Atlantic RoRo

1. Atlantic Action sails today.

2. Viljandi on September 27, her second to last visit.

Atlantic RoRo Carriers has been making more regular calls here this fall, probably for reefer cargo - it is the height of the fish and produce season.

As posted on September 27, the line runs from St.Petersburg, Russia to Baltimore and New Orleans, and will call in Halifax "on inducement" - i.e. if there is cargo for or from here.

Today's caller is more typical of the multi-purpose ships on the ARRC service. Atlantic Action is an Astrakhan Mark III type Lo/Ro ship built in 1993 at the Kvaerner Warnow Werft yard at Warnemunde (then East) Germany. It is a vessel of 16,075 gross tons with a stern ramp and significant RoRo capability, and can carry 729 TEU (30 reefer) and has five cranes at 12 tonnes each, four of which can be combined for heavy lifts. The ship can also carry general cargo and bulk cargoes.

Built as Victor Konchayev it was renamed in 1996: Gemini Star, 97: Bremer Carrier, 98: Nordana Kisumi, 99: Seaboard Chile, 01: Atlantic Cavalier and took its present name in 2003. It is currently owned in the Ukraine and flies the flag of Cyprus.

Tuesday November 9 was too miserable a day to photograph fleet mate Viljandi, so a September 27 photo will have to do for now as the last photos taken in Halifax of this ship. Following its call in Baltimore a few days later, the ship was on its way to the scrap yards in India. The ship was sold in October and fetched $470/LDT, quite a high price, realizing some $2.8 mn for her owners. (See September 27 posting for more on this ship)

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Atlantic RoRo Carriers

1. Viljandi approaches the Halterm container terminal with the tug Atlantic Willow coming alongside.

One of the shipping lines that calls in Halifax from time to time is Atlantic RoRo Carriers. They operate a service between St.Petersburg, Russia and Baltimore. The line also calls in Halifax, New Orleans and Houston if there is cargo.

There are several ships in the fleet, but the classic is Viljandi, one of the last bow loading RoRo ships still trading on the North Atlantic.

Built back in 1978 it carries a modest 242 TEU but can carry up to 125 x 40 foot trailers or 493 cars. There were several of these ships operating for the USSR, out of Estonia, which used to carry the infamous Lada automobiles.

Viljandi arrived early this morning and was due to sail again before noon.

See www.cisnav.com/ for specs of the ship and a profile drawing showing the bow visor open.