On Thursday 28th March, 2024 the 2007 built tug CHRISTOS LV towing the 135m long pipe layer SEMINOLE was seen approaching within territorial waters (wtw) bound to Bunkering Area 1 for uplifting bunkers and crew change at 2338 hrs.
CHRISTOS LV is not a new face in Malta though she never called under Greek ownership.
She was built in 2007 by Keppel Singmarine at Singapore for Smit International trading until 2016.
Renamed AFRIK ORIMILI for short time in fact trading until December 2016, she was acquired by Smit Lamnalco and renamed as SL LINGGA of which she was seen berthed at Wine Wharf back to 2013.
Trading until June 2021 she was sold to her current owners and renamed as CHRISTOS LIX trading for 5 months until she was renamed as CHRISTOS LV during December 2021.
Meanwhile the 135.81m pipe layer SEMINOLE was built in France by Chantier Dubigeon Normandie at Nantes, Saint Nazaire in 1975 as ETPM 701 trading until 1979. She was sold and renamed GAL DLB 900 until July 1997. Sold again and renamed as GLOBAL SEMINOLE until March 2011.
On 7th March 2011 she was christened at Ortona, Italy , renamed SEMINOLE for the Italian Maritime Provider Micoperi Srl and she was completely rebuilt including full compliance to the SPS (Special Purpose Ship) Safety requirements.
With 30.5 m beam and maximum draft of 6 m she has 10-point mooring (10t Delta Flipper anchors) and accommodation of 250 souls.
After the convoy completed bunkers of which had to be done separately since the bunker broker choose 2 different Bunkering Providers, the tug CHRISTOS LV requested permission from Valletta VTS to heave up anchors from her anchored position towards SEMINOLE at 0923 hrs on Good Friday 29th March, 2024.
At 0958 hrs tug arrived in SEMINOLE anchored position.
At 1035 hrs SEMINOLE requested permission from Valletta VTS to heave up anchors from her anchored position and at 1108 hrs she reported that she was underway.
At 1130 hrs CHRISTOS LV reported to Valletta VTS that she’s leaving Bunkering Area 1 and going to drift while she awaits a service launch.
And at 1302 hrs conveyance service (Bunker Samples Delivery) by workboat WILFRED was completed –
And towage completed her voyage bound to Takoradi, Republic of Ghana…..
Towage was represented in Malta by Seven Seas Shipping & Maritime Services who are our SPONSORS too for a lifetime. – www.sevenseasshipping.org
