Built under yard no 895 by H.C. Stülcken & Sohn at Hamburg for the Zim Israel Navigation Co. Ltd. Haifa.
1961 Launched under the name SHIQMA, had two sisterships.
Tonnage 5,836 gross, 3,165 net, 7,234 dwt., dim. 127.36 x 17.86 x 9.15m. draught 7.27m.
Powered by one 6 cyl. Fiat Borsig diesel, 3,960 bhp., speed 14 knots, one screw.
May 1961 delivered to owners.
First used in the general cargo trade from Haifa to the West African coast, with a return load of logs. Used also a training vessel.
1975 Refitted by the Arsenal St Marco Shipyards at Trieste together with her sisterships in a container carrier, could carry 332 TEU’s. Tonnage increased to 6.140 gross, 7.267 net.
After the refit used in the trade between Haifa and Mediterranean ports, later also outside the Mediterranean.
On a voyage from Eilat to South Africa, with a cargo of containers, she developed a heavy list during the voyage in the Red Sea on 25 May 1981. Her crew of 31 men and 3 women abandoned the vessel in two lifeboats, and were safely rescued by the Swedish motor tanker MARINA, which disembarked them off Sharm el Sheikh.
The SHIQMA sank the same day in position 18 28N and 39 23E.
The tug is the NANA KENA.
Ghana 1967 10np sg469, scott295.
Source: Navicula. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987 by Norman Hooke.