Working Conditions Aboard the Atlantic-Star

On Friday, Atlantic Container Line (ACL) celebrated a significant milestone with the christening of its latest roll-on/roll-off (Con/Ro) vessel, the ATLANTIC STAR, at the Dundalk Marine Terminal located at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. The honor of serving as the vessel's godmother was bestowed upon Commissioner Rebecca Dye from the Federal Maritime Commission. The ATLANTIC STAR boasts its registration under the United Kingdom flag, paying homage to the legacy of its predecessor, which was part of the original ACL G1 fleet fifty years ago. As a key member of ACL's new G4 fleet, the ATLANTIC STAR joins four other vessels: ATLANTIC SAIL, ATLANTIC SEA, ATLANTIC SKY, and ATLANTIC SUN. This cutting-edge fleet is set to significantly enhance ACL's competitive edge in the North Atlantic shipping market. The investment in the G4s reflects the commitment of ACL's parent company, the Grimaldi Group, to ensure long-term growth and sustainability for its services and partners.

On February 19, 2017, the maritime vessel "Atlantic Star" incurred substantial radar damage following an incident involving a ship-to-shore gantry crane at the Royal Seaforth Dock in Liverpool, where the vessel had arrived a day earlier on February 18. The radar system has since been detached for repairs, which are projected to take an additional 7 to 10 days. Once completed, the "Atlantic Star" is scheduled to resume its journey to Halifax.

The Port of Antwerp is witnessing a significant rise in the number of eco-conscious vessels making calls to its facilities, underscoring a growing commitment to sustainable shipping practices. In 2012, there were 462 visits by environmentally friendly ships, which surged to 671 by 2015's first nine months alone. A standout addition to this green fleet is the Atlantic Star, a brand-new conro (container/ro-ro) carrier operated by the Grimaldi subsidiary, ACL. This innovative vessel made its inaugural entry into the Antwerp port at the end of December. As a conro ship, the Atlantic Star possesses the versatility to transport containers, vehicles, and other rolling stock. It represents a new generation of vessels designed to enhance efficiency and minimize ecological impact on trans-Atlantic routes connecting Hamburg, Gothenburg, Antwerp, and Liverpool with Halifax, New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk. The groundbreaking design of the Atlantic Star and its four sister ships in the G4 series provides an impressive 105% increase in container capacity, 31% more space for vehicles, and up to 45% more capacity for rolling stock, all while achieving an astounding 65% reduction in emissions per container compared to their predecessors. This launch not only marks a significant milestone for ACL but also for the broader maritime industry as it shifts towards more sustainable operations.