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Maiden Calls

OOCL Nagoya (2009/40,168 grt) visted the port of Southampton 6-7 February. The 4,578 TEU Panamax class vessel is the first of five newly introduced container ships scheduled to call in as many weeks. Also due are the 8,063 TEU SX class ships OOCL Washington and OOCL Seoul (both 2010/89,097 grt) and the Hapag-Lloyd vessels Vienna Express (2010/93,750 grt) and Seattle Express (2009/91,203 grt). Another first time visitor is the cruise ships MSC Magnifica which will berth at the City Cruise Terminal from 26 -28 February.

That's a relief

RFA Largs Bay pictured sailing from Marchwood military port (Sea Mounting Centre) near Southampton on 3 February. The auxiliary landing ship is loaded with shelter equipment and heavy lifting machinery amongst other items essential for the relief operation in Haiti. The ship will spend around three weeks on station supporting the UN relief effort on behalf of the UK Department for International Development and British and international Non-Governmental Organisations funded from the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

Come in Number 2...

The second of six Type 45 destroyers being built for the Royal Navy has arrived at her new homeport for the first time. HMS Dauntless pulled into Portsmouth on 2 December ahead of her official handover the following day. After early delays the T45 project is on schedule for completion by the end of 2013, with all but one of the class now afloat. All six will be based at Portsmouth and maintained under a recently agreed £309 million seven year support contract.

Champagne Supernova

The unfeasibly large Oasis of the Seas made a brief stop in the Solent on 2 November to disembark shipyard workers prior to her Atlantic delivery voyage. The 225,282 grt Royal Caribbean vessel is comfortably the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built. Some of her unique features include an aquatic amphitheatre that serves as a pool by day and an outdoor theatre by night. The ship will also feature seven 'themed neighbourhoods' - very American! Oasis of the Seas will be offically named at Fort Lauderdale on 30 November.