Mr H
Active Member
My car was on GLOVIS COSMOS, might order another so i can go back to ship watching...
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2020 Shipping Movements
- Thread starter Mr Miserable
- Start date
GRAND VENUS has arrived at the Panama Canal.
It has anchored waiting for her transit slot and canal pilot.
It has anchored waiting for her transit slot and canal pilot.
See my post #3593 above for the rough timings.
It's a hot sweaty night in Panama with a temperature of 25C and humidity of 95%!
It will be 29C and raining when she transits Gatun locks later
raphabarreiros
Member
It’s really interesting to understand how it works at the canal with the explanations by Mr Miserable and seeing the webcams. Thanks a lot for all the info and your contribution, Mr M!
The ship is pulled through each set of locks by lines attached to 6 loco engines (mules). The skill and experience of the mule drivers coordinating with the canal pilot onboard is amazing to watch. Like many skilled jobs they make it look easy.
The GRAND VENUS is released from the Pedro Miguel locks and is free to make her way into the man-made Gatun Lake.
It's still an hour before sunrise and the low stratus clouds make an erie picture.
When the GRAND VENUS departs the Panama Canal it has a choice of route to enter the Atlantic.
The ‘standard’ route will be via the Windward Passage and then via the Caicos Passage (the left arrow). It can be a busy route and the bridge team will need to be very alert with multiple course changes and conflicting traffic.
The alternative is via the Mona Passage which is to the west of Puerto Rico. This route has its own challenges of frequent rough seas in the passage and the complication of an Emission Control Area surrounding Puerto Rico. The ECA introduces rules on emissions, sewage, rubbish disposal etc all of which add a complication that encourages many ships to avoid. One reason why a vessel may elect for the Mona Passage is weather.
The hurricane season starts in June each year and the Caribbean and eastern seaboard of the US can be areas affected by the severe weather conditions associated with them. Looking at the current weather it looks as though GRAND VENUS will have a clear passage through the Caribbean and the Atlantic also looks relatively quiet.
Accordingly, I expect the GRAND VENUS to elect for the Windward Passage route.
Sadly land based AIS coverage of the Caribbean and these passages in particular can be unreliable or momentary, however we should be able to determine which passage the ship is heading to from its course on leaving the canal.
The ‘standard’ route will be via the Windward Passage and then via the Caicos Passage (the left arrow). It can be a busy route and the bridge team will need to be very alert with multiple course changes and conflicting traffic.
The alternative is via the Mona Passage which is to the west of Puerto Rico. This route has its own challenges of frequent rough seas in the passage and the complication of an Emission Control Area surrounding Puerto Rico. The ECA introduces rules on emissions, sewage, rubbish disposal etc all of which add a complication that encourages many ships to avoid. One reason why a vessel may elect for the Mona Passage is weather.
The hurricane season starts in June each year and the Caribbean and eastern seaboard of the US can be areas affected by the severe weather conditions associated with them. Looking at the current weather it looks as though GRAND VENUS will have a clear passage through the Caribbean and the Atlantic also looks relatively quiet.
Accordingly, I expect the GRAND VENUS to elect for the Windward Passage route.
Sadly land based AIS coverage of the Caribbean and these passages in particular can be unreliable or momentary, however we should be able to determine which passage the ship is heading to from its course on leaving the canal.
GRAND VENUS now approaching the Gatun locks. This has been a very smooth and quick transit so far.
Sadly the dislodged webcam has not been readjusted.
Sadly the dislodged webcam has not been readjusted.
Watching 4500 Teslas being lowered 85 feet.
Halfway through the Gatun locks with the Caribbean in sight.
Halfway through the Gatun locks with the Caribbean in sight.
GRAND VENUS departs the Panama Canal and passes beneath the newly constructed Atlantic Bridge.
Last edited:
GRAND VENUS ETA Zeebrugge 08:00 local 18 June.
A little early to say - she is still in a traffic seperation scheme at the moment.
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