Built as a reefer vessel under yard No 201 by the Aalborg Værft A/S, Aalborg, Denmark for “Ocean” managed by J.Lauritzen A/S., Denmark.
08 Dec. 1972 launched under the name SAMOAN REEFER.
Tonnage 5.915 gross, 3.125 net, 8.800 dwt., dim. 145.47 x 21.06 x 8.795m.
Powered by one 8 cyl. 2 S.C.SA diesel engine, 15.000 bhp., speed 22.5 knots. The engine was manufactured by Burmeister & Wain Motor og Maskinfabrik af 1971, Copenhagen.
Reefer capacity 422.000 cubic feet. Two decks and a shelter deck.
Fitted out with side-ports for loading boxes of bananas via conveyer belts.
22 June 1973, delivered to owners.
According the press report supplied by this issues the SAMOAN REEFER visited regular the Pitcairn Island, (most probably from a voyage from or to New Zealand.)
Used in the worldwide reefer trade by Lauritzen.
18 Feb. 1975, the company name changed to J.Lauritzen A/S.
1986 Sold to Frigg Shipping Ltd., Bahamas, but still managed by J.Lauritzen. Bahama flag, not renamed.
1987 Lengthened by the Jurong Shipyard at Singapore, after cutting her in two parts a new section of 22.5 m. was floated in before the accommodation block. Before the lengthening she was a four-hold vessel, now she is a 5-hold vessel. The other holds were made more pallet friendly. Nowadays the cartons of bananas are mostly loaded on pallets.
A new crane was fitted, and the cooling plant was renewed.
Tonnage after the lengthening 9.831 gross, 5.277 net, 11.724 dwt.
1989 She made a voyage from Bremerhaven when she sailed on 29 Sept. from that port to Cristobal, Panama Canal.
1995 Sold to Sirpa Shipping Ltd., Cayman Islands, and renamed ARCTIC SWAN.
2002 Sold to unspecified owners of the Cayman Islands, managed by Lagoa Shipping, Piraeus, Greece, and renamed ARCTIC NIGHT.
2007 as given by http://www.equassis.org same name and unknown owner, IMO No. 7300760, managed by Lomar Shipping Ltd., London.
11 September 2007 arrived at Chittagong for breaking up.
Pitcairn Island 1987 50c sg296, scott?
Source; Navicula, J.Lauritzen 1884-1984 by Søren Thorsen. Marine News 1988/461 2003/93 http://www.equasis.org http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz