Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

MSC JOY approaches Greenock Ocean Terminal (Scotland, UK) with containers from Liverpool

4 November 2024 at 13:50 hours

Greenock (Scotland, UK)

Let's start with the weather.

   It was a grey and gloomy day with a blanket of light cloud covering the sky.  Occasionally, very occasionally, a weak and watery sun could be seen through a hole in the clouds.

   It was not cold, and also not warm, but if you were outdoors it would be prudent to wear a thick sweater or jacket or coat.

   A very light wind from the east south east caused a slight ripple on the water and visibility continually changed from heavy rain near Argyll to light rain and misty conditions off Greenock.

   The old year was coming to it's Autumnal end and the new year would soon arrive. 

But arriving today was the Mediterranean Shipping Company container ship MSC JOY carrying a cargo of containers from Liverpool (England, UK).

   She was scheduled to arrive at the east end of Greenock Ocean Terminal (= the container terminal) and had met the first of two tugs, SVITZER WARDEN, off Gourock, and the tug's line was attached through the aft centre lead of the container ship.

   But there was a problem.   The Netherlands cargo ship SLOTERGRACHT was occupying the berth which MSC JOY was to use.  SLOTERGRACHT should have left about 45 minutes earlier and her tug SVITZER MILFORD was attached and ready.

   Meanwhile MSC JOY and her tug loitered off Gourock, moving slowly towards the Ocean Terminal.

   And then SLOTERGRACHT was ready to leave, and tug SVITZER MILFORD pulled her astern off the berth and canted her at Number 1 buoy to face outwards, and the cargo ship let go the tug and started for La Pallice, in the Bay of Biscay, France.   Outbound SLOTERGRACHT can be seen passing the inbound MSC JOY.

   SVITZER MILFORD then turned her attention to the nearing MSC JOY off Greenock Esplanade and the two tugs quickly berthed the container ship at the Ocean Terminal. 

In a rain shower MSC JOY and the tug SVITZER WARDEN approach Greenock Ocean Terminal 

MSC JOY (on the left) and the outbound SLOTERGRACHT (on the right)

MSC JOY approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal