Canadian “Asterix” arrived in Tromsø this morning:
Photo: Asimut III via NSF
Soroysund discharging cargo on the beach at St Kilda - July 2025
Photo: Bill Mcf (Facebook)
Originaly a Norwegian Navy vessel:
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3530951?
Not her most flattering angles maybe?:
The bulker NEW FUTURE inbound for the EMO Mississippihaven assisted by the VB SCHELDE, VB SEAL and the VB EXPLORER Photo: Peet de Rouw (c)
Photo: Preston Brook
Is that better?:
Photo: rick voice
At the other end of the spectrum:
Coastal tanker “Polar Viking” northbound in Tromsøysundet.
Photo: Asimut via NSF
Maersk Hojo is a modern very large crude carrier (VLCC) built by Universal Shipbuilding Corp. at Ariake, Japan. Her keel was laid in December 2010, launched in October 2012, and she was completed in April 2013. She sails under the Panama flag and was originally managed by Nissen Kaiun/Southern Route, later joining Euronav NV in 2014 under the name Hojo.
The vessel measures 330 meters in length, 60 meters in beam, and nearly 30 meters in depth, with a deadweight tonnage of 302,965. She can carry over 1.34 million cubic meters of cargo across 18 tanks. Her propulsion is provided by a Mitsubishi–built 1D-15.5 diesel engine producing 26,610 kW, giving her a service speed of around 17 knots. With her double-hull design, advanced safety systems, and compliance with new-generation tanker standards, Maersk Hojo represents the transition of VLCCs into safer, more efficient crude carriers for global oil trade.
Source: Naval Nostalgia
PS> Dimensioned to be able to use the Deep Draught route through the Malacca and Singapore Strait in loaded condition..
I remember the first VLCC I saw, when rounding C. of Good Hope E’bound in the early Seventies. It was Salén’s “Sea Serpent”, and it was massive!
Not U.S. flagged. Used to see her docked astern of us at L. Beach A berths.
That is correct. As can be seen from the linked Baltic Shipping listing, she is ex. KOTA LATIF, still Singapore flagged and owned by PIL.
PS> Probably on long term charter to Matson, thus the name “Matson Maui”. (??)
There are a couple/few of those foreign-flagged Matson charters that call Long Beach.
I’ve forgotten the names of the others I’ve seen (Kauai?). The most recent American “Maui” and “Kauai”, gone now, were among my favorite Matson ships.
The SEAFOX 4 at maximum elevation in the port of IJmuiden
Photo: Flying Focus Aerial Photography www.flyingfocus.nl ©
https://share.google/q4NNh7GLnMxgUyZXr
PS> What is the escape routes when up there?
Originally built as the MODU “Transocean 4” in Kiel, Germany in 1976
Bergen Line’s TS “LEDA” was known as “Queen of the North Sea”
Pictures posted by Roy Ludvigsen
Built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. in Wallsend, UK, launched in 1952 and completed in April 1953.
She provided a regular passenger service between Newcastle, UK, and Bergen, Norway, from 1953 to 1974.
Thereafter she had a long and varied carera as Hotelship and Cruise ship under various named and ownerships. Final name was “Star of Venice”:
Broken up in Turkey 2001, after nearly 50 years of service.
The second ship on the Bergen - Newcastle route in 1950s - 60s was MS “Venus”, blt. 1931. Broken up in 1968:
Photo from Norwegian Homefleet WW II - M/S Venus
The two seen here meeting in Korsfjorden sometime in 1960s:
Photo from [Rolf Norvins samling]
PS: More pictures taken onboard MS “Venus” can be found here:
(Rolf Norvins samling - Marcus)
Marcus
She was requisitioned by the Germans during WWII Was bombed and sunk in Hamburg 20/03 1945. Raised in Sept. and towed to Helsingør for repairs and rebuilding. Seen here at redelivery in 1948:
BRG50819310120002 VENUS in 1948. Bilde via Per Sundfær.
Seen here in Bergen 1956:
Photo: Bergens Tidende
I have one from a postcard of the Grace / Prudential Santa Clara transiting the Panama Canal. I sailed her as the Delta Columbia. It may have been her first voyage after Delta took her over from Prudential. The SIU and taken over from the NMU (I think) and we had to train as Delta Engine Utility. The engine room was semi-automated and it was a brand new rating between FOWT and QMED.
men.
Engine Utility is nothing more than a QMED that is paid less for the same work. It is not a USCG unlicensed rating.