Image Source: ShipSpotting.
Rotterdam, with its associated quays, docks and harbours, is probably the busiest port in the world. This selection of photos by Netherlands-based J.M. Kakebeeke shows some of the many ships calling at the major European port a few years ago.
The 2012-built ro-ro cargo vessel Wilhelmine (21,020gt) inbound for Rotterdam on 27 March 2013. She was sailing on the Teesport-Rotterdam route, but now operates out of Tilbury.
The 2009-built container feeder vessel BG Rotterdam (8,273gt) seen upstream on the New Waterway, under way to Rotterdam on 3 May 2013.
The 1984-built supply vessel Energy Lord (1,823gt) heading down the New Waterway and out to sea on 15 October 2013 for offshore work. She has since been renamed Valiant Energy and is currently laid up in Alexandroupoli in the Aegean.
The 2013-built tanker Lotus (83,724gt) upstream on the New Waterway, heading for Rotterdam on 9 July 2013. Owned and managed by Germany’s Nord Klaus Oldendorff the 105,543dwt aframax tanker was built as Nordlotus and sails under the flag of Cyprus.
The 2013-built Panama-flagged container ship MSC Abidjan (95,390gt) coming in to Rotterdam on 15 July 2013. Completed by South Korea’s Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co in 2013, the 8,800TEU vessel is owned and managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime.
The small 2011-built feeder vessel Samskip Endeavour (7,852gt) heading to Rotterdam on 26 July 2012. The 803TEU vessel was operating between the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
