New Old Ship

 The Mediterranean Shipping Company MSC has long been known for coaxing life out of older ships that other lines may have given up on. The formula continues to be successful for them. Even though they are ordering new ships, they are still operating many older vessels.

With the coming glut of ships as the economy cools down, any ship twenty years of age or more will be considered old. As new and more efficient ships are set for delivery this year and next it will be interesting to see how much longer MSC will want to operate ships such as today's arrival on its Turkey-Greece / East Coast North America service.

MSC Katya R. was built in 2002 by Samsung, Koje (now spelled Geoje). Launched as Santa Rebecca for the C-P Offen charter fleet, it was named P+O Nedlloyd Encounter on delivery. In 2005 it became Maersk Decatur and reverted to Santa Rebecca in 2010. In 2016 it became MSC Katya R., but has been under MSC management since 2014.

It is a 45,803 gt, 53,410 dwt vessel with a container capacity of 4112 TEU including 1300 reefers.

According to available records the ship completed its most recent survey in May of this year, and will require renewal as of January 1, 2027 and before April 30, 2027. Major upgrades may be necessary to maintain its classification after that date. Its very high reefer capacity may be one factor in its future as reefer trades are strong at the moment.[Class surveys are usually renewable in five year increments. A four year renewal may be required for older ships, depending on their condition.]

The ship's class certificate was issued in Istanbul (Tuzla) on May 26, it then sailed via Piraeus (June 4) to Napoli (June 7), Barcelona (June 9-10), Valencia (June 10-11), Sines, Portugal (June 13-14). It remained at anchor off Sines until June 15 and arrived off Halifax sometime over night June 21-22, and entered port mid-afternoon today, June 22. This indicates perhaps some slow speed sailing (12 knots or less) as a cost saving measure.

.