MSC Maria Saveria appears through the mist for Felixstowe Berth 7 / 1st call of Katherine to the Port of Felixstowe

366 metre ultra large MSC Maria Saveria sails with a draft of 14.5 metres from her last port of Gioia Tauro, Italy to the Port of Felixstowe. The pilot boards at the Sunk Pilot Station and makes their way towards the harbour, he orders 2 tugs for berthing first one centre lead aft and the second on the starboard shoulder. Svitzer Stanford heads out the harbour to be the first tug and make fast on the centre lead aft, a short while later the Svitzer Shotley heads out to be made fast on the starboard shoulder.

Because of her size the MSC Maria Saveria has to have a clear run around the 90deg Beach End turn into the harbour, DFDS' Britiania Seaways leaves her berth Ro-Ro 4 and passes the Maria Saveria on the North/South heading.

The pilot gets the Stanford to go 50% straight astern to slow her up ready for the port swing off the Shotley Spit. the Svitzer Shotley positions onto the starboard shoulder to push the bow around while the Svitzer Stanford comes out onto the starboard quarter and pulls the stern around. Once swung the pilot goes astern on the main engine and backs up towards Berth 7. The stern needed a little help to keep heading straight for the berth so the Stanford had 25% on their line to straighten her up to carefully position 3 bollards away from a boomed down crane and 3 bollards away from the Katherine which had berthed earlier in the morning.

Final tie up 4 and 2 each end with spring lines first.

Dean Cable



1st call of Katherine to the Port of Felixstowe 23rd March 2017
Ex Safmarine Highveld now named Katherine makes her 1st call to the Port of Felixstowe with a draft of 12.5 metres from her last port of call La Spezia, Italy. Svitzer Stanford heads out of the harbour to make fast aft before the Katherine rounds the 90deg Beach End into the harbour. 
With a length of 270 m and a breadth of 42.8 metres she can carry 6800 TEU
Her next port of call is Antwerp