Large ship Visits

August 26th, 2015 by JCB
Posted in Articles, Technical and Training | No Comments »

Last year saw the introduction of more Ultra large container vessels which now regularly call at UK major ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton and London. These ULCVs present new challenges to UK pilots who have more than demonstrated competence in the safe docking of this size of ships. Using new techniques developed from trials researched at modern simulators and working groups, coupled with the many years of experience pilots have, these vessels are being piloted safely in and out
of our ports.

Felixstowe has been regularly handling ULCVs for a number of years and saw the first call of a Maersk EEE class, piloted by Ian Love and Richard Graham. Another contender for being the world’s largest ship into Felixstowe was the CSCL Globe, piloted by Mark Murrison, who gained fame by being interviewed by the BBC One Show about the pilotage of such a large vessel. Mark then piloted the next contender for the world’s largest ship the MSC Oscar which called at Felixstowe in March 2015.

The port of Southampton also handles ULCV calls, and the 16,000 TEU CMA CGM Marco Polo was featured in a documentary, in which two Southampton pilots demonstrated their competence and skill to a countrywide audience on television.
Press release articles by the Port
of Felixstowe:

CSCL Globe

 MSC Oscar