Wallenius Wilhelmsen - double header

Autocarriers from Wallenius Wilhelmsen are such familiar sights in Halifax that they draw little attention. However when there are two in port at the same time, it is worthy of mention.

Don Carlos picks up its tugs inbound for Autoport.

As per a previous post the Don Carlos arrived at Autoport on Sunday January 29. After discharging a mix of European autos it sailed again at noon time on Monday. While it was at Autoport, its younger sister ship Elektra arrived at Pier 9C early Monday. It offloaded RoRo cargo consisting of the usual hoard of JCBs, several Sandvik mine trucks and a mix of shrink wrapped boats an other wheeled equipment.

Only a small portion of Elektra's cargo had been offloaded when I took this photo.

Elektra dates from 1999 (Don Carlos from 1997) when it was built by Daewoo Okpo. As with its sister, it was lengthened 28 meters in 2005 and is now 67,264 gt, 28,126 dwt with a capacity of 7,194  autos.  Its stern ramp is rated for 125 tonnes. 

The Elektra moved to Autoport this morning (January 31) to unload cars, while the berth at Pier 9C was immediately occupied by the BBC Topaz (see previous post). Autoport operations were delayed today by a 5cm snow fall, so the ship is now scheduled to sail tomorrow Febraury 1.

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