Bahri Abha - brand new for Saudis

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, now trading under the name Bahri, brought in the first of its new ConRos today, and a spectacular ship it is.
Designed by Knud E. Hansen and built by Hyundai MipoDockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, the 50,714 gross ton ship is a bit of departure for NSCSA. Their previous 1982-83 era ConRos had a container capacity of 2310 TEU whereas the new ships carry only 364 TEU. RoRo capacity has been increased considerably to 24,000 m2 reflecting the realities of trade with Saudi. Halifax cargo usually involves fleets of military LAVs, and US loaded cargo involves lots of cars and SUVs. The new ships carry two 240  tonne heavy lift cranes for project cargoes,(the previous ships were gearless), and are painted blue, replacing the previous green, as part of the re-branding to Bahri. Dimensions are :220m x 32.3m x 9.5 m max draft. Deadweight is 26,000 tonnes.

The first ship, Bahri Abha, replaces Saudi Abha which last called here December 10, 2012 and has now been sent to the scrappers in Alang, India. Bahri Abha was handed over by Hyundai in January, and after a lengthy trials trip it was accepted February 5. Among the new features is a clean burning Wartsila slow speed Tier II compliant main engine and efficient integrated flap type rudder and propeller.

 The Danish designers, Knud E. Hansen, have designed many fine looking ships over the years, specializing in ferries, among them the Canadian Caribou and Joseph and Clara Smallwood of blessed memory.
Three more new Bahris will be delivered during the next 12 months.
The ships have an ambitious multi-stop rotation beginning in Baltimore (import), Houston, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington NC, Baltimore (export), New York, Halifax, then via the Med to Jeddah (eastbound), Jebel Ali, Dammam, Mesaieed, Mumbai, Mudrah, Jeddah (westbound), Livorno.

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Saudi Abha bows out

1. Saudi Abha dwarfs the tug Point Halifax while arriving in 1995.

I am reliably informed that we have seen the last of the container ship Saudi Abha. Its December 10 visit  was the final one in a lengthy history with the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia. The line was founded in 1979 and the ships have been calling here since the early days.
The company, which appears to be rebranding itself as "Bahri ", is expecting imminent delivery of the first of four (with an option for two more) modern RoRo container ships. Designed by Knud E. Hansen of Denmark, they carry a modest 364 TEU of containers, have two heavy lift cranes, and provide large RoRo space amounting to 24,000m2 on several decks. Deadweight tonnage will be in the 26,000 range. They will be 222m loa, 32.3m breadth and maximum 9.5m draft. Delivery of the first of the $100mn ships from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co in South Korea is expected any time now.
Saudi Abha, name ship of the four ship class currently working for NSCSA, was built in 1982 by Kockums AB of Malmo, Sweden. A ship of 44,171 gross, 42,600 deadweight, it has a 2310 TEU capacity and can carry 534 cars. The car decks are served by a massive 400 tonne capacity stern ramp, 49.3m long x 12m wide. The ship's dimensions are 248.72m loa x 32.31 breadth x 11.14m draft.
The other four ships Saudi Diryah (1982), Saudi Tabuk (1983) and Saudi Hofuf (1983) will be retired as the new ships come on line, likely quarterly.
For a look at the new ships, see Knud E. Hansen's web site: http://www.knudehansen.com/News/News-from-the-Company/Mar-15-2011/
But also look at NSCSA's own website for the rebranded Bahri look (which will not appear on the present ships, despite the artists impression): http://www.bahri.sa/home

2. The ship displays her huge ramp back in 1987.