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Capes Shipping Agencies, a division of CV International, Handles “A Whale”, Largest Vessel to Ever Call the Port of Hampton Roads, Virginia
Capes Shipping Agencies was appointed port agent for the call at Norfolk of Motor Tanker “A WHALE”, which stopped in Norfolk on its way to assist in the Gulf clean-up effort as an oil skimmer.
This vessel was the largest vessel to ever call within the port limits of Hampton Roads. The vessel is 1,115 feet long with a 197 feet beam. It is over 200 feet high from waterline to top of mast. The vessel is a VLOO (Very Large Oil and Ore Carrier). It is 5 months old, built at Hyundai Shipyard in South Korea by owners TMT Corporation of Taipei Taiwan.
Very shortly after the BP Oil Spill incident, the ship owner sent the vessel from China to Portugal where it was quickly modified into the world’s largest oil skimmer. Six intake slits were cut into the front port and starboard sides of the vessel to skim oil. The vessel called at Norfolk to take on bunkers, fresh water, provisions and equipment while also acting as an imposing backdrop for a media event that was held ship-side to promote its use in the Gulf clean-up effort.
The equipment loaded at port included 2 crates of hose pipes that were air-freighted in through New York and trucked to Norfolk. Nathan Sutphin, CVI’s Norfolk import supervisor, provided assistance with the spare parts delivery and Customs entry, coordinating delivery to the vessel with Kevin Clapsaddle.
The experience has demonstrated the growing reputation and capability of Capes Shipping Agencies and it’s staff to fully and effectively respond to a complex vessel agency challenge. For more pictures, click here.