Working Conditions Aboard the Norfolk-Express

On January 23, 2015, the container ship 'Thalassa Hellas' experienced an incident while attempting to moor in Piraeus around midday. The vessel struck a pier, resulting in a breach measuring 3x2 meters on its port side amidships, located above the waterline. Fortunately, there were no reports of any leaks following the accident. The ship, which had arrived from Malaysia, is scheduled for an inspection and likely repairs in the wake of this allision, attributed to human error. This incident highlights the importance of navigation safety in busy ports.

Evergreen Line has officially established its presence in the realm of Ultra Large Container Ship (ULCS) operations with a remarkable first call at the ECT Delta Terminal in Rotterdam. The maiden visit saw the vessel Thalassa Hellas handling an impressive 6,750 moves, equating to 11,500 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), achieving a new record for ECT, as reported in a recent press release. The Thalassa Hellas docked at Evergreen's dedicated facility, conveniently located on the southern side of the ECT Delta Terminal, just an hour's journey from the port entrance. This was made possible by the recent expansion of the harbor basin, enhancing accessibility for ULCS vessels around the clock. The significant volume handled during this inaugural visit underscores Evergreen Line's strong commitment to Rotterdam, designating it as their primary hub in North West Europe. Wando Boevé, Chief Commercial Officer of ECT, expressed pride in the long-standing partnership with Evergreen while highlighting the new milestone. He remarked, "We highly value our long-lasting relationship with Evergreen and are proud of this new record. ECT is continuously investing in its capabilities to offer our customers all the facilities necessary to handle their vessels, regardless of size. Our service, however, does not stop at the waterside; we also provide unparalleled options for reliable and sustainable hinterland transport." The Thalassa Hellas operates within Evergreen's Far East Europe Service (CEM Service), which connects key ports including Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Suez Canal, Rotterdam, Felixstowe, Hamburg, Zeebrugge, and back to Qingdao.

The Lemos Group of Greece, alongside its ship management affiliate Enesel S.A., proudly announced the delivery of the THALASSA HELLAS, a remarkable container vessel boasting a capacity of 13,806 TEU. Built at the prestigious Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, this vessel signifies a pivotal moment for Evergreen Marine as it marks their inaugural venture into the realm of ultra-large container ships (ULCS). Furthermore, this milestone also represents a significant shift for Lemos Group, which has primarily concentrated on the dry bulk and tanker sectors until now. The addition of THALASSA HELLAS not only expands Evergreen’s fleet but also diversifies Lemos' operational portfolio within the maritime industry.