I took the Ship over at the Emirates after she had been sold during her time as Floating Storage in Iran. (She was Named Venturia) at that time Due to the Charters not releasing her and the Iran Iraq war The only valid Certificate she had was the DERAT Cert. Class and Flag state would not attend in Iran. We Dry Docked at the Mitsubishi Dry Dock in Singapore ( She was renamed Daqing ) I rejoined as C/E off West Africa and Paid off again in Suez. 1985

I spent New Years 1978 on this vessel with my father who was master. DW Luff. Very odd being on such a huge ship with skeleton crew, I think dad was on her for some time.

Nice to see your pictures of this giant and her sister.

Both were built for Israeli operator Maritime Fruit Carriers, mainly a reefer operator it jumped on the VLCC/ULCC bandwagon in the late 1970s - with disastrous effects. They ordered 6 ULCCs at Harland and Wolff (only two were delivered), 11 at Swan Hunter and 2 at Scott Lithgow. MFC went bankrupt and could not take delivery of the vessels. More details HERE.

The two ULCCs from H&W were laid up for a few years until they became engaged in transporting Iran during the Iran/Iraq war.

More info and pictures HERE (with links for more pictures at the bottom).

Best regards
Mats
Oslo