Strandja

[hausen]

Acutally they have four newbuilds this year, four more between January and September 2011, replacement hulls, I would think.

Word was that Eastwind originally had eight Huron type bulkers on order at Shanhaiguan. Was wondering what happened to the other four. Thanks for the info., looks like Navibulgar picked them up too. More at this link, including their planned names: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n233425

Navibulgar will join Fednav, Canfornav, and Polsteam in the ownership of a sizeable fleet of relatively new, large-capacity Lakes-capable vessels. Good news for the prospect of continued international shipping on the Lakes. Two other German operations are joining the fray as well with ships very similar if not identical to Polsteam's Miedwie -class. Intersee Schiffahrts has put four of them into service this year: Hermann Schoening, Jan S, Fritz, and Luebbert. Reedereigruppe Freese has built two this year: the Three Rivers and the Pacific Huron (ex - Seven Islands). Three Rivers is due in Sorel this weekend - no idea whether she'll be coming up the Seaway.

The next new Polsteam ship to enter service, Drawsko, is also due on the Lakes later this month.

[kent malo]

Acutally they have four newbuilds this year, four more between January and September 2011, replacement hulls, I would think.

[hausen]

Vitosha actually replaces another vessel of the same name built in 1977 and broken up in 2009.

The name Strandja comes from Navigation Maritime Bulgare history too - the previous Strandja was a small 1965-vintage general cargo ship which was also reported broken up 2009.

[Guest]

Vitosha actually replaces another vessel of the same name built in 1977 and broken up in 2009.

[hausen]

She is a newbuild this year, placed in service recently by Navigation Maritime Bulgare.

Exactly. She is one of at least four "Huron" - type bulkers (like Canfornav's Andean, Brant, Chestnut, Maccoa, Torrent, etc.) originally ordered by Eastwind Maritime for 2009 - 2010 delivery at the Shanhaiguan yard in China. Eastwind went under in 2009 and those newbuilds were divvied up between two different owners before the ships were completed.

The vessel in question was originally going to be named Eastwind York, went to Fednav when Eastwind folded and was to become Federal Yangtze, and finally took the name Strandja when Fednav turned around and sold her and one of her sisters to Navigation Maritime Bulgare. Fairly certain she did not make her maiden voyage until after her resale to Navibulgar.

The other vessel sold by Fednav to Navibulgar started out as Eastwind Yates and was completed as Federal Pearl. She made at least one trip on the Pacific Ocean under that name, loading grain at a Columbia River port for delivery to the Far East. After the resale she became Vitosha. Not sure whether she'll make it to the Lakes this year - she was due at Rosario, Argentina in late October, coming from the Indian Ocean.

One of the other new Huron-type bulkers originally intended for Eastwind has already visited Lakes: Heloise made a transit in late Sept. / early Oct., unloading sand at Port Weller and loading wheat at Duluth for Italy.

[William Lafferty]

She is a newbuild this year, placed in service recently by Navigation Maritime Bulgare.

[Northup]

The Strandja is going arrive in Montreal in a couple of days. I can't find a picture of this ship, is this ship new?
Thanks in advance!