Doug Wright

It was off to a flying start this year for the export log trade.

Seventy-six years ago today, the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, renamed the Port Line Ltd on November 11, 1937, took delivery of the motor ship Port Chalmers from the Newcastle yard of Swan, Hunter & Wigham, Richardson Ltd.

Over the years the profile and size of vessels visiting Ravensbourne have changed from more modest-sized conventional vessels having their machinery and accommodation located amidships, to considerably larger bulk carriers of the all-aft design.

The Singapore-flag tanker Challenge Premier, owned by NYK Bulkships (Asia) Pte Ltd, of Singapore, was back on its second visit last Friday.

After a 15-day visit, the Federal Steam Navigation Company's 10,984gt Durham sailed on January 8, 1965, on its final visit to Port Chalmers.

The cruise ship season opens tomorrow with the arrival of Princess Cruises' Bermuda-registered Star Princess, a former local record holder. Port Otago's cruise ship schedule to April 5, 2010, lists 46 visits by 16 vessels to Port Chalmers and seven by four smaller ships to Dunedin.

Several months ago, I mentioned the links over the years between this harbour and vessels mostly engaged in the British liner trades that have been named after Auckland.

Sixteen days ago, the log ship Zeus I arrived from Noumea and sailed the following day for Wellington to load more logs.

The arrival of the new inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Hawea perpetuates the name of a Lake class frigate that made several local visits up to December 1956.