Even greater hopes, than on CON-RO's in North Atlantic, were pinned on four RO-RO's ordered by Polish Ocean Lines for Australian
route, in Astilleros Espanoles, Puerto Real. The investment, itself risky enough, got even more expensive, as the state owner was
obligated to buy the ships in Spain, as a part of intergovernmental agreements. The ships joined the fleet in time of political storms
in Poland and tough competition on the Australian route (low fares). Being technically good ships, they transported a lot of cargo,
but kept generating financial losses. As there was no perspective for better business, all four vessels were finally sold in year 1989.
The ships had 2850m lane, and were designed to carry: 87 TEU on tank top, 259 TEU on Deck II, 354 TEU on Deck III and 500 TEU
on open Deck IV - altogether 1200 TEU (including 150 reefers); up to 113 cars; up to 1044 cbm non-toxic liquids in cargo tanks.
The 12 m wide Jumbo ramp was designed to carry ca. 400 t (4 loaded and 4 empty fork lifts or: 2 loaded and 2 empty mafi trailers).
Internal rams were fixed. Automatic heeling system was activated at list of 0,5 degree, limiting cargo operation heel to 3 degrees.
The main engine, low - speed 7-cyl. AESA - Sulzer of type 7RND90M (23450 hp) provided speed of ca. 18,5 - 19,1 kn (20,3 kn trial).
"Katowice II" supposed to be first, but her delivery was postponed by accommodation fire. So the ships became the "Poznań" class.
C30 KATOWICE II, IMO 7931753, 1982;
http://www.shipspotting.com/ships/ship.php?imo=7931753
C31 POZNAŃ, IMO 7931765, 1982;
http://www.shipspotting.com/ships/ship.php?imo=7931765
C32 GDAŃSK II, IMO 7931777, 1983;
http://www.shipspotting.com/ships/ship.php?imo=7931777
C33 WROCŁAW, IMO 7931789, 1983;
http://www.shipspotting.com/ships/ship.php?imo=7931789
After they were sold in year 1989, the Australian Line again had to deploy good, old B-340 and B-467 semicontainer ships:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=129391
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=66042 |
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