Maersk Line's largest ship in their fleet makes her maiden call to Felixstowe. The 400 metre 20568TEU Madrid Maersk is an upgraded version of the Triple E. The bridge has been moved 2 bays forward while the funnels have been move one bay further aft. Madrid is the first to be built in South Korea. When her sister ships are built she will have a 10 sister ships due to be complete by the end of 2018.
A typical British summers day, lovely sun but a breezy , Think again! Gale force winds 8 to 9 accompanied with heavy rain. And on a special day for the Port of Felixstowe!!
Madrid Maersk Set sail on her maiden voyage late April heading west picking up goodies on the way. The last port of call in the Far East was Tanjong Pelepas in Malaysia where she was well loaded with a maximum draft of 16.3 metres. Her first call in Europe was meant to be Algeciras but with a dockers dispute and strikes she was diverted to Tangier Med, Morocco where they discharge 3.3 metres. While in the Western Med she got bunkers increasing her draft by 90cm (3ft) to 13.9 metres.
The weather was playing a huge part in the arrival of this marvellous ship. During the morning the wind was strong and cargo operations ceased and the increasing wind was accompanied with heavy rain. While the rain fell, winds picked up to 47 knots which is around 55 mph. The 2 pilots which were going to bring in the Madrid made a decision to postpone the arrival due to the wind and assess the situation at later in the day around 17:00. At one stage during the afternoon the Sunk Pilot Station was temporarily suspended due to the heavy seas and strong wind.
The time passed and the pilot agreed that a dip in the wind around 1900 would be just enough to bring her in.
The pilot launch St Cuthbert left Harwich with the 2 pilots to board the Madrid, battling the choppy seas as she goes out to the Sunk.
Once onboard the Pilots radioed Harwich VTS and confirmed that they were inbound with a draft of 13.9 metres for Felixstowe berth 8 and defiantly wanted the 4 tugs for berthing and the initial plan was to swing to go portside to Berth 8 but if the wind increased too much she would go starboard side to Berth 8. He also confirmed wanted the 2 big tugs (3212's) on the centre leads fore and aft with the smaller tugs (2411's) on the quarter and shoulder.
As the Madrid made her way inwards towards the South Shipwash the fist tug the Svitzer Kent left the tug pontoon and battled her way ot to meet before 7&8 Buoys to make fast centre lead aft. A few minutes later the Svitzer Shotley headed out to position on the starboard quarter for a push in-direct around the 90deg Beach End into the Harbour. The wind Increasing to 35 knots, the pilot Ian confirmed that they will go starboard side to Berth 8 so the 2 smaller tugs were to be made fast on the port side. Approaching the harbour the Svitzer Sky and Svitzer Deben leaves the tug pontoon to meet the Madrid. With the Beach End closing in the Kent goes out on the port side for a powered in-direct while the Shotley pushes up on the starboard quarter at a 45% angle to help her around the corner.
The plan was to make fast the Deben centre lead forward then make fast the Sky on the port shoulder while the crew up the stern made fast the Shotley which had come away from the starboard quarter to make fast port quarter.
Safely around the Beach End the Kent immediately goes in to a check position on the port side at 75% to stop the wind taking the stern. The Madrid at her size was acting like one huge sail so once all 4 tugs were fast the got in check positions and slowly edged her towards the berth. The wind still increasing to gusts of 40 knots the tugs were working had to make the arrival as safe as possible. Edging closer, the 2 stern tugs were on 75% while the bow tugs were on 50%. Just off the berth Madrid stern caught the wind and the pilot got the Kent and Shotley to check full to straighten her up. The pilot used the wind to take her in but using the tugs as a brake aswell. Alongside the first of the spring lines were being made fast.
Without the exceptional team work between the pilots, tugs, berthing master and Harwich VTS the Madrid Maersk would not have had been able to berth at Felixstowe.
Final tie up 6 and 2 each end with spring line first.
ETD estimated 1600 Thursday 8th June but could change due to the wind.
Madrid Maersk
IMO 9778791
built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Maritime Engineering Co. Okpo, South Korea
Hull number: 4302
Flag: Denmark
Home port: Cøbenhavn
LoA 399 metres
Beam 58.6m
Capacity 20568TEU
Net tonnage: 78834t
Deadweight tonnage: 214286t
Maximum draft: 16.5 metres
Engines:
Main engines:
x2 MAN-B&W 7G80ME-C9.5 each rated at 46620 kW
Other engines:
x2 8 cil each rated at 3800kW
Turbo generator rated at 4600kW
Shaft Alternator rated at 4000kW
Daeno C
The vessel had been anchored offshore for several hours awaiting a weather front to clear, & when the windspeeds had dropped to 30 mph, the decision was made to commence the approach and berth.
Unfortunately the windspeed inceased and varied around 45 mph & once committed in the channel, it was decided to continue.
Due to very strong SW wind onto the berth, 4 tugs were required to hold her steady. 
;-)
Biggest container ship yet – Madrid Maersk – arrives at Felixstowe
PUBLISHED: 12:13 07 June 2017 | UPDATED: 12:14 07 June 2017
Container ships keep on getting bigger and bigger – and the largest yet to sail the high seas in north Europe has berthed at Felixstowe.
Madrid Maersk in Harwich Harbour after rounding Landguard Point. Picture: STEPHEN WALLER
The Madrid Maersk, currently on its maiden voyage, arrived late last night and is the first vessel to carry more than 20,000 boxes to be seen in Harwich Harbour.
Port officials said the ship is now alongside Berths 8&9, the newest quay at Felixstowe, and will be offloading 6,000 containers of goods from China and Malaysia.
It is the latest in a long line of record breakers and weighs in at 214,286 tonnes, is 399 metres long, has a beam of 58.6m and can carry up to 20,568 standard-sized boxes.
The previous largest to visit Felixstowe was the Barzan, carrying 19,870 boxes, operated by UASC (United Arab Shipping Company).
A tug leads the Madrid Maersk to her berth. Picture: STEPHEN WALLER www.stephenwaller.com
The largest in the world is the OOCL Hong Kong, which can carry 21,413 containers.
Clemence Cheng, chief executive officer of the Port of Felixstowe and managing director of Hutchison Ports Europe, said: “The Port of Felixstowe is firmly established as the port of first-choice in the UK for the largest mega ships.
“We were the first in the UK to handle this latest class of vessel and continue to offer the widest and most frequent range of services on the major Asia-Europe trade.”
Built by South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the Madrid Maersk is the first of Maersk Line’s 2nd generation Triple-Es, known officially as the EEE Mark II. The original Triple-Es have been regular callers at Felixstowe since 2013. Delivery of the remaining 10 Triple-E Mark II’s is expected to take place between now and the middle of 2018.
Berths 8&9, the newest at the port, were prepared for her arrival. Picture: STEPHEN WALLER
Brian Godsafe, managing director UK & Ireland, Maersk Line, said: “With this maiden call of Madrid Maersk, we have yet another opportunity to celebrate our good cooperation with the Port of Felixstowe.
“As the latest addition to our modern fleet, this new vessel continues our commitment to serve our customers around the world in an even more efficient, environmentally-friendly and sustainable way.”
The Madrid Maersk is operated on the 2M NEU2 Asia to Europe service and arrived at Felixstowe from Algeciras.
The 2M service has called at Felixstowe since its inception in January 2015.
The sun sets as the Madrid Maersk prepares to berth on her maiden call at The Port of Felixstowe. Picture: STEPHEN WALLER
In addition to its core members, Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), capacity is also now offered on 2M sailings by Hamburg Sud and Hyundai Merchant Marine.
Do you have any photos of the Madrid Maersk at Felixstowe? Email them to newsroom@archant.co.uk to submit them via iWitness.
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