The ship photographer always has one eye on local tide times, and just to cause frustration many of the most interesting ships come & go under the cover of darkness. Some question whether this is a deliberate action on the part of the port authorities?!
Then there's the weather! Somehow the light is never right, too bright or too dark. This can usually be overcome, but driving wind throwing spray in the direction of the camera lens is the big enemy. However for those fearless enough to brave the storm, the reward can often be the most exciting images.
Enough of the excuses, here's where you'll find the latest photos. This is my best attempt at recording recent ship movements, but not a complete one. Apologies for the variable image quality but the sun doesn't shine every day in Cumbria.
Some heritage locomotive coverage is included on occasions when shipping is quiet.
"JULIETA" at Silloth, 9th Mar 2024
A mid-morning departure bound for Ayr.
The 3,370ton DWT vessel had arrived on the previous tide from Jorf Lasfar, Morocco with fertiliser. Half the cargo was unloaded before departing for Ayr to discharge the remainder.
The ship which was built in 1995 and is listed amongst the fleet of 'Interscan Shipping', was making her first call at the port.
The easterly wind made for a bitterly cold morning. This hindered the ship pulling away from the quayside. Manoeuvring to gain a position to pass through the dock entrance also took longer than normal.
The crew were dressed for the climate and looked happy to be on their way.
The gallery shows more photos of the departure into the Solway.
"KAPRIFOL" at Silloth, 27th Feb 2024
Discharging at the molasses terminal.
The 2,800ton DWT tanker had arrived overnight from Zeebrugge.
The Limassol registered vessel carried the funnel marking of 'Sea Tank Chartering' of Bergen. She is the smallest of a fleet of sixteen.
She had been loaded with Guatemalan molasses by ship-to-ship transfer from CHEM STAR 1 (9731731).
Unfortunately, the only other photos available were those taken through gaps in the dock boundary fence:-
Courtesy of Danny Ferris
"NEPTUNE" at Workington, 22nd Feb 2024
Outbound for Belfast.
The 2,400ton DWT ex ISLAY TRADER had made her first visit in recent years with timber from Corpach. The departure was followed from the south pier on a grey morning. The ship is managed by 'Faversham Ships' for 'SEAG8'.
"ZAPADNYY" at Silloth, 10th Feb 2024
The molasses tanker aground on a sandbank at the dock entrance. Photo courtesy of Danny Ferris.
Inbound from Bremen, the fully loaded tanker became firmly grounded attempting to enter port on the midday tide. Built in 1988, the 3,300ton DWT vessel is seen regularly at Silloth but has had problems on previous visits, the last grounding being in 2016. The tanker was refloated on the following tide and entered port. The leakage of some cargo was reported.
"TRUFFALDINO" at Silloth, 30th Jan 2024
The usual group of photographers gathered to witness the ship entering Marshall Dock on arrival from Germany.
The 3,000ton DWT vessel was carrying a full load of wheat from the Baltic port of Vierow. The German port specialises in handling grain.
The vessel has had several name changes since construction in 1999 as HANSA BREMEN. Traces of the previous name, MARINDA, were still visible on plates at the bow & stern,
The ship is registered in Kingstown on the Caribbean island of St.Vincent and Grenandines. Management is handled by 'Baltnautic' of Lithuania.
The arrival was followed on a grey afternoon in calm conditions. The ship made a graceful approach and entry, and was secured at the unloading quay.
"DANIEL K." at Workington, 27th Jan 2024
Passing the South Pier, inbound from N.Spain.
The 4,200ton DWT vessel was carrying baled wood pulp from Ribadeo, a regular source of pulp for the local paperboard mill.
Seen exiting the port with a part load of fertiliser.
The ship had arrived 24hr earlier from Antwerp. This was the first visit for the Barbados registered vessel.
The 3,000ton DWT vessel was built in 1996 as SVENJA.
The pilot guided the ship out of the dock into the Solway where it headed for Workington pilot station.
"FRI RIVER" at Workington, 15th Jan 2024
Seen turning in the harbour basin.
The 2,300ton DWT vessel, belonging to the 'Kopervik' fleet, was inbound from Figueira da Foz with bales of wood pulp. The approach and entry to the harbour basin was followed on a bitterly cold afternoon.
"SEA MELODY" at Workington, 14th Jan 2024
Inbound from Corpach, W.Scotland.
Arriving on the midday tide with timber for the Iggesund paper mill.
The 3,800ton DWT vessel was built in 2002 as OOSTERBRUG. She is managed by the German company 'Fehn Shipping' for owners 'Gillie & Blair'. The ship last visited Workington in 2020 as YVONNE K.
The ship was photographed approaching the south pier accompanied by pilot tug DERWENT. Once in the harbour basin she was turned before reversing into the dock.
"WILSON AVEIRO" at Silloth, 10th Jan 2024
Seen manoeuvring in New Dock.
The 3,600ton DWT vessel arrived with fertiliser from Lithuania. It was the first cargo of the year having sailed from the Baltic via the Kiel Canal and English Channel.
The ship was built in 2006 as FOLKMAR ALLENA. It was last seen in Silloth in 2012 as AVIERO.
The Bridgetown registered vessel arrived on a calm morning after a 7day sailing from Klaipeda. The ship was photographed as it lined up to enter the dock through until it was being tied-up 3omin later.
"ANTJE K." at Workington, 19th Dec 2023
Seen manoeuvring off the port.
The 4,200ton DWT vessel arrived off the port from N.Spain with baled wood pulp.
Built in 2002, ANJE K. is chartered by 'Alstership' to ' MF Ship Management' of Delfzijl. The ship is seen regularly on the 3 to 4day sailing from Ribadeo.
The ship was lined-up for its late afternoon approach in blustery conditions. Quality of the photos was not good as the light faded.
"VERTOM MARJOLIJN" at Workington, 20th Nov 2023
Inbound from Ribadeo.
Arriving at dusk with wood pulp from N.Spain. The 3,600ton DWT vessel was built as WILSON ALGECIRAS in 2010. The Luxembourg registered vessel is now one of the large fleet operated by Ductch company 'Vertom'.
"SHETLAND TRADER" at Workington, 12th Nov 2023
Inbound from Scrabster.
The 2,400ton DWT vessel was bringing timber from the north of Scotland.
The ship is listed as owned by 'Faversham Ships' but was displaying the logos of 'Cargo Mariners' and 'SEAG8' on the wheelhouse. The morning arrival proceeded smoothly with the ship manoeuvring in the basin before entering the dock bow first.
"CM COAST" at Workington, 21st Oct 2023
Inbound from Corpach.
A late afternoon arrival with logs for the local Iggesund paperboard plant, The 1,500ton DWT vessel was making her first call at Workington. She was built in 1985 as GALAXA and has since been renamed GALATEA and EEMS COAST. She now flies the Liberian flag and is owned by 'Cargo Mariners' of Faversham.
SR Merchant Navy Class "BRITISH INDIA LINE" 35018 Whitehaven, 21st Oct 2023
Seen making a brief stop at Whitehaven Station before heading south on the single-track line.
The 'Pathfinder Railtours' excursion was on the return leg of a Bristol Temple Meads to Carlisle day trip. The train had been diesel-hauled northbound via Shap Summit to Carlisle. The SR loco was waiting at Carlisle to take charge on the route south via the Cumbrian Coast Line as far as Carnforth.
The locomotive was built at Eastleigh in 1945, rebuilt in 1956 and had a working life of 20yrs on Southern Region.
It was moved to Woodham Bros Scrapyard in Barry where it languished before being purchased by private owners who began restoration at 'Mid Hants Railway' in 1980.
Restoration was completed at Carnforth and main line service began again in 2018.
The immaculately restored locomotive was making its first visit to the Cumbrian coast.
The twelve coach train had a full quota of passengers.
It stopped just long enough for the crew to walk to the Token Box to gain permission to proceed on the single track.
"ARKLOW CLIFF" at Workington, 18th & 21st Oct 2023
Inbound from Portugal.
Built in 2017, the 5,100ton DWT vessel was carrying powdered cement from the 'CIMPOR' depot in Lisbon. The ship has made one previous visit in June 2021. The arrival was greeted by a cold north easterly and followed from the south pier.
Three days later the partly unloaded ship was turned in the harbour basin to enable the remainder of powdered cement to be pumped out.
"WESTEWIND" at Silloth, 16th Oct 2023
Seen approaching the outer dock.
The 2,800 ton DWT vessel was making her first call at the port with fertiliser from Hamburg. She was built in 2003 as HILJA MARJAN.
Now listed amongst the 'WAGENBORG' fleet, there is still a prominent 'AMADEUS' logo on the wheelhouse. To add to the confusion, the flag of 'HGK Shipping' was flying from the bow mast. The Dutch ship had un unusual port of registry, Wemeldinge, a village on the former island of Zuid-Beveland. The ship made a graceful entry to the port on the midday tide in dead calm conditions.
"SPANACO SIMPLICITY" at Silloth, 15th Oct 2023
Seen approaching the dock entrance.
Inbound from Aviles, N.Spain on the midday tide with fertiliser. SIMPLICITY is 1 of 5 vessels operated by 'Spanaco Shipping' of Cyprus. The 4,200 ton DWT vessel was built in 2009 and is the ex AMURDIEP.
"MAY B" at Workington, 4th Oct 2023
Inbound from Corpach.
The 2,400ton DWT vessel had a hold cargo of timber for the local paperboard mill. She was built in 1996 as EVERT PRAHM. Now registered in Panama, the owner is listed as 'Viya Ship Management' of Instanbul. The ship is currently under contract to 'Great Glen Shipping' of Fort William on Irish Sea routes. It was a dull afternoon with drizzle for the arrival.
"FRI LIEPAJA" at Workington, 3rd Oct 2023
Inbound from Ribadeo.
The 4,900ton DWT vessel was bringing baled wood pulp from N.Spain. She has made previous visits to Workington as ARKLOW RIVAL. Ownership changed to 'Kopervik Shipping' in 2021.
"SCOT RANGER" at Workington, 3rd Oct 2023
Outbound for Kilroot.
A busy afternoon at Workington with SCOT RANGER outbound passing FRI LIEPAJA as it heads for the pilot disembarkation point.
SCOT RANGER, a regular visitor to the port had made her first call of the year with baled wood pulp from Vlissingen. The ship was built in 2021 with a DWT of 5,150ton.
The departure was followed on a blustery afternoon with good visibility. The final photo is a distant image of the pilot climbing down the rope ladder onto the tug DERWENT.
"ARKLOW COVE" at Workington, 28th Sep 2023
Inbound from Lisbon.
Arriving with powdered cement. This was the fifteenth delivery of the year. The Arklow registered vessel was built in 2022 at 5,000ton DWT. The ship was the first arrival after Storm Agnes had weakened, The arrival had been delayed by the ship taking shelter off Anglesey overnight,
SR Battle of Britain Class, 34067 "TANGMERE" at Workington, 23rd Sep 2023
Seen south of Workington Station on the return leg of a 'Northern Belle' excursion.
The loco was built in 1947 in Brighton and completed many years of service before withdrawal and subsequent restoration. 'Northern Belle' specialises in luxury steam excursions in pullman accommodation. The tour was returning to Telford via the Cumbrian Coast after a brief stop at Penrith. The route bypassing Carlisle station was used to access the coastal line. Heritage diesel 57 601 "WINDSOR CASTLE" was at the rear of the train.
"RUNNER" at Silloth, 21st Sep 2023
Outbound for Campbeltown.
The 2,500ton DWT freighter was built in 1996 as BORNRIF. She spent many years in the 'Scotline' fleet as SCOT EXPLORER.
The Liberian registered vessel is now listed as being managed by 'Bulkers Marine' of Piraeus.
She bears a prominent 'TimberLINK' logo on the wheelhouse. This is a Scottish Government backed scheme to support coastal shipping around Argyll and Ayrshire with the aim of reducing the impact of road transport on local communities. The map shows the areas and ports covered.
On this latest visit to Silloth she was engaged on a non-timber cargo, furnace bottom ash from the Coolkeeragh power station near Londonderry.
"TROUBADOUR" at Silloth, 21st Sep 2023
Inbound from Amsterdam.
The 2,600ton DWT vessel was built in 2011 as HANOI. She is operated by 'Baltnautic' of Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Arrival off Cumbria coincided with southwesterly storms preventing immediate docking. The fully laden ship rode out the storm off St.Bees.
The ship was seen manoeuvring off the port before entering on the afternoon tide.
After passing through Marshall Dock the ship was secured at a temporary berth.
"RIX WARRIOR" at Silloth, 21st Sep 2023
Outbound for Waterford, Ireland.
The 4,100ton DWT vessel was built as CELTIC WARRIOR in 1996. She is now part of the fleet of 'Rix Shipping' of Riga.
Making her first call at the port the ship had delivered fertiliser from Terneuzen.
She had arrived four days earlier but stormy weather resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Lee had delayed departure. The empty vessel was photographed squeezing through the dock entrance into Marshall Dock and onwards into the Solway. on the afternoon tide.
"ARKLOW GLEN" at Workington, 5th Sep 2023
Inbound from Lisbon.
The 5,100ton DWT vessel was bringing powdered cement from Portugal. The new build vessel was launched from the Westerbroek yard of 'Ferus Smit' in June.
"SCOT PIONEER" at Silloth, 30th Aug 2023
Inbound from Germany.
The 3,600 ton DWT vessel was bringing wheat from Rostock. Built in 2006 as HARNS, the ship was acquired by 'Scotline' two years later. The midday arrival was followed as the ship manoeuvred off the port before entering the dock.
"BALTIC ARROW" at Workington, 24th Aug 2023
Inbound from Scrabster.
The 3,000ton DWT vessel was carrying biofuel logs for the Combined Heat & Power unit at the nearby Iggesund paperboard mill.
The unusually shaped hatch covers are a feature introduced by previous owner 'Wijnne Barends' to offer extra protection to cargo. The Dutch owned LADY NOLA was sold in Jan '23 to 'Klip Marine' of Estonia.
As BALTIC ARROW, she is now registered in Basseterre of St.Kitts & Nevis. The Caribbean islands are an independent state but retain close ties with the UK. The afternoon arrival was followed as it passed the south pier towards the harbour basin.
"SCOT LEADER" at Workington, 24th Aug 2023
Outbound for Limerick.
See item below, 22nd Aug, for more details of the ship.
EARLIER PHOTOS can be found on Archive Pages for SILLOTH and WORKINGTON.