ONE Owl

 The return of ONE Owl today (July 17) on the eastbound leg of its voyage (it was here westbound on June 28) gave an opportunity for a series of proper photos - unlike the 3/4 aft view from that last time.

 Accompanied by the tugs Atlantic Oak forward, Atlantic Beaver alongside aft, and Atlantic Fir - tethered escort astern - the ship made an impressive sight. Even though these "bird" class ships are regular callers on THE Alliance's EC5 service they are still something of a novelty due to their sheer size and unique colour.

As previously reported the 146,412 gt, 139,335 dwt ship has a capacity of 14,026 TEU. It was built as NYK Owl in 2017 by Japan Marine United in Kure and renamed in 2021. Its hull was repainted the magenta colour of Ocean Network Express at that time. (I guess we should be happy it was not painted as Edward Lear would have it: The owl and the pussycat went to sea / In a beautifiul pea-green boat.)

Ships of this size cannot reach the PSA Fairview Cove terminal and therefore the EC 5 and other services must be handled at the PSA Atlantic Gateway, southend terminal. This has resulted in lines that have smaller ships, relocating to Fairview Cove. (See yesterday's post on MSC's Turkey-Greece service.) I hear that others are to follow soon.

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