On Monday 30th November, 2020 the 1986 built anchor handling tug supply (ahts) vessel THOR I towing the retired laker SALARIUM passed Malta on a voyage from Canada bound to Aliaga, Turkey for breakers
THOR I was built in Denmark in 1986 originally named as CHALLENGER III for short time until September 1986 where she was renamed as OIL CHALLENGER. In September 1991 she was sold and renamed as MAERSK CHALLENGER and was homeported at St. John’s, NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) with Canadian (CAN) Flag from 2002. in 2014 she was sold and renamed BLUE ARIES trading till late 2019. She was sold to Indian interests and renamed as THOR I. On Thursday 24th September , 2019 she entered Palumbo Malta Shipyard Facilities and berthed at Parlatorio Wharf.
On Friday 25th September, 2019 she did the bollard pull test at Palumbo Malta Shipyard Dock 6 bullnose as per below images –
Clearance to sail from Montreal, Canada was finally received and on Tuesday 27th October, 2020 towage was underway since the towage was expected to leave on Thursday 15th October but Ship Safety Inspectors denied permission to sail until certain repairs were made to the ship which was renamed as SAL (for the tow).
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Friday 1st January, 2021
