Built by the Nystad Varv, Ab, Nystad, Finland (Uudenkaupungin Telakka Oy, Uusikaupunki for the Danish-French Steamship Company (Nordania Leasing A/S, Denmark.)
Launched under the name GRØNLAND.
Tonnage 4.209 grt, 2.221 net, 4.990dwt., dim. 93.93 x 17.25 x 7.36m. (draught).
Powered by one 10-cyl Pielstick Oil 4SA engine, 5.000 bhp., speed 14.5 knots.
Three decks.
1973 Delivered to owners.
She was especially designed for navigation in heavy ice, and was probably the most solid ship of the Danish Merchant Navy – built of 20mm special steel, which is further reinforced at exposed spots.
After delivery she was chartered for 10 years by the Royal Greenland Trade Department. She was used where the other ships of the company could not sail safely – the east coast of Greenland from Dankarkshavn to Angmagsalik.
She is also used for the first call at the port of Disko Bay and for navigation to Thule, Upernavik and Uummannaq. For navigation under especially difficult conditions, she is particularly able along the northeast coast of Greenland where scientific, military and meteorological bases and stations are supplied with fuel. Building materials and other things cannot practically be flown up; hence the ship can be equipped with a helicopter that can be used partly for ice reconnaissance and partly for the necessary connection with land.
1983 Was she renamed NUNGU ITTUK.
1993 Sold to Royal Arctic Line A/S (Greenland Trading), Denmark (DIS), renamed KISTA ARCTICA.
November 2004 sold to Golden Marine LLC, Kingstown, St Vincent, and renamed ARCTICA.
2008 http://www.equasis.org gives owned by the same owner, under Panama flag with call sign H3KJ. IMO No 7226263.
Managed by Akva Shipping Co. Ltd., Vladivostok, Russia, the owner address is also given at Vladivostok.
On Greenland 2005 6.00Kr. sg?
Marine News 1984/95. 1993/492. Watercraft Philately Vol. 52/23.