling platform Paragon B391 which had been in port since the 17th August 2017.

Earlier in the morning thick fog rolled in which put the departure in jeopardy. Luckily the fog began to lift enough so the tugs connected up and got the platform on the move.

Lead tug Magne Viking, Bugsier 3 made fast on the port side, Multratug 20 made fast starboard side and Svitzer Shotley made fast aft.

With a Harwich Haven pilot onboard the Magne Viking, using all of his knowledge and skills he carefully plan the departure.   As the smaller tugs connect up, 3 of Paragon's legs are jacked up leaving just one still down.  Magne Viking connects up and then the last leg is jacked up and Paragon is finally floating.

 Steadily the tugs swing the platform around and get in position to start moving the Paragon B391 ahead. Increasing power on all the tugs, she begins to get some headway. 

Approaching the Shotley Spit the pilot begins to steer to starboard a few degrees at a time. On a southerly heading and now approaching the Beach End the pilot begins to steer to port to head out of the harbour into the North Sea.

Ultra Large Magleby Maersk swings for Felixstowe Berth 9 with two 3212 Svitzer tugs 15th Feb 2018

The Magleby Maersk arrives from Bremerhaven to the Port of Felixstowe. As the Harwich Haven pilot heads out to the Sunk Pilot Station the Magleby approaches the Sunk area which boarders international waters. 

Pilot onboard, they begin to head inwards via the deep water channel. The pilot orders two Svitzer tugs for berthing, the first tug to meet at 7&8 Buoys and make fast centre lead aft. The second tug at the Beach End to make fast centre lead forward on a bow to bow.  The pilot also confirmed that he will be swinging to port off the berth to go portside to Felixstowe Berth 9.

As Magleby Maersk passes through the South Shipwash they meet the MSC Mirjam which was outbound to the Sunk for her next port of Antwerp. Svitzer Kent leaves the harbour to be the first tug to meet the mega ship, Shortly followed by the Svitzer Deben. 

Approaching the Platters Buoy which is just before the 90 degree Beach End turn in to the harbour, the pilot gets the Kent to move out onto the port side for a powered indirect to help steer around the corner.   Deben makes her approach to make fast on a bow to bow.


The pilot gets the Kent to ease up and drop in astern as Magleby Maersk heads up the harbour on a northerly heading.  Deben fast forward the pilot decreases headway by getting the Kent to increase power straight astern.  A few minutes later the pilot comes astern on the main engines.

Deben is asked to go out on to the Port shoulder and take the bow around while the Kent goes on to starboard quarter and take the stern around. Smoke begins to pour from the funnels as the pilot uses the bow thrusters.

Swinging around the pilot gives a kick astern as they approached the berth. The crew onboard throw heaving lines for the springs to the mooring gang as they go alongside the berth.

Final tie up 6 and 2 each end with springs first.