Author Topic: The oldest container ship still in service?  (Read 8938 times)

Offline chrisg46

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The oldest container ship still in service?
« on: July 26, 2018, 03:25:07 PM »
Was filming some shipping at Felixstowe viewpoint this morning, and caught the MSC Eyra - and discovered later that she's around 36 years old, first entering service as a Russian-registered vessel in 1982. I'm fairly gobsmacked because I'm surprised at her lifespan. We've certainly seen post-2000 container vessels scrapped, so what is the secret of her survival?

http://www.shippingtv.co.uk/?p=5388
Chris
I'm a working shipping journo, and run a website called ShippingTV . . .
http://www.shippingtv.co.uk

Offline smithy166

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2018, 05:07:18 PM »
Her secret is that she's likely built like a tank. Thick steel, and a strong hull. She was also re-engined in 1992, which likely helped.

Still, an old girl!
Enough torque to restart a dead planet! OOW with an unlimited CoC looking for work. :)

Offline Tilbury Keith

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2018, 05:14:45 PM »
 Sister ship KAPITAN KANEVSKIY now sailing also for MSc as MSC MALIN

 Russian ships  built to last

Offline Jon Godsell

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2018, 06:52:33 PM »
Currently berthed on L2, at Liverpool.

Offline lappino

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2018, 11:11:36 PM »
Soon I will visit the place where I hope to see container vessels compared to which this MSC oldie is just a spring chicken.

At 36 years of age, she is nowhere near the oldest container ships still sailing, courtesy of the Jones Act. :)
« Last Edit: July 27, 2018, 12:10:53 AM by lappino »

Offline Paul Finnigan

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2018, 11:27:59 PM »
Thanks Chris, I really enjoy watching your videos.Just out of curiosity what camera did you use  for this video?

Offline Kyle Stubbs

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2018, 01:23:11 AM »
Vlad is right on the money.

Here on Puget Sound, we've got a 38 year-old due in for a scheduled visit on Saturday, and 44 and 45 year-olds laid-up in operating condition.
"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." -Mark Twain

Offline chrisg46

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2018, 05:54:52 AM »
Thank for the information and interest! Phil, I use a Panasonic HC-V770 video camera, with a 50x zoom - a very useful camcorder, which I use for several kinds of content.

Have to hope that Kyle and Lappino will put up some pics!
Chris
I'm a working shipping journo, and run a website called ShippingTV . . .
http://www.shippingtv.co.uk

Offline Paul Finnigan

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2018, 06:23:19 AM »
The HC- V770 is a nice camera Chris,It was one of the cameras I looked at to replace my Sony PJ-280.
I ended up getting the Sony AX-33 solely because of its 4K capability and it
« Last Edit: July 27, 2018, 06:26:35 AM by Paul Finnigan »

Offline Brett Moore

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2018, 02:10:51 PM »
Her secret is that she's likely built like a tank. Thick steel, and a strong hull. She was also re-engined in 1992, which likely helped.

Still, an old girl!

MSC know how to maintain 2nd hand tonnage from way back .......

Offline chrisg46

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2018, 06:12:04 PM »
Phil, I've also got a Sony PJ810 which has a very good optical stabiliser - I use it for hand-held and walking stuff - ideal for exhibitions. Although both cams are only HD, not 4K, I still sell some content in odd corners of the satellite broadcast industry.
Chris
I'm a working shipping journo, and run a website called ShippingTV . . .
http://www.shippingtv.co.uk

Offline davidships

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2018, 08:22:35 PM »
Of these ex-Soviet ships, the third sister MSC IRIS ex-KAPITAN GAVRILOV is the oldest, completed 6/1982 - all three lengthened in 1989.  The 1992 re-engining (why was it, I wonder?) probably nothing to do with the longevity so far, as the two sisters are apparently still running with their original installations.

As expected - and taking container vessels over 10,000gt only - all eleven that are older than MSC IRIS are indeed US-flag vessels, headed by LIHUE, built 7/1971.

Offline LarryS

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Re: The oldest container ship still in service?
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2018, 06:08:15 PM »
Lovely old girl!
If you row away from your boat and think 'that is beautiful' then you have a classic.

 

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