During the 1960's and '70's a ship from Nippon Kokan was considered a guarantee of quality, although that was true of most Japanese shipyards, and Jebsen had its 'Birknes' class built by them. Bellnes was the fourth of the class and was delivered in 1975, 35,685 dwt, 6 hatches, 5 x 16 ton cranes and powered by a Sulzer 7RHD76 diesel developing 14,000 bhp to give 15.5 knots. Seven of the class were built and I believe all but two are still in service. Bellnes was renamed Manila Hope in 1984 and is curreently trading under the Turkish flag as Osman Mete. |