Maiden voyage of Maersk's H Class vessel, Maersk Hanoi swinging for Felixstowe Trinity 6 140418

Maersk Line have started to bring out a new class of vessels. The H Class vessel are 353 metres long and a width 53.5 metres which can hold a maximum of 15,262teu.

The Maersk Hanoi on her maiden voyage calls to a few European ports with Antwerp being the last port before heading to Felixstowe. The Hanoi makes her way towards the Sunk Pilot Station with a draught of just 11.1 metres and an interesting layout of containers.

A Harwich Haven pilot boards the Maersk Hanoi and begins the inward passage for Felixstowe Berth 6. A short while later the pilot requests two Svitzer tugs for berthing, the first tug to meet at the Platters to make fast centre lead aft and the second tug inside the harbour on a bow to bow. The pilot said he would be swinging to port and then back up towards the berth.

Svitzer Deben heads out the harbour to be the first tug and makes fast centre lead aft.  Svitzer Sky paddles towards the Beach End waiting for the arrival of the Maersk Hanoi.  As the ship rounds the Beach End Sky makes their approach on a bow to bow. Speed reducing all the time as the ship tracks up the harbour on a northerly heading.

Deben fast aft, begins to lean back astern to slow Maersk Hanoi more before the pilot starts a port swing.  Deben moves out onto the starboard quarter and takes the stern around while the Sky moves out onto the port shoulder and increases power to take the bow around.  As the pilot begins to back the ship up towards the Trinity 6 where she was berthing.    Final tie up 6 and 2 each end.

Sunday evening as the Thalassa Doxa was leaving berth 7, two Svitzer tugs went to station on the Maersk Hanoi. Both of the tugs pulled her clear of Berth 6 and steadily backs the Hanoi up to Berth 7.