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.
"ARKLOW CAPE" at Workington, 22nd Apr 2024
Outbound for Portbury.
The 5,100ton DWT vessel was built in 2016 at the 'Ferus Smit' yard in Westerbroek. She is 1 0f 10 'Arklow' vessels featuring the bulbless bow design. This improves performance at various loading drafts.
Having unloaded a cargo of powdered cement from Lisbon, the ship was heading south to Portbury. This had been the fourth visit of the Arklow registered vessel with cement.
The departure was followed on a grey afternoon from the south pier.
"WATERWAY" at Silloth, 14th Apr 2024
Manoeuvring. in preparation to enter port.
The 1,500ton DWT vessel arrived off Silloth in blustery conditions.
The Kingstown (St. Vincent & Grenadines) registered vessel is operated by 'Cargo Mariners' of Faversham. She was built in 1996 as ALISSA.
The cargo of wheat had been loaded at Vierow, a German port on the Baltic Sea coast.
The vessel made her way to Silloth at a leisurely pace of 5-7knots via Kiel Canal and English Channel.
The pilot boarded from the launch PROVIDENCE in Allonby Bay.
"CELTIC EXPLORER" at Silloth, 11th Apr 2024
Outbound for Southampton.
Seen powering away from the dock after discharging a part cargo of fertiliser from Antwerp via Ayr. The 3,900ton DWT vessel was built in 2007 as MARA. It has made one previous visit to Silloth as KARINA G in Nov 2011. She bears the funnel emblem of ship manager 'Charles M Willie' of Cardiff, but doesn't appear on their fleet list.
"RUHRTAL" at Silloth, 11th Apr 2024
Turning at the port entrance on arrival.
The 3,700ton DWT vessel was making a first call at Silloth as RUHRTAL.
Built in 2005, she last visited the port 8years ago as SUDERAU.
The ship carries the logos of two operators; 'HS-Shipping' on the wheelhouse, and 'Baltic Shipping' along the hull. The vessel only appears on the fleet list of 'Baltic Shipping', a Danish company with more than 80 ships on its books.
Carrying fertiliser from Antwerp, the ship arrived on the afternoon tide in hazy conditions.
"KAPRIFOL" at Silloth, 8th Apr 2024
Inbound with molasses.
The 2,800ton DWT tanker was making her second call at Silloth with molasses from Bremen. The Limassol registered vessel carries the funnel marking of 'Sea Tank Chartering' of Bergen. She is the smallest of a fleet of sixteen. With the Workington pilot tug off-station, the tanker was diverted to Morecambe Bay to pick up the pilot from Barrow. With calm conditions for the midday arrival, the vessel made a smooth entry on an exceptionally high tide.
"FRIEDHELM" at Silloth, 6th Apr 2024
Inbound from Belgium.
A maiden call for the 3,800ton DWT vessel bringing fertiliser from Antwerp. The ship was built in China in 2023 for 'HS Shipping' and still looked in pristine condition, It's the second 'Damon CF3850' added to the fleet. A stainless steel plate identifying the build-type shone brightly on the wheelhouse.
The ship's arrival was followed on a calm, cloudy morning as it turned outside the port before making its approach and entry.
"BALTICA HAV" at Silloth, 30th Mar 2024
Inbound from Germany, manoeuvring off the port.
The 2,300ton DWT general cargo vessel was making her maiden call at Silloth. A ship with the same name (IMO 8215728), had called at Silloth in 2016 & '17. Her cargo was wheat from the Baltic port of Mukran. Built in 1984, she is operated by 'HAV Shipping' of Norway.
"VERTOM KARIANNE" at Silloth, 24th Mar 2024
Passing Criffel inbound.
The 3,600ton DWT vessel is one of a large fleet operated by 'Vertom' based in the Netherlands. It was previously on charter to 'Wilson' under the name WILSON ASTAKOS.
The arrival was followed as the ship was turned off the port in readiness to enter the dock at high water.
After entering New Dock the Luxembourg registered ship was turned and brought alongside. The cargo was fertiliser from Rouen bound for the local 'Origin' depot.
"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,
EARLIER PHOTOS can be found on Archive Pages for SILLOTH and WORKINGTON.