Mv Dunkerque Seaways

ex Maersk Dunkerque

Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 2005 by Samsung Heavy Industries, Geoje Korea (Yard No #1523) for Norfolk Line . Launched December 29^th 2004.

Technical Data

Length

186 meters

Breadth of hull

28.4 meters

Draught

6.75 meters

Tonnage

34,500 gross, 10,300 net, 6,160 deadweight

4 x MAN B & W 8L48/60B diesels

Power

9600 kW

Speed

25 knots

Capacity

1000 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles

Call sign

MJTL2

MMSI Number

235028825

IMO Number

9293076

Registry

United Kingdom 

Sister Vessels

Delft Seaways, Dover Seaways

History

May 12th 2003: SAMSUNG 1523

December 29th 2004: Launched.

January 11th 2005: MAERSK DUNKERQUE.

September 27th 2005: Delivered from the Samsung Shipyard to Norfolkline Shipping B.V.

October 15th 2005: Passed through the Suez Canal.

October 22nd 2005: Inaugural arrival in Dover.

Maiden arrival at Dover 22/10/05. © Ray Goodfellow

October 24th 2005: Left Dover for Dunkerque.

October 24th 2005: First arrival at Dunkerque (trials?).

October 28th 2005: Officially named at Dunkerque. Mrs. Anja Visbeen, accompanied by her husband, Adrie Visbeen, Director and owner of Visbeen Transport Group, honoured Norfolkline by naming the new building MAERSK DUNKERQUE.

November 2005: Deployed on Dover-Dunkerque service. The second and third vessels, MAERSK DELFT and MAERSK DOVER are due to commence service in January and July 2006 respectively.

January 12th 2006: “My informant at Dover tells me that the Maersk Dunkerque is broken
down and is lying on the Eastern Arm this morning. Her 1000 sailing was cancelled. An oil leak is given as the cause.”

February 18th 2006: “…had engine problems at 2200 last night four miles off Dover. The Emergency Coastguard Tug ANGLIAN MONARCH stood by until the ship had sorted its problems out.”

February 20th 2006: Again suffered engine problems consequently a proposed “sail by” (rumour) of the newly arrived MAERSK DELFT at Dover, was cancelled. Spent the day in berth 2 at Dover.

ARNO Dunkerque 1/3/06. © Robert Fournier

February 27th 2006: To ARNO's Dunkerque for her first routine annual hull inspection and repairs to the oil leak. The local (Dover) engineering firm Burgess undertook the work for Norfolk Line to repair the vessel.

March 4th 2006: Left Dunkerque East, seen heading north.

March 4th 2006: (1130) Arrived in Zeebrugge (berth 110 for berthing trials)

March 4th 2006: (1630) Departed for Dunkerque West

March 5th 2006: Resumed commercial sailings.

March 8th 2006: Sailed to Botlek, Rotterdam (reason unknown). It is said she has a cracked “sea chest.”

March 11th 2006: “She was supposed to leave Friday but there are still some problems. Due to leave tonight around 02.30.The Pilot is already ordered.”

© Nigel Thornton

March 12th 2006: Resumed commercial service.

July 25th 2006: Berthed at Cruise terminal 2 for maintenance.

© Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic)

July 28th 2006: All 3 sisters running from 1200 today.

4th September 2006: Maersk Dunkerque suffering from engine problems required the assistance of DHB Doughty.

© Ray Goodfellow

24th December 2006: Proceeded to the Scheldeport Dockyard, Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands for a scheduled dry docking.

 8th January 2007: Departed the Scheldeport Dockyard at 16:00 local time bound for Dunkerque.

Maersk Dunkerque pictured in and departing the Scheldeport Dockyard, Vlissingen, Holland. © Co de Vos

11th January 2007: Resumed service from Dover to Dunkerque.

© Nigel Thornton

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions found. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Robert Fournier, Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic), Ed Connell (Ships in the Port of Dover), Co de Vos and Paul van Luik (www.shipsoffterneuzen.nl) for there assistance in compiling this feature.