On the waterfront

Due yesterday, newcomer ACX Diamond, the vessel that has replaced Hakone in NYK's Japan-New Zealand service, only entered the water when it was launched a year ago tomorrow.

The name Portland Bay is associated with the largest visiting container ship, a vessel whose colourful career saw it make 43 calls here under four names.

Basel, situated on the River Rhine, is Switzerland's second largest city, the capital of the German-speaking canton Basel-Town, the country's largest railway junction and its only river port.

In recent weeks a number of older container ships are reported as having been sold for demolition.

MSC Krittika, here last week, and MSC Jemima, due next weekend, are newcomers whose careers have followed similar courses. They are employed on the Europe/Capricorn, Singapore hub service of the Mediterranean Shipping Company.

It is a scene that is not seen here very often, but last Saturday two record breakers, Millennium on its third visit and newcomer Albany Pioneer, were berthed opposite each other at Port Chalmers.

Orion, the first of this season's cruise ships to visit the upper harbour, made its initial appearance here yesterday.

Volendam, the second of the season's cruise ships, makes its first call here next Friday.

Many of us will remember with affection the conventional vessels operated by British companies involved in the New Zealand trade.

This week I take a look at two maiden callers, Challenge Premier and Cap Capricorn, and the sale of two former visitors, Maersk Barcelona and TNT Alltrans.