The third and last batch from the 10 Chinese Bottom Trawlers calling at Malta entered on Monday 6th November, 2023, making them the first ever Bottom Trawlers to call at Malta, First Chinese fishing vessels to call inside Grand Harbour since we had within territorial waters (wtw) and 6 sisterships on their maiden call in less than 6 hours.
First to pass breakwater (1238 hrs)was the 2021 built 28.61 metres Bottom Trawler YUAN YU 718 built at Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Weihai, China completed on 20th August,2021.
With Radio Callsign as BZV8D and homeported at Qin Huang Dao (CHN) she proceeded to Pinto 1 Wharf.
Stores from Salvo Grima and uplifting bunkers by Premier Fuels were done within few minutes after she was secured.
After customs clearance was in place she casted off the berth , passing breakwaters at 1557 hrs bound to join her sisters on the passage to their next stop at Las Palmas, before reaching her final destination – Senegal.
Second one was the 2021 built 28.61 metres Bottom Trawler YUAN YU 719 passing breakwaters at 1244 hrs. She was also built at Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Weihai, China completed on 20th August,2021.
With Radio Callsign as BZV9D and homeported at Qin Huang Dao (CHN) she proceeded to Pinto 1 Wharf.
Stores from Salvo Grima and uplifting bunkers by Premier Fuels were done within few minutes after she was secured.
After customs clearance was in place she casted off the berth , passing breakwaters at 1601 hrs bound to join her sisters on the passage to their next stop at Las Palmas, before reaching her final destination – Senegal.
Third one was the 2021 built 28.61 metres Bottom Trawler YUAN YU 720 passing breakwaters at 1250 hrs. She was also built at Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Weihai, China completed on 20th August,2021.
With Radio Callsign as BZV2E and homeported at Qin Huang Dao (CHN) she proceeded to Pinto 2 Wharf.
Stores from Salvo Grima and uplifting bunkers by Premier Fuels were done within few minutes after she was secured. Once she was done from bunkers, she awaited 721 to leave together, in fact she passed breakwaters at 1759 hrs bound to join her sisters on the passage to their next stop at Las Palmas, before reaching her final destination – Senegal.
And the last one was the 2021 built 28.61 metres Bottom Trawler YUAN YU 721 passing breakwaters at 1256 hrs. She was also built at Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Weihai, China completed on 20th August,2021.
With Radio Callsign as BZV3E and homeported at Qin Huang Dao (CHN) she proceeded to Pinto 2 Wharf.
Stores from Salvo Grima Supplies were done and on completion of uplifting bunkers by Premier Fuels, it was time to leave. Following the High Speed Craft SAINT JOHN PAUL II she passed breakwaters at 1805 hrs bound to join her sisters on the passage to their next stop at Las Palmas, before reaching her final destination – Senegal.
And the leading vessel YUAN YU 709 of which she was berthed at Wine Wharf since Sunday 5th November and had an English speaking Chinese National passed breakwaters at 1840 hrs.
All vessels were berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves, part of Valletta Cruise Port.
For more information about Valletta Cruise Port kindly visit their website – www.vallettacruiseport.com
All Chinese Bottom Trawlers were represented in Malta by Seven Seas Shipping & Maritime Services – www.sevenseasshipping.org
