Just a small selection of news highlights that we covered on Westward Shipping News in 2023. That started with the launch of our Look Back Gallery pictures across our social media platforms and website.
The Schippersgracht, is a massive multi-purpose Dutch cargo vessel with its huge 3 cranes dominated the West Hoe skyline in January 2023. Its precious cargo of a flotilla of luxury yachts could be seen on its decks, and was passing through Plymouth after suffering a defect, a quick fix and away again.
The 21,402 ton vessel is one of ten vessels that work across the globe, and designed to carry a wide range of cargo holds. The Schippersgracht is equipped with three cranes, one positioned forward on the starboard side, while the other two mounted latterly on the port side, with a service speed of 19.5 knots.
IN an exclusive interview with Westward Shipping News in February 2023, Devon businessman and owner of Drake’s Island Morgan Phillips talks about the Jewel in Plymouth’s tourist crown Drake’s Island.
Special feature by Westward Shipping News on Sir Chris Marrow, a retired seafarer, maritime expert, and conferred Knight of the Order of the Leopard of the Bakwa Luntu of Kasai of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by Queen Diambi Kabatusuila in Exeter.
Sir Chris has now fulfilled his latest ambition in writing a memoir of his adventures on the world’s waterways entitled ‘The Cornish Viking’.
THE British government announced £34 million in cash to support new technologies and innovative ideas – as part of the ‘Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC). The substantial investment aims to increase the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon maritime sector while still promoting UK economic growth, say maritime experts.
The CMDC programme has now reached £129 million with this latest round of funding, and the UK’s strong commitment to achieving net zero goals.
The general cargo vessel was launched in May of this year by the Misje Rederi AS management team – based in Bergen, and the capital of the Norwegian shipping industry. The vessel is the second eco-friendly ship with the Misje Rederi.
Award-winning community campaigner Kevin Kelway, BCAc, set up the Tinside Action Group, and launched the campaign to save the derelict Tinside Lido from potential plans in demolishing the Plymouth Hoe landmark. After a ferocious 5 year community battle that seen the TAG raise 75,000 signatures that was handed into the late Queen in 1998, applying for the Art Deco Pool to be Grade 2 listed by the Government, and where it was finally restored in 2003, by Plymouth City Council after a £3.4 million investment.
Tim, 32 years of age, took up the challenge to raise funds for the Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) charity, and raised over £2,500.
His swim across the English Channel covered a whopping 31 miles and says ‘it is one of the biggest endeavours I’ve ever undertaken and watched by nearly 25,000 people across the UK and globe.
Westward Shipping News covered the news item in Sept 2023
Associated British Ports (APB) are the owners and operators of Millbay Docks that covers over 50 acres of port estate, and is home to Brittany Ferries that celebrated earlier this year 50 years of the first ferry services between Plymouth and France on January 2, 1973.
