Maiden voyage Cosco Shipping Denali arrives to the Port of Felixstowe laden from Singapore 190718

Cosco Shipping Denali built in June 2018 makes her European debut by making the Port of Felixstowe her first European port.  At 366 metres in length and 51.2 metres in breadth she can hold just over 14,500teu.  She began her voyage in China before going to Singapore and then through the Suez Canal northbound to Felixstowe.

One of Harwich Haven pilots boards the Denali at the Sunk Pilot Station which is around 12 miles out in the North Sea from Felixstowe.

Once onboard the pilot radios Harwich VTS to say they were inbound 13.9 metre draught from Singapore, planned port side to Felixstowe Berth 9. VTS replies with the wind on the Landguard, height of tide and any conflicting traffic.  After a few moments the pilot requests three tugs for berthing. Two outside, first made fast centre lead aft before the Platter, second starboard quarter then make fast on the main deck but on the quarter and the third inside the harbour to make fast starboard shoulder for a port swing off the berth.

Svitzer Kent heads out to be the first tug and makes fast centre lead aft. Shortly after Kent heading out, Svitzer Shotley leaves the tug pontoon to be the quarter tug. The skipper on the Shotley radios the pilot to say they can make fast whenever the crew are ready as the panama lead was right above the tug marker.  Finally Svitzer Deben slowly heads to the entrance of the harbour to wait for the Cosco Shipping Denali to round the Beach End before making their approach to make fast on the starboard shoulder.

Safely inside the harbour, the pilot uses the Kent as a brake to slow the ship down ready for the swing. To slow down a bit more the pilo runs the main engine astern.

The pilot begins to position the tugs for a port swing so the Kent moves out onto the starboard side, Shotley moves out on the starboard quarter to start taking the stern around. Deben pushes up on the starboard shoulder to take the bow around.

Almost swung around the Shotley comes in to push her alongside Felixstowe Berth 9. Kent helps straighten her for a parallel berthing onto the fenders.

Final tie 6 and 2 with springs first fore and aft then offshore lines.

MSC Tina eases from Felixstowe on a very busy day of ultra large movements 19th July 2018

MSC Tina is currently one of MSC's largest ships in their fleet able to carry an impressive 19,437teu.

Felixstowe was about to experience one of their busiest days for ultra large movements for a good couple of weeks.

The day started off with the MSC Sarah arriving for Trinity 7 just before 6am. Soon after, the MSC Tina was ready to depart for her next port of Le Havre. When she was off the berth, the ferries departed for their various parts of Rotterdam,  then a Harwich Haven pilot boards maiden voyage Cosco Shipping Denali at the sunk to go port side to Felixstowe Berth 9 from Singapore. When she was making fast alongside, 2 pilots came across from Harwich to board OOCL Kobe and Maersk Kawasaki. Tugs from the Kawasaki then went to assist the heavily laden CSCL Indian Ocean off the berth for her next port of Singapore. And the last big ship of the day was the Marseille Maersk from her last port of Colombo.


MSC Tina ready to depart from Felixstowe Berth 9 with the assistance of Svitzer Kent made fast centre lead aft and Svitzer Shotley on the starboard quarter.  Once the lines fore and aft were released the pilot uses the tugs to reverse her off the berth before using the bow thrusters to bring the bow around into the tide.

Safely inside the channel, Shotley is released and makes their way around to the port quarter for a push indirect.   Kent aft drops in astern and prepares themselves to assist steering around the 90° Beach End turn out of the harbour with a powered indirect.

Tide restricted Maersk Edmonton departs Felixstowe with assistance of two Svitzer tugs 17th July 2018

The tide restricted Maersk Edmonton departs Felixstowe Berth 7 for her next port of Le Havre in France.

A Harwich Haven pilot boards the ship for the outward journey to the Sunk where the pilot disembarks onto a pilot launch.

Two Svitzer tugs head up Trinity Terminal to assist the Edmonton off the berth.  Svitzer Shotley makes fast centre lead aft while the Svitzer Intrepid makes fast centre lead forward.

The plan was a simple pull off the berth then release the forward tug when the ship has some headway. The pilot keeps the Shotley fast until they were safely around the 90° Beach End turn at the entrance of the harbour.

CSCL Indian Ocean swings for Felixstowe Berth 8 with two Svitzer tugs 17th July 2018

CSCL Indian Ocean arrives to the Port of Felixstowe with a maximum draught of 13.6 metres from Wilhelmshaven in Germany. The ship had been to Felixstowe about 11 days previous heavily leaden from Singapore. She sails on the LL1 route as part of the Ocean Alliance that calls at Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen, Yantian, Singapore before transiting the Suez Canal northbound to Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Gdansk, Wilhelmshaven and back to Felixstowe the transits the Suez Canal Southbound to Singapore, Yantian and then start the voyage all over again.

As the CSCL Indian Ocean approaches British waters, a Harwich Haven pilot launch goes alongside the ship to board one of their pilot for the inward journey to Felixstowe.  Once obroard, the pilot confirms that he is inbound with a maximum draught of 13.6 metres from Wilhelmshaven with no defects. He continued that he believed the ship was planned port side to Felixstowe Berth 8. VTS replies that there was a ready berth port side to Berth 8, the wind on the Landguard and height of tide and finally the traffic.   The pilot replies that he wuld like three tugs for berthing, first one make fast centre lead aft at 7&8 Buoys and prefered one of the 3212's. Second at the Platters to push up on the starboard quarter for the corner and then move down for a starboard swing. Finally the thrid inside the harbour on a bow to bow for the centre lead.

CSCL Indian Ocean making progress inwards, Svitzer Kent heads out to be the first tug shortly folowed by the Svitzer Shotley. As the Indian Ocean approaches 7&8, Svitzer Intrepid leaves the tug pontoon to be the bow to bow tug.   Next part of the arrival is one of the most challenging, a 90° corner at the enterance of the harbour. Standard procedure with 400 metre and deep draught ships need a little help steering around the corner so the aft tug move out onto the port quarter for a powered indirect and a tug on the starboard quarter pushes up to give extra steerage.

Safely inside the harbour  the pilot uses the Kent aft as a brake. Up the bow of the ship, Svitzer Intrepid makes their approach to make fast.  After a little while the pilot gets the Kent to favour the port side to stop the ship swinging too far out. Further up the harbour, the pilot gets the Shotley to push up while the Kent goes out onto the port quater to take the stern around. On the bow, Intrepid moves onto the starboard shoulder to take the bow around.

Almost swung around, the pilot gets the Shotley to move up tto midships to push up to the berth.

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

ETD 13:00  19th July

Light draughted Murcia Maersk departs Felixstowe Berth 9 for her next port of Bremerhaven

After discharging cargo from the Far East, the Murcia Maersk prepares to depart Felixstowe Berth 9.  The skilled Harwich Haven pilot boards the ship from the shore side. As the last crane booms up the pilot radios Harwich VTS with the details of draught, next port and tugs required.  With a draught of 10.55 metres for Bremerhaven and would like two Svitzer tugs for departure.

Svitzer Kent and Svitzer Shotley both make their way to berth 9 where the pilot gets them to take the centre leads fore and aft but wanted the bigger 3212 Svitzer Kent aft and the smaller 2411 Svitzer Shotley forward. The tugs were made fast before the crew began to single up fore and aft. Spring were the last lines to be released.

The pilot began with an easy pull with both tugs away from the quay steadily increasin power. After a little while the pilot drops the power of the Kent so the Shotley could bring the bow into the channel.

Bow responding to the Shotley, the pilot kicks ahead on one engine before getting the Kent to drop in astern. Once the Kent is right astern the pilot comes ahead on both engines.  Shotley eases and comes in to let go from forward.  Once released they peel off onto the Harwich side and makes their way around to the port quarter for the 90° Beach End turn out of the harbour.  As Shotley comes around the stern, the pilot gets the Kent to move out onto starboard side at full line load for a powered indirect.

Deep draughted OOCL United Kingdom eases from Felixstowe bound for Singapore 16th July 2018

The heavily laden and deep draughted OOCL United Kingdom sets sail for Singapore.

After the Harwich Haven pilot boards from the shore side, crew lift the gangway ready to sail.  Two Svitzer tugs were ordered for departure. With standard procedures on these type of ships, the pilot prefers to have a 3212 tug aft so they can assist with the 90° Beach End turn out of the harbour.

The two tugs that were ordered leave the pontoon and make their way to berth 8.  The pilot confirms with the tugs that he would like the bigger 3212 Svitzer Deben aft and the smaller 2411 Svitzer Shotley forward. Both to make fast on the centre leads.

Deben was first to be made fast. They back away into a pull position and await further instructions, Shotley follows in suit on the bow.

All lines released fore and aft, the OOCL United Kingdom begins to ease away from the berth with just the wind and tide before the Shotley and Deben increase power to pull her into the channel.  The pilot gives a kick ahead on the main engine before getting the Deben to drop in astern and the Shotley to come in to let go from forward then to position on the port quarter for the Beach End.

Approaching the 90° Beach End turn, the pilot gets the Deben to move out onto starboard side at full line load for a powered indirect.  Steadily the Deben increases power producing about s 15° list as they help steer the OOCL United Kingdom around the corner and out of the harbour.

Shotley is stood down as the turn was almost complete, Deben eases and drops in to the transom to retrieve their gear. Deben then swings around to head back into the harbour leaving the pilot onboard the OOCL United Kingdom to guide her to the Sunk where he will disembark onto a Harwich Haven pilot launch.

Heavily laden Murcia Maersk, a Triple E MkII, makes her second visit to Felixstowe 14th July 2018

The Murcia Maersk is one of largest container ship in world. She is an updated version of the 2013 record breaking Triple E and based on the 399 metres in length and 58.6 metre breadth but with the accommodation block 2 cargo bays forward and the engine room one bay further back to accommodate an extra 2,300teu.

Roughly 12 miles out in the North Sea a Harwich Haven pilot launch goes alongside the Murcia Maersk to board a pilot for the inbound passage into the harbour.  Proceeding inwards she passes the Morten Maersk, a first generation Triple E, that was bound for Tanjung Pelepas.

The pilot onboard Murcia Maersk radios Harwich VTS to confirm he was onboard, 14.75 metres from Colombo with no defects, planned port side to Felixstowe Berth 9. VTS replies with a confirmation that there was a ready berth planned port side to Felixstowe Berth 9, followed by the wind on the Landguard and height of tide. The pilot orders two Svitzer tugs for berthing, first one at 7&8 Buoys to make fast centre lead aft ready for the corner and the second outside the harbour to assist on the starboard quarter and then push up for a starboard swing off the berth.

Svitzer Deben which was waiting outside the harbour after being released from the outbound Morten Maersk,  would be the first and aft tug.   As the Murcia Maersk passes 7&8 buoys the Deben makes their approach to make fast centre lead aft. All fast aft the Deben stretches their gear ready to work. The Svitzer Intrepid makes their way out of the harbour and approaches on the starboard side and lays onto the quarter ready to help steering around the 90° degree Beach End turn.

Just as the Murcia Maersk passes the Platters, the pilot gets the Deben to move out onto the port quarter for a powered indirect while the Intrepid pushes up at 45° angle.

Safely inside the harbour, the pilot uses Deben as a brake so they drop in astern and leans straight back at 50%.  The pilot gets the Intrepid to move up to the tug marker and nose up at 75%. As the Intrepid builds up power thick black smoke pours from both funnels.  Shortly after the Deben moves out onto the Port quarter and keeping an eye on the North Shelf Buoy builds up power.  The pilot uses the bow thrusters to almost swing the ship around 180° on the spot.

After swinging, the aft tug moves from the port side onto the starboard in a check position before coming in to pin her on the berth.

Final tie up 6 and 2 with springs first fore and aft.

EDT Tuesday 17th July 07:00

Ultra large Morten Maersk departs Felixstowe for her next port of Tanjung Pelepas 14th July 2018

A harwich Haven pilot boards the 399 metre Morten Maersk as cargo operations were almost complete. The cranes over the mid to aft of the ship were booming up. Two Svitzer tugs were ordered for departure. They both leave the tugs pontoon to stand by the ship. The pilot radios Harwich VTS to say there was a bit of lashing to complete but would like to make the tugs fast as soon as. the ship was almost ready to depart, 13 metre draught for her next port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia.

Duty tug, Svitzer Intrepid radios the Morten Maersk to find out how the pilot intended to use the tugs. The pilot replies the he would like the Deben aft and the Intrepid forward both on the centre leads.  The offshore lines fore and aft were slackened to make it easier to make the tugs fast. Deben was made fast and backs away ready to work, at the bow of the Morten Maersk a crew member was getting ready to throw down a heaving line down for the Intrepid so their tow line could be made fast onto a bollard for the pull off. A coulpe of minutes later, the Intrepid all fast forward, starts to back away as the Stena Britiannica passes through the harbour from Parkeston Quay bound for Rotterdam.  

Singling up to just spring lines fore and aft, the pilot requests permission to break away from Felixstowe berth 9. Permission granted, the springs were released. The pilot starts with just the wind and tide to push her off the berth before increasing the power of the Deben aft while using the bow thrusters to help the bow out. Shortly after the pilot gets the Intrepid to build up power before getting them to pull full power to get the bow into the channel.

After a straight pull off into the channel, the pilot gives a kick ahead on the main engine to keep the mommentum going. Slowly putting more revs ahead on the main engines, Deben eases up and drops in astern while the Intrepid goes right ahead and gets in a position to let go from forward.  Intrepid retieving their gear and peels off onto the Felixstowe side. The skipper on the Intrepid asks the pilot if they were required on port quarter for the 90° Beach End out of the harbour. The pilot said that he would like them to lay alongside on the port quarter just incase they were needed.  Speed increasing all the time, the pilot gets the Deben to go out onto the starboard side for a powered indirect around the Beach End.

Safely around the Beach End, the Intrepid is stood down and makes their way back into the harbour to Berth 9 to wait for their next job of the day.  Deben ease and closes up to be released from aft. One released they wait outside the harbour,  before proceeding to 7&8 Buoys to make the aft tug on the Murcia Maersk.

I am back.    Over the last month or so the Port of Felixstowe have upgraded their IT system to a more efficient and reliable system but it's had a few teething problems.    

Hutchinson's have bought the software out in their terminals around the world which has been a success but with Felixstowe was slightly different as the port handles more empties than Chinese ports.

  I did not want to cause any extra problems for them so any good journalist would give them time to get used to the system.

The port is getting back to normal now and I feel this is the right time to restart my blog.

I thank you for your support and hope to inform you more about the largest ships in the world that visit the port of Felixstowe.