Vessel originally built in 1984 as general cargo ship for coast and inland (Rhine) traffic:

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=9933

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1357903

In 1998 converted to a cement carrier.

As per GermanLloyd Class the percentage of inspections having led to a detention in last 36 months where 16,67 %! (Source: GL). She was not the strongest ship for the North Sea.
Regards Peter

I wonder if a big sea knocked off that 'cement handling box' that all dedicated cement carriers seem to have, leaving a gaping hole?
Holedriller

This ship unfortunately sank while on passage to Runcorn,it was spotted by a ferry and only the bow section was visible,it is a tragic loss of life and it must have happened very quickly,as no mayday was sent,the RNLI and other rescue boats looked for signs of life or wreckage but nothing has been found,the vessel has now sunk,7 Polish and 1 Philopino were lost,the sinking was off the Pentland firth,"God bless them"Hope they did'nt suffer.