Built as bulk carrier with a 268 TEU’s containers on deck, under yard No 405 by Nippon Kokan K.K., Shimizu, Japan for the South African Marine Corporation.
22 October 1982 keel laid down, intended name S.A. PIONEER.
15 December 1982 launched under the name PIONEER.
Tonnage 21.308 gross, 12.980 net, 35.419 dwt. Dim. 177.50 x 29.55 x 10.66m.
Powered by one 6-cyl. Sulzer 6RLB66 engine, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kobe, 11.850 bhp., speed 15 knots.
29 May 1984 delivered to owners under the name SEA PIONEER, for Sea Pioneer Shipping Ltd., Bermuda, and managed by Cayzer Irvine Shipping Ltd.
Before delivery she had been laid up at the builders yard.
1984 She came under management of the South African Marine Corporation (SAFMARINE).
1986 Transferred to Pioneer Shipping Corporation (managed by Sounion Management Ltd.)
1991 Transferred to Sarnia Corporation, with the same managers.
11 June 1993 Sold to Iasmos Shipping Ltd., Piraeus, Greece and managed by Prosperity Bay Shipping Company Ltd., renamed OURANIA SMILE, under Cyprus registry.
September 2007 sold to Pela Maritime SA, Cyprus, renamed in SMARAGDA, and managed by Spianada Shipmanagement Co. Piraeus, Greece.
2008 http://www.equasis.org gives, still owned and managed by same owner and manager. IMO No 8114728, call sign P3DY5, Cyprus flag.
Source: Marine News. Safmarine by W.J.Harvey.