Thalatta - new for Wilhelmsen

A lobster boat works off Point Pleasant Park as Thalatta makes its way inbound.

Wilhelmsen's latest HERO (High Efficiency RoRo) class ship arrived for Autoport today. Named Thalatta (Goddess of the Sea a.k.a. Thalassa), the ship was built in 2015 by Hyundai Samho to a new of standard of efficiency and environmental compliance. Exhaust gas cleaning, a de-rated engine and numerous other features ensure that it complies with current regs and expected ones.

With tugs alongside, the ship shows a noticeable trim to port. Herring seiner Dual Venture is  outbound.

 

The most notable feature from the landside is its breadth of 36.5m (118 ft) . Greater than the old Panamax maximum 32.3m (106 ft), the ship thereby gains increased stability and reduced water ballast. As we have seen autocarriers are inherently unstable, and when something goes wrong with ballasting, the results can be catastrophic. From the ship's trim as it made its way in, I would have to saw they haven't quite got the hang of it yet.

The ship measures 75,283 grt, 23,786 dwt with a capacity of 8,000 CEU on 13 decks (4 strong, 5 liftable, 4 fixed for cars) it can also carry a variety of RoRo and breakbulk cargo employing a 320 tonne capacity stern ramp.

Built for the joint venture Wallenius Wilhelmsen service, the ship's arrival on this shore this month means that it will be too early for the enlarged Panama Canal's opening June 26, so will head back across the Atlantic once it calls in Brunswick GA and Charleston SC. It will then call in Bremerhaven, Gothenburg, Zeebrugge and Southampton and is due back in Halifax June 13.

The ship's massive funnel also contains the exhaust gas scrubber system.

After picking up its pilot off Chebucto Head the ship turned back out to sea for an hour then made its way slowly into the harbour. The ConRo Oceanex Connaigra was late getting off the Autoport pier to move over to Halterm, but when it finally did, the two ships gave each other a wide berth in number 1 anchorage.

Oceanex Connaigra makes a sweep toward pier 41.

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