Ship Spotter Steve
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GRANDE DETROIT

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​Grande Detroit photographed from East Cowes on its way into Southampton.

She was built in 2005 and is 176.6m long with a 31.1m beam, service speed is  21 knots and she can carry 4,300 cars.

Passenger accommodation (air-conditioned with private facilities) includes two outside cabins with low beds, three outside cabins with two low beds and passengers sharing the dining room and lounge with the ships officers.
 
The vessel is operated by Grimaldi Lines which dates back to 1947, the company has been involved in the transportation of vehicles since 1969.

MMSI - 247186300
REG - IT, Palermo
IMO - 9293272
Call Sign - ICCK
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Uljanik' Pula, HU
Yard No.454
L 176.6m x W 31.1m
GT -38651
Year - 2005
East Cowes - 2 November 2013

HOEGH AFRICA

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Hoegh Africa photographed on 31 October 2015 in our way back into Southampton after a week away on the Isle of Wight.

She was built in 2004 and up to 2009 was called Hual Africa.

She is known as a PCTC 
- Pure Car and Truck Carrier.

GT = 57,692, DWT = 21,214 & NT = 21,116.

Built by Stocznia Gdynia S.A. in Gdynia, Poland as Yard Number 8168/5 she is 
199.98 m long overall and 188.00 m between perpendiculars. Breadth is 32.26 m
and Summer draught is 10.00m. Overall depth is 19.98m. Her keel was laid on 30 April 2003, she was launched on 9 December 2003 and completed on 10 February 2004.

Her main engine is a single Wärtsilä 7RTA62U manufactured by Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd and she has one propeller.

Generators on board comprise 3x MAN 7L28/32H main diesel generator sets and a MAN D2866LXE30 emergency generator.

In total she can carry 6,600 cars over 8 decks.

Crew complement is 27.

She is owned by Africa Maritime Limited who are based in the Isle of Man and is on long term time charter to Hoegh Autoliners Shipping A/S.

Hoegh Autoliners, Hoegh's ship owning history dates back to 1927 when Leif Hoegh founded Leif Hoegh & Co. Initially the owning and operating of tankers formed the mainstay of the companies work however this soon diversified and after operating combined oil/bulk/ore carriers they started transporting cars and other vehicles.  

MMSI - 311594000
REG - BS, Nassau
IMO - 9277814
Call Sign - C6TD3
Vehicles Carrier
Built -  Stozcnia, Gydnia, PO
Yard No.8168/05
L 199.98m x W 32.26m
GT - 57692
Year - 2004
Southampton, 31 October 2015 
​

TORRENS

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Torrens photographed in Southampton on 24 October 2015.

She is a PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) and the first vessel in a series of ten built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki, Japan. The vessel is specially suited for cars and trucks but she has also flexibility to carry project cargo and containers.  

Torrens has a total capacity of 6350 cars and has a complement of 27.

Her sister ships are Toledo, Toronto, Topeka, Tombarra and Tortugas.

The vessel is fitted with two loading and discharging ramps with entrance on deck 5. 

The propulsion machinery is a Mitsubishi-UE 7UEC60LSII engine with an output of 13240kW at 105  rpm. The main engine is attached to a fixed 5-blade propeller and fitted with remote control from the bridge and control room. For increased manouvering abilities there is one Hitachi thruster installed with an output of 1200 kW. The vessel is equipped with a highly effective double plated spade rudder.
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For electrical power supply there are three B&W Holeby generators with a total output of 3300 kW. To ensure sufficient power in emergency situations one Detroit Diesel 6MC emergency generator is installed.

All cabins are located on upper deck and the vessel is equipped with gym, and separate TV-room for officers and crew to provide for the possibility of relaxing activities. Pilot cabin, canal transit cabin and spare cabin is placed on the upper deck for easy access to the bridge. Bridge wings are enclosed.

​For fire extinguishing, the ship is fitted with both a permanent installed CO2 fire extinguishing system and a number of portable CO2 and foam fire extinguishers.

The vessel has 1Schat Harding enclosed free fall life boat with a capacity of 31 persons. In addition there are two life rafts with carrying capacity of 20 persons, two with 11person capacity each and one carrying 6 persons. 

NT = 22650, GT =  61321 &  DWT = 19628

MMSI - 232248000
REG - UK, Southampton
IMO - 9293612
Call Sign - MHBK6
Vehicles Carrier
Built -  Mitsubishi, Nagasaki, JP
Yard No.2196
L 200m x W 32m
GT - 61,321
Year - 2004
Southampton, 24 October 2015 
​

HOEGH TRADER

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BRASILIA HIGHWAY

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Hoegh Trader photographed in Southampton on 4 April 2015. 

She was built by Daewoo in Okpo, South Korea in 1998 was 199m long with a 32m beam and 10m Summer draught until lengthened in 2009. She is now 228.77m long which increased her GT from 56,816 to 68,060, DWT from 16,393 to 27,100 and NT from 19,766 to 25,775.  

Up to 2006 she was called Hual Trader which reflected the Hoegh-Ugland Auto Liners (HUAL) joint venture.

Powered by a MAN-B&W 7S60MC marine diesel engine she has a top speed of 20 Knots.  

She is operated by Hoegh Autoliners, Hoegh's shipowning history dates back to 1927 when Leif Hoegh founded Leif Hoegh & Co. Initially the owning and operating of tankers formed the mainstay of the companies work however this soon diversified and after operating combined oil/bulk/ore carriers they started transporting cars and other vehicles.  

MMSI - 308828000
REG - BS, Nassau
IMO - 9171280
Call Sign - C6QF8
Vehicles Carrier
Built -  Daewoo, Okpo, KR
Yard No.4418
L 228.77m x W 32m
GT - 68,060
Year - 1998
Southampton, 4 April 2015 
Brasilia Highway photographed in Southampton on 11 April 2015. She was built in 2009 as Yard Number 1503 by Imabari  Zosen in Marugame, Japan and has an overall length of 199.97m with a 32.26m beam and 10m draft.

In total she can carry 6,237 units over 11 main car decks and an upper aft garage. The ships main engine is a KOBE Diesel-Mitsubishi B&W 8UEC60LSII which provides 13,260kW and a service speed of 20 knots.

GT = 59,440 & DWT = 18,793.

She is owned by K Line (Australia) which was originally established in 1970 to represent K Line's interest and business in Australia. The company today operates a worldwide fleet of vessels consisting of car carriers, product carriers including tankers and LNG carriers, conventional cargo vessels, bulk carriers and container ships.

They operate in America, Europe, Intra-Asian, South & Central American, West Africa, mainland China Trades and Australia. The company moves in excess of 1.1 million motor vehicles annually and is also involved in the transport of bulk ores, grains, wood chips, coal, alumina as well as crude oil, LNG and other energy resources.

MMSI - 356073000
REG - PA, Panama
IMO - 9519119
Call Sign - 3FON6
Vehicles Carrier
Built -  Imabari Zosen, Marugame - JP
Yard No.1503
L 199.97m x W 32.26m
GT - 59440
Year - 2009

FIGARO

AUTOSTAR

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Figaro photographed in Southampton on 4 April 2015, I took the photograph from the deck of the Red Funnel ferry as we headed down the Solent on our way to the Isle of Wight.

She was built by Daewoo SB & ME Co. in Okpo, KR as Yard Number 4459 in 2011 and is 227.8m long with a 32.26m beam and 10.3 m draft.


GT = 74,258, NT = 26,158 and DWT = 30,900.

Classed as a LCTC (Large Car Truck Carrier) she can carry 7,879 cars or a combination of 3,508 cars and 432 buses.

She has two loading ramps located on the starboard side together with one perpendicular side ramp and one quarter stern ramp arranged at a 27 degree angle from the centre to allow for long vehicle access and egress. Deck 5 is the general cargo entrance however deck 6 can also be accessed via the side ramp allowing separate cargo flows during loading and discharging. Heavy cargo units can be located on strengthened decks 1, 3, 5 and 8 whilst decks 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 are divided into liftable sections allowing a variable cargo mix.

Her main engine is a B&W8S60ME-C8 electronically controlled directly reversible marine diesel with constant pressure supercharging and a maximum output of 19,040kW at 105rpm, she is also equipped with a high efficiency flap rudder together with a bow tunnel thruster. In a separate compartment of the engine room there are two 450v, 60Hz, 1700kW AC generators each powered by a STX/MAN-B&W 9SL21/31H diesel engine. In addition the vessel is equipped with a 1100kW shaft generator and an emergency diesel generator with a capacity of 215kW.

Common spaces and accommodation for 38 people are provided above the garage deck.

She is equipped with portable fire extinguishers and a fire main with hydrants. The cargo holds and engine room are also fitted with a CO2 system, water mist extinguishers are also installed for the protection of the main and auxiliary machinery, boiler and fuel oil purifiers. Life saving comprises a free-fall lifeboat capable of carrying 38 persons, she is also equipped with a 7.5m water jet driven rescue boat and four 20 person life rafts.

F
igaro is operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics who provide global logistical solutions for the automotive, agricultural, mining and construction equipment industries, they carry 1.8 million vehicles annually. 

MMSI - 266338000
REG - SE, Stockholm
IMO - 9505041
Call Sign -  SMIO

Vehicle Carrier
Built - Daewoo SB & ME Co. Okpo, KR
Yard No. - 4459
L 227.8m W 32.26m
GT 74258
Year - 2011
Southampton, 4 April 2015
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Vehicle carrier Autostar heading into Southampton on 4 April 2015, I took the photograph on holiday from dockside before heading over to the Red Funnel ferry terminal.

She is a regular visitor to Southampton and I have seen her many times before. 

GT = 21,010,DWT  6,670 & NT = 6,304. 

Built in Numakuma Japan by Tsuneishi as Yard Number 1185 she is 140m long with a 22.7m beam and 7.35m maximum draft, her keel was laid on 18 February 2000 and she was launched on 1 March 2000. 

Car capacity is 2080 vehicles over 7 decks.  

She has twin Wartsila 8L46C Diesel Engines (2 x 8,400kW) and twin screws, auxiliary engines comprise of two Daihatsu 6DK (2,900 at RPM). She also has three bow thrusters, service speed is 20 Knots.

She is owned/operated by UECC (United European Car Carriers) who were formed in 1990 and are co-owned by NYK and Wallenius Lines, they transport approximately 1.5 million cars and vans annually via 70 different European ports, they are headquartered in Oslo.

MMSI - 255801540
REG - PT, Madeira
IMO - 9206786
Call Sign - CQQC
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Tsuneishi, Numakuma, JP
Yard No. - 1185
L 140m W 22.7m
GT - 21010
Year - 2000
Southampton, 4 April 2015


CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY

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Vehicles carrier California Highway photographed in Southampton on the 1 November 2014.

She was built by Imabari Zosen, Marugame,  Japan as Yard No.1527 in 2010 and is 199.97m long with a 32.6m beam and 10.01m draught. Her keel was laid on 25 March 2010 and she was launched on 20 October 2010 before finally being completed on 24 December 2010.

Powered by a Kobe 2SA8CY (13,260 kW) diesel engine she has a top speed of 22 knots.

In total she can carry 6,215 vehicles.

GT = 59,447, NT = 19,152 and DWT 18,644.

Owned by the Nabob Shipping Corporation she is managed by Taiyo Nippon, Kisen Co who were established as a ship owner in 1917 and currently manage over 100 vessels, the company is headquartered in Kobe, Japan
MMSI - 352732000
REG - PA, Panama
IMO - 9574078
Call Sign - 3FJL6
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Imabari Zosen, Marugame, JP
Yard No.1527
L 199.97m x W 32.6m
GT - 59447
Year - 2010
Southampton, 1 November 2014                                       

GRANDE SCANDANAVIA

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Vehicles carrier Grande Scandanavia heading out of Southampton on 26 October 2014. I took the photograph from the end of the esplanade in East Cowes which is a regular haunt for me early in the morning when I am holidaying on the Isle of Wight.

She was built by Daewoo in Okpo, KR in 2001 as yard number 4428 and is 181.2m long with a 32.25m beam and 9.4m maximum draught.

GT = 52,485 and Summer DWT = 18,440.

Powered by a Sulzer 7RTA62U (16,013kW) diesel engine she has a top speed of 19.5 knots.

She can carry a total of 4,650 cars and 716 containers.

The vessel is operated by Grimaldi Lines which dates back to 1947, the company has been involved in the transportation of vehicles since 1969.

MMSI - 247018700
REG - IT, Palermo
IMO - 9220615
Call Sign - IBNF
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Daewoo Okpo
Yard No.4428
L 181.2m x W 32.25m
GT -52485
Year - 2001
East Cowes, 26 October 2014

AUTOPROGRESS

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Vehicle carrier Autoprogress passing me on 31 October 2014.

I took the photograph on holiday from my favourite vantage point at the end of the esplanade in East Cowes.

She is a regular visitor to Southampton and I have seen her before on a number of occasions whilst on holiday.

GT = 11591, DWT = 4442 & NT = 3829.

Built by the Frisian Shipyard in Welgelegen, The Netherlands in 1998 as Yard Number 507 she is 125.5m long with a 18.0m beam and 6.213m Summer draught, her keel was laid on 25 March 1997 and she was launched on 19 January 1998.

She has a top speed of 20 Knots and is powered by two Warlsila Vasa 12V32E (9440kW) Diesel Engines.

In total she has 6 car decks totalling 9890m2 able to accommodate 1220 vehicles.

She is owned/operated by UECC (United European Car Carriers) who were formed in 1990 and are co-owned by NYK and Wallenius Lines, they transport approximately 1.5 million cars and vans annually via 70 different European ports, they are headquartered in Oslo.

MMSI - 2558015780
REG - PT, Madeira
IMO - 9131967
Call Sign - CQQF
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Frisian SY, Welgelegen, NL
Yard No. - 507
L 125.5m W 18m
GT - 11591
Year - 1998
East Cowes, 31 October 2014

GRANDE EUROPA

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Grande Europa seen in the Port of Salerno on 8 June 2012.

Built by Fincantieri Italiani at Castellammare as Yard Number 5987 in 1995 she is 181.2m long with a 32m beam and 9.4m maximum draught.

She is the lead ship in the Grande Europa Class which consists of  three vessels and has a Ro-Ro capacity of 2,000m.

GT = 51714, NT 17155 and DWT 18427.

Powered by a Sulzer 7RTA62U (15545 kW, 21,141 bhp) engine with a single propeller she has a service speed of 18.5 knots.

The vessel is owned and operated by the Grimaldi Group which was established in 1947 when Guido Grimaldi and his four brothers set up the business using a liberty ship. During the 1960's the company expanded into freight and tanker operations as well as in the late 60's the transporting of vehicles. The company operates throughout Europe, West Africa and South America.

I have seen quite a few Grimaldi vehicle carriers and had previously seen Grande Europa before whilst on holiday on the Isle of Wight in August 2009. In fact looking through my records all the vessels were seen from this part of the World presumably delivering vehicles to Southampton apart from Grand Benelux which I saw moored in Bristol.

MMSI - 247206000
REG - IT, Palermo
IMO - 9138381
Call Sign - ICGE
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Fincantieri,  Italiani, Castellammare, IT
Yard Number- 5987
L 181.2 W  32
GT - 51714
Year - 1995
Salerno, 8 June 2012

tampa

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MMSI - 257497000
REG - NO, Tonsberg
IMO - 8204951
Call Sign - LMW03
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Hyundai, Ulsan, KR
Yard No.248
L 262m x W 32m
GT - 66635
Year - 1984
Southampton, 29 October 2011

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Cronus Leader

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MMSI - 370661000
REG - PA, Panama
IMO - 9464455
Call Sign - 3FUK
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Imabari Zosen, Marugame, JP
Yard No.1481
L 200m x W 27m
GT - 61804
Year - 2008
Southampton, 29 October 2011

bishu Highway

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MMSI - 432716000
REG - JP, Koje
IMO - 9409340
Call Sign - 7JFK
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Shin Kurushima, Toyohashi, JP
Yard No.3621
L 199m x W 32m
GT - 56978
Year - 2009
Southampton, 29 October 2011

autoprogress

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MMSI - 255801570
REG - PT, Madeira
IMO - 9131967
Call Sign - CQQF
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Frisian Welgelegen, Harlingen, NL
Yard No.507
L 125m x W 18m
GT -11591
Year - 1993
Zeebrugge 21 August 2012

Grande Detroit

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MMSI - 247186300
REG - IT, Palermo
IMO - 9293272
Call Sign - ICCK
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Uljanik' Pula, HU
Yard No.454
L 176m x W 31m
GT -38651
Year - 2005
Straits Of Messina, 2 June 2012

city of rome

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MMSI - 232079000
REG - UK, Douglas
IMO - 9174763
Call Sign - MZMS2
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Shin Kurushima, Akitsu, JP
Yard No.5001
L 100m x W 20m
GT -9950
Year - 1999
Zeebrugge 21 August 2012

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Bouzas

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MMSI - 224029000
REG - ES, Santa Cruz Teneriffe
IMO - 9249996
Call Sign - EAPC
Vehicles Carrier
Built - Barreras, Vigo, ES
Yard No.1592
L 142m x W 21m
GT -15224
Year - 2002
Barcelona 29 May 2012

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AUTOSTAR

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MMSI - 255801540
REG - PT, Madeira
IMO - 9206786
Call Sign - CQQC
Vehicles Carrier
Built -Tsuneishi, Numakuma, JP
Yard No.1185
L 140m x W 23m
GT - 21010
Year - 2009
Southampton, 29 October 2011

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