Archive of Ships Visiting the Port of Silloth during 2020
Below is a selection of arrivals, departures & quayside shots arranged in reverse chronological order.
October to December
EMSTAL (Madeira) IMO 9356878, 30th Dec 2020
The last arrival of the year. ZAPADNYY is seen in the background making her departure.
A maiden visit to Silloth bringing fertiliser from Lithuania.
The vessel had set out from Klaipeda on Christmas Eve sailing across the North Sea towards Scotland and down the west coast. The Madeiran registered vessel was built in 2007 as KOSSAU. This was one of her first sailings since the name change in December. The change was so recent, new owners 'HS Shipping' hadn't updated the fleet list on their website at the time of writing.
The arrival was uneventful except for a slight brush of fenders against the north wall of the outer dock. Once into New Dock she was brought alongside a temporary berth on the north quay to await the imminent departure of WILSON FEDJE (see below).
WILSON FEDJE (Bridgetown) IMO 9491757, 29th & 30th Dec 2020
Arriving on the late morning tide from Gdansk.
The 4,500ton DWT vessel had held position off the port until ZAPADNYY had safely entered (see below). 'WILSON' ships are regular callers at the port. On this occasion FEDJE was making her maiden visit with bagged fertiliser from Poland. In calm conditions and with a cutting tide, the approach and entry was timed to coincide with maximum water depth.
Twenty four hours later the ship was unloaded and ready to sail.
After a slow passage through the gates, it was another well-controlled exit in calm conditions. Maybe the structure at the bow restricts visibility in tight situations when the ship is empty. The crew looked in good spirits as they headed out to the slightly warmer climate of Coruna, N.Spain.
ZAPADNYY (Belize City) IMO 8711837, 29th & 30th Dec 2020
The molasses tanker made her final call of the year. Seen inbound from Amsterdam on a crisp winter morning.
Unusually for Silloth, the ship made a direct entry without turning & waiting for optimum conditions off the port.
With a second ship waiting to be berthed, and the tide being cut by a northerly wind this proved a successful manoeuvre.
With no bow thrusters to aid entry, and no doubt learning from previous experience, the bow was well protected with fenders. However, these proved unnecessary as the fast direct approach was faultless and a lesson in how it should be done.
The arrival was well-attended by photographers including Danny Ferris who was on hand to film the graceful dock entry :
Twenty four hours later, and 3,000ton lighter, the tanker made her exit on the late morning tide in weak sunshine,
Having spent Christmas at sea, plus three days sheltering from Storm Bella in Ramsey Bay, the crew looked pleased to be on their way back to Lithuania.
Departure was as smooth as the arrival with the ship seen powering away into the Solway. Snow-covered Scottish hills provided a fine backdrop on her way to Workington pilot station.
MARIETJE HESTER (Delfzijl) IMO 9279032, 17th Oct 2020
Inbound passing a cloud-topped Criffel.
A new visitor to Silloth with fertiliser from Aviles, N.Spain. The 3,200ton DWT vessel arrived in gloomy conditions for entry to the port on the midday tide.
Built in 2005, the smart-looking vessel is owned by 'Danser van Gent' and on charter to 'Wagenborg'. The five sister ships in the fleet appear in the same unusual livery.
The Dutch registered vessel (Delfzijl) made a well-controlled approach in calm conditions before passing into the outer dock.
MARRY-S (Kampen) IMO 9148178, 6th Oct 2020
Outbound on the afternoon tide heading south with Criffel in the background.
The 3,500ton DWT vessel was built in 1997 as ELAN.
She is now under time charter to 'Amasus' for her Dutch owners 'Sierra Maritiem', a small family business.
The ship was seen departing for Newport after arriving on the previous tide with fertiliser from Ghent. Her exit from the dock took longer than normal as she adjusted her position at the entrance. Once into Marshall Dock she powered away into the Solway.
July to September
ASHLEY (Enschede) IMO 9201944, 15th Sep 2020
Turning in New Dock on arrival from Rotterdam.
The 2,800ton DWT vessel was built in the Netherlands in 2000 as HYDRA .
She remains Dutch owned by 'Kirk Shipping' of Enschede, her port of registry. She is managed by 'Wagenborg'.
After lying at anchor overnight off Workington she made her way to Silloth on the morning tide. Calm conditions off the port allowed the pilot to make a well-controlled approach and entry.
Her cargo of fertiliser was soon unloaded and she was able to sail on the following tide to Lochaline.
KATRIN (Valletta) IMO 9155987, 23rd Aug 2020
Entering Marshall Dock on the afternoon tide.
Arriving from the Baltic port of Wolgast with wheat.
The Maltese registered vessel is 1 of 29 operated by 'Hansa Shipping' of Estonia. At 4,750ton DWT and 99m the ship is the largest seen at Silloth in recent times. She was built as EEMSDIEP in 1996.
The ship handled well during the approach in blustery conditions making a smooth entry to the dock. Photographers were lucky with conditions, the ship arriving during a break between torrential showers.
April to June
DAAN (Aalten) IMO 9201956, 29th Jun 2020
Entering New Dock on arrival from Antwerp.
An evening arrival in blustery conditions, having ridden out a summer storm off Workington for 12hr .
The Dutch owned vessel was built in the 'Peters Yard' in 2001 as ANET. At 89m length & 2,800ton DWT, the privately owned vessel flies the 'Wagenborg' management flag.
The ship made a well-controlled approach, and entry to Marshall Dock in the strong southwesterly. The crew appeared pleased to have reached calmer waters.
The ship was photographed turning towards her berth in New Dock before being made secure in readiness to unload her cargo of fertiliser.
JAN V (St.John's) IMO 8504179, 24th Jun 2020
Outbound for Swansea on the afternoon tide.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Deenik
The 2,250ton DWT vessel made her departure after delivering wheat from the Baltic German port of Vierow.
The ship was built in Duisburg in 1985 for owner/master Jan Vogelsang, hence the ship's name JAN/V. The owner's name translates as 'bird sang' and he has added a further personal touch with a yellow song bird emblem on the funnel.
The gallery shows the vessel exiting New Dock and powering away into the Solway.
RONJA (Lamassol) IMO 9434046, 7th Jun 2020
Awaiting high water to enter port.
The 4,500ton DWT vessel arrived at lunchtime with baled wood pulp from Figueira da Foz, Portugal.
The Cypriot registered vessel was making her first visit to Silloth. She was built in 2008 as OZCAN ATASOY and is now managed by 'FORSA' of Lithuania. After making her entry to New Dock she took almost one hour to be brought alongside her berth, presumably due to faulty bow thrusters.
The gallery shows the ship entering Marshall Dock and turning in New Dock.
SEA HUNTER (Bridgetown) IMO 8914154, 28th May 2020
Outbound for Shoreham after arriving 24hr earlier with fertiliser from Antwerp.
The 3,150ton DWT vessel was built in 1990 as SIRRAH. She is now 1 of 8 coasters operated by 'Gillie & Blair' of Newcastle upon Tyne. The Bridgetown registered vessel was last seen at Silloth in January 2018.
The ship made a smooth departure with the Silloth Pilot seen on duty on the bridge.
MARJATTA (Limassol) IMO 9345374, 7th Apr 2020
Passing Workington Breakwater Light heading for Ghent.
The 3,500ton DWT vessel was departing Silloth in ballast after unloading fertiliser from Klaipeda. She was last seen in 2018, & before that as FLINTERBIRKA in 2014. She is now Lithuanian owned & registered in Limassol. The gallery shows the pilot transfer onto the Workington tug DERWENT.
January to March
PEAK BERGEN (Harlingen) IMO 9544932, 16th Mar 2020
Seen at the quayside.
The 3,950ton DWT vessel had arrived 2days earlier with wheat from the German port of Vierow. Unfortunately a night arrival having made slow progress in the Irish Sea and missing her target.
The ship is 1 of 7 'special cargo' vessels operated by 'Peak Shipping' of Norway. She was built as ABIS BERGEN in 2010 and now flies the Dutch flag, Harlingen registered.
RODAU (St.John's) IMO 9313656, 8th Mar 2020
Inbound from Morocco on a blustery morning.
The 3,700ton DWT vessel was delivering fertiliser from the West African port of Jorf Lasfar.
The 'Strahlman' owned ship looked in immaculate condition as she made her approach & entered port. She had arrived at Workington anchorage two days earlier but this coincided with a cycle of neap tides.
The chemical complex at Jorf Lasfar, operated by the 'OCP Group', is the largest fertiliser production unit in the world using locally sourced phosphate rock.
The fully laden ship was untroubled by the conditions at the port entrance and was soon in the shelter of New Dock where she was turned and brought alongside.
RIX MISTRAL (Limassol) IMO 9173513, 22nd Jan 2020
Entering New Dock.
A disappointingly foggy morning for the arrival of RIX MISTRAL from Nantes. The pilot would have needed all his skills and local knowledge to bring her safely up the Solway channel in such conditions. She arrived off the port to await high water - poor visibility prevented the usual photos!
The 3,3750ton DWT vessel was built in 1997 as PUR NAVOLOK, she is now managed by 'Baltic Shipping' for Latvian owners 'RIX'.
She had arrived at Workington anchorage 2days earlier to await the final leg of her sailing. She was making her first visit to Silloth carrying a cargo of wheat from the French port on the R.Loire.
At high water she moved carefully into Marshall Dock before passing through the gated dock entrance. Photos were limited, but one character carried on his antics despite the weather.
PHOTOS FROM EARLIER YEARS CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL PAGES