FRI KVAM (Limassol) IMO 9211078, en route & at the quayside 5th Jul 2023
The ship arrived at Silloth overnight. Fortunately it was photographed en route passing the Mull of Galloway from the STENA HIBERNIA ferry, Thanks to Rob Wicks for the photo, a truck driver & keen photographer aboard the Heysham to Belfast ferry.
The 4,000ton DWT vessel was carrying wheat from Vierow, Germany. The ship is 1 of 17 operated by 'Kopervik Group' of Norway. She was photographed unloading at the dockside.
WILSON ASTAKOS (Luxembourg) IMO 9313759, 15th Jun 2023
Inbound from the Mediterranean port of Sagunto.
A first visit to Silloth for the 3,600ton DWT general cargo vessel with a cargo of fertiliser from Spain.
The 'Wilson' vessel carries the usual company funnel emblem plus the remnants of the 'Vertom' shipping logo on the wheelhouse, but isn't listed amongst their fleet.
The vessel was built in 2010 and now registered in Luxembourg.
She was later than normal arriving off the port and made a direct approach and entry at high water. The morning arrival coincided with the June heatwave. The ship made a graceful entrance In calm conditions with crew at the bow happy to give a thumbs-up as they passed..
The vessel was soon being turned in New Dock and brought alongside.
ELSBORG (Delfzijl) IMO 9411771, 4th Jun 2023
Turning in New Dock.
The 3,600ton DWT 'Wagenborg' vessel was inbound from Antwerp with fertiliser.
Shel was built in 2010 as ZEELAND in the Dutch 'Bijlsma Yard'.
A regular visitor in 2021 to Silloth when two visits were made. A well-controlled approach and entry to the port on the midday tide .was followed.
The ship was soon brought alongside after turning in New Dock.
PLATO (Bridgetown) IMO 8822636, 1st Jun 2023
Inbound approaching the port.
The 3,700ton DWT vessel arrived on the morning tide with fertiliser from Klaipeda, Lithuaniia.
The ship had spent a week at sea sailing via the N.Sea and W.Scotland to reach Cumbria. It was then held at anchor off Workington for a further five five days due to neap tides.
Built in 1986, PLATO is one of the few 'Wilson' ships without the company name as a prefix.
The ship was lined up to enter Marshall Dock in calm conditions.
She was seen passing construction of new stonework on the outer wall. In Marshall Dock the ship veered off course and needed to reverse before being realigned.
BREMEN (Limassol) IMO 9617301 10th May 2023
A fine afternoon for the arrival from Workington.
BREMEN was bringing fertiliser from Sagunto, Spain. Part of the load had been discharged at Workington to reduce the draft.
The 3,800ton DWT vessel was built in 2012. as RMS BREMEN. She had been seen previously in Silloth as WILSON LIMERICK. The ship manager is listed as 'Hermann Lohmann' but the flag of the 'Baltic Shipping Company' was flying from the bow mast.
The ship was photographed approaching the port where she waited for maximum water depth before making her entrance. Thirty minutes later she had been turned in New Dock and being made secure ready for unloading.
WILSON GDYNIA (Bridgetown) IMO 9056064 9th May 2023
Inbound from Ghent.
An afternoon arrival for the very smart-looking 'Wilson' vessel.
The Norwegian company operates 130 vessels on European short sea routes. Built in 1994 at 3,600ton DWT, GDYNIA was loaded with fertiliser from Belgium.
After manoeuvring off the port, the ship made a well-controlled approach and entry at high water. The ship was turned in the dock and brought alongside where wagons where waiting to start unloading.
Twenty four hours later the ship departed for Londonderry.
PEAK BILBAO (Harlingen) IMO 9545027 3rd May 2023
Inbound from Antwerp.
The 3,900ton DWT vessel is 1 of 6 project carriers operated by the 'Peak Group' of Norway - an unusual visitor to Silloth. The ship was built in 2011 as ABIS BILBAO.
AMADEUS AMETHIST (Druten) IMO 9223435 2nd May 2023
A morning arrival from Rotterdam.
The 2,700ton DWT Dutch built and registered vessel flies the company flag of 'HGK Shipping', although 'De Bock Maritiem' is listed as the owner on some websites..
The ship is frequently used to navigate inland river routes taking advantage of its moveable mast & bridge.
The approach and entry at Silloth proceeded smoothly in calm conditions.
Crew at the bow were happy to give a wave after their 3day sailing.
TRANSMAR (Riga) IMO 9167332 27th Apr 2023
Seen departing south for orders.
The 4,100ton DWT vessel had arrived on the previous tide with fertiliser from Jorf Lasfar, Morocco.
The ship, operated by 'Held Shipping' of Germany, was making her first visit to Silloth. The sailing from N. Africa included a call at Newport, S.Wales where half the cargo was unloaded.
The ship was seen at the quayside preparing for departure, including a last-minute repair to the bow masthead navigation light. In calm conditions the ship squeezed through the dock entrance before powering away into the Solway.
RIMINI (Barendrecht) IMO 9421635 21st Mar 2023
Inbound from Amsterdam.
The 2,600ton DWT general cargo vessel was making her first call at Silloth with a cargo of fertiliser.
The Dutch owned and registered vessel was built in 2008 and named MARIA. She is 1 of 3 vessels operated by 'ERA Chartering' of Barendrecht.
Crew & pilot made a well-controlled approach & entrance on a blustery morning. Once in New Dock the ship was turned and brought alongside.
EASTERN VANQUISH (London) IMO 9411836 6th Jan 2023
Inbound from the Baltic port of Vierow.
The 3,500ton DWT vessel arrived on a blustery morning with a full cargo of wheat from Germany..
The sailing had taken 2weeks. The usual short cut through the Kiel Canal wasn't possible due an oil spillage causing closure. In the Channel the ship dropped anchor in Torbay for a couple of days. Finally, it waited for a week off Wicklow before tidal conditions were suitable in the Solway.
The ship made a well controlled approach and entry. She was last seen at Silloth in Jun '22 on the same route.
LIVA GRETA (Monrovia) IMO 8801072, 2nd Sep 2022
Entering Marshall Dock on a first visit to Silloth.
The 1,300 ton DWT vessel was inbound from Vlissingen with wood pulp. Built in 1988, the 64m long vessel is owned by 'Greta Marine' of Maidstone. The ship was recently reflagged to Liberia, port of registry Monrovia.
A direct approach and entry was made on the afternoon tide in calm conditions. The 750ton load was quickly unloaded permitting departure on the following tide.
ELISE (St.John's) IMO 9454462, 26th Aug 2022
Beached on the approach to the dock entrance.
Not all arrivals at Silloth go to plan.
The sand bank to the south of the dock entrance came to the rescue of ELISE as the ship drifted off course when attempting to enter port. This would provide a safe haven until she was refloated on the following tide at midnight. These manoeuvres could be tracked on the Marine Traffic website.
The stranded ship attracted the attention of locals & visitors who were keen to get close-up views of this rare event.
ELISE was making her second visit to Silloth, on this occasion with furnace bottom ash from the Coolkeeragh Power Station in Londonderry. The 3,100ton DWT vessel, built in 2007, is 1 of 8 operated by 'Van Dam Shipping'.
ELISE was in the News in March 2021 when she broke loose from her mooring in Littlehampton Harbour, coming to rest on mud across the River Arun. The situation was recovered without damage or injury.
MITTELPLATE (Gibraltar) IMO 9501203, 13th Aug 2022
Inbound from Rouen with wheat.
A first visit to the port for the 3,200ton DWT vessel. Built in 2009, the Gibraltar registered vessel is operated by 'BRIESE SHIPPING' of Leer, DE. The ship had loaded cargo at the major grain export centre on the banks of the River Seine. A calm afternoon for the arrival which proceeded smoothly except for one anxious moment when the ship appeared to pass close to the outer dock wall.
An early morning arrival with fertiliser from the Black Sea port, the first delivery for Silloth from this distant location.
The 3,000ton DWT vessel, built 1998, is operated by 'West-Trade Logistics'. The German company owns a fleet of seven similar sized vessels.
The ship had made the 18day sailing via the Mediterranean with a brief refuelling stop at Gibraltar, a total distance of almost 3,800miles.
The ship arrived off Silloth at high water and made a direct approach to the port's entrance.
The gallery follows the passage into the outer dock.
The early morning light was poor resulting in dark images.
As the ship berthed the rain began.
The bagged cargo was unloaded the following day and the ship ready for departure on the evening tide.
Crew were seen preparing the gangway for the pilot to board.
The ship was followed exiting the dock and passing the pier into the Solway bound for Teignmouth.
LADY ASTRID (Delfzijl) IMO 9760419, 29th Jul 2022
Seen unloading fertiliser from Aviles, N.Spain.
The 3,700ton DWT vessel was built in 2016. She bears the standout livery of 'Wijnne Barends' of the Netherlands. The company is expanding rapidly with new builds, and currently operates a fleet of thirty three.
PAULA C (Cowes) IMO 9373553, 12th Jul 2022
See entering Marshall Dock.
Inbound from Antwerp with fertiliser on the morning tide after waiting overnight at Workington anchorage
At 5,000ton DWT, the ship is one of the smaller vessels in a fleet of 34 operated by 'Carisbrooke Shipping' of Cowes, IOW.
Making her first visit to Silloth, the UK registered ship looked to be in a need of a lick of paint.
The gallery follows the well-judged approach and entry in blustery conditions.
EASTERN VANQUISH (London) IMO 9411836, 16th Jun 2022
Outbound for Newport, S.Wales.
The 3,500ton DWT vessel departed in ballast after delivering wheat from Vierow, Germany.
On a blustery afternoon crew welcomed the pilot aboard before lifting the gangway and completing final preparations for departure.
The gallery shows the ship exiting the dock into the Solway where it headed south towards Workington and pilot disembarkation,.
LISA (Limassol) IMO 9235505, 31st May 2022
Seen unloading fertiliser.
The 4,850ton DWT ship had arrived on the night tide from Antwerp. She forms part of the 'Lohmann Shipping' fleet.
GERDA (Riga) IMO 8906212, 22nd May 2022
Inbound from Germany.
The 1260ton DWT coaster was making her first visit to the port. Built by Bijlsma & Zonen in 1989 she has had several name changes, She was DAN PROVIDER before the current Latvian owners. The cargo was wood pulp from Brake on the River Weser. The route via the North Sea took 5days. The vessel arrived late afternoon in blustery conditions and made a direct entry to the outer dock. Once in New Dock the ship was turned and a rope attached from the stern to the quay. Berthing then became slow until a rope was eventually secured from the bow.
INDI (Madeira) IMO 9370290, 28th Apr 2022
Inbound from Antwerp.
The 3,850ton DWT vessel was bringing fertiliser from Belgium. Making her second call of the year, she is one of twenty seven vessels operated by 'Interscan Shipping' of Hamburg. She was built in 2008 as CLARE CHRISTINE. With an easterly wind blowing, the ship was lined-up and guided into the dock.
PATRIA (Limassol) IMO 9123312, 21st Apr 2022
Approaching the unloading berth in New Dock.
The 'Interscan' freighter was inbound from Lithuania with fertiliser.
She had set off a week earlier from the Baltic port of Klaipeda.
The 3,500ton DWT vessel was built at 'PETERS SHIPYARD' in Germany in 1995.
The ship was photographed arriving on the afternoon tide, firstly lining-up off the port, and then entering the dock.
WIDOR (Limassol) IMO 9528483, 18th Mar 2022
Seen unloading bagged fertiliser at the quayside.
The 3,450ton DWT vessel had arrived from Muuga, Estonia, on the the previous night's tide. Muuga is the country's major cargo-handling port situated in the Gulf of Finland.
The ship bears the funnel emblem of 'Interscan Shipping' of Hamburg. Built in 2009, the Lamassol registered ship was making her first call at the port. Efficient unloading enabled the ship to leave 24hrs after arrival.
ZAPADNYY (Belize City) IMO 8711837, 4th Mar 2022
Inbound from Amsterdam.
The 3,300ton DWT vessel was making one of her regular deliveries of liquid molasses.
The specialist tanker was built in Bulgaria in 1988 & is owned by Ukrainian company 'YUGREFTRANSFLOT'.
She was well protected with fenders at the bow as she can be difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces. It was a smooth approach and passage into New Dock where she was turned and brought alongside the discharge point.
BALTIYSKIY BEREG (St.Petersburg) IMO 9327176, 30th Jan 2022
Inbound from Latvia on the morning tide.
The 3,700ton DWT vessel was built in Turkey in 2005 as ULUS SKY. 'KOTLIN Shipping' of St. Petersburg are listed as the owners, however the emblem of 'Albros' was prominent on the funnel.
The route from Riga with fertiliser took her via Kiel and the English Channel. She arrived in a calm window between storms Malik and Corrie.
The fully laden vessel made a very careful approach and entry to the dock. With a beam of almost 16m she is unusually wide to enter Silloth.
INDI (Madeira) IMO 9370290, 18th Jan 2022
Manoeuvring towards the unloading quay on arrival from Antwerp.
The 3,850ton DWT vessel was bringing fertiliser from Belgium. Having set out from Antwerp on 5th Jan, her arrival off Workington coincided with a cycle of neap tides; this meant an 8day wait at anchor until there was sufficient water.
Conditions at Silloth were calm for the midday arrival on a grey day. Once in New Dock she was turned, accompanied by a display of black smoke, and brought alongside.
This was the second visit of the ship under this name. She had previously visited as CLARE CHRISTINE in 2012. She is now one of a fleet of twenty seven operated by 'Interscan Shipping' of Hamburg.
PHOTOS FROM EARLIER YEARS CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL PAGES