A modern bulk carrier of Polish Steamship Company sets off on its maiden voyage. It is m/v Polsteam Okra
At the Shanhaiguan Shipyard in Qinhuangdao (Hebei Province), a ceremonial handover of the newest vessel belonging to the Polish Steamship Company (P.P.) group took place. The modern ship, m/v "Polsteam Okra," is a laker-max with a deadweight capacity of 37,000 tons, designed specifically for navigation on the Great Lakes of North America.
In brief
Polska Żegluga Morska took delivery of the bulk carrier m/s Polsteam Okra at a ceremony at the Shanhaiguan shipyard in Qinhungdao in Hebei province. The laker-max vessel with a deadweight of 37,000 tonnes was built for trading on the North American Great Lakes, and Mirosława Ruchniak became her sponsor. The maiden voyage runs from the Chinese ports of Changshu and Caofedian through the Panama Canal on 13 March to Cleveland and Milwaukee on 5 April, under the command of master mariner Krzysztof Dziurdzikowski. M/s Polsteam Okra is the fifth of twelve lakers ordered.
The christening and maiden voyage of m/v Polsteam Okra
A traditional christening ceremony was held during the handover event, with Mirosława Ruchniak, a long-time employee of the Polish Steamship Company (P.P.), serving as the ship's godmother. She marked the moment by ceremonially breaking a bottle of champagne against the vessel's hull.
Maiden voyage route of m/v Polsteam Okra
The newly christened bulk carrier will embark on its maiden voyage, loading steel in the Chinese ports of Changshu and Caofeidian. From there, it will sail across the Pacific Ocean, reaching the Panama Canal on March 13.
The next leg of the journey will take the vessel to the Great Lakes ports of the United States: Cleveland and Milwaukee, where it is scheduled to dock on April 5, just in time to welcome spring.
A symbol of modernity and tradition
Captain Krzysztof Dziurdzikowski will command m/v Polsteam Okra during its maiden voyage. The vessel represents state-of-the-art technological advancements in maritime transport while continuing the long-standing traditions of the Polish Steamship Company.
The addition of m/v Polsteam Okra strengthens P.P.’s position in the international maritime transportation market, highlighting Poland’s presence in key global ports.
- We wish the entire crew and the captain fair winds and a fathom under the keel! - P.P. representatives shared in their statement, and we echo these well-wishes.
Part of a growing fleet
Flying under the flag of Portugal (Madeira), m/v Polsteam Okra is the fifth in a series of twelve laker-max vessels ordered from the Chinese Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC). Its predecessors include Polsteam Dąbie, Polsteam Koprowo, Polsteam Łebsko, and Polsteam Pile.
This modern addition demonstrates the Polish Steamship Company's dedication to enhancing its fleet and maintaining its competitive edge in global maritime logistics.
Source: PŻM / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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