Carnival Cruise Lines’ fire-damaged Carnival Triumph rests against the US Army Corps of Engineers dredger Wheeler at Mobile, Alabama following heavy winds that caused the cruise ship’s mooring lines to snap. (Mobile City Hall)

Carnival Cruises saw its beleaguered Carnival Triumph hit the news again in early April when the 101,509gt ship snapped her lines during a heavy wind storm and was blown across the harbour at Mobile, Alabama to come up against the stationary US Army Corps of Engineers dredger Wheeler.

Both ships suffered structural damage in the incident, including a large gash just above Carnival Triumph’s main deck on the starboard side aft, and denting forward, and three dock workers were injured, one after being blown into the water. The cruise ship had been berthed at the BAE Ship Systems yard at Mobile undergoing repairs and modifications following her engine-room fire of early February while the American dredger was docked for routine maintenance at the nearby Signal Ship Repair yard.

Because of the incident, Carnival Triumph, and Carnival Sunshine (ex-Carnival Destiny), are having modifications and improvements made to  each vessel’s fire detection and suppression systems. JS

The first Maersk Triple-E class container ship has been floated out in South Korea, with another 19 expected to follow by June of next year. (DSME)

South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has floated out the first of Maersk Line’s new 18,000TEU Triple-E class container ships at its Okpo shipyard and expects to deliver the 400m by 59m vessel in July, probably naming her Maersk McKinney Møller in honour of the late Mr McKinney Møller.
The 20 Triple E ships will be the first box carriers with rounded hulls rather than streamlined V-shaped hulls, the change reflecting a shift by operators away from ships that go fast to vessels that emphasise fuel economy. The fatter hulls, usually seen in tankers and bulkers, also allow the use of a fuel-efficient two-engine set-up that is too wide for current container ships. JS

Cunarders old and new together at Long Beach in March.

For the first time since 1967, a Cunard Queen Elizabeth met with the long-retired Queen Mary in Long Beach, an event celebrated with an exchange of whistle salutes, fireworks and fanfare. In addition, a narrative of the ships’ histories was broadcast by Everette Hoard, speaking from the Bridge of Queen Elizabeth, which was also heard by guests on Queen Mary.  

The last meeting of an Elizabeth and Mary took place when both ships passed each other mid-Atlantic on 25 September 1967, with Queen Mary on her final Atlantic crossing. Queen Mary  served as a Cunard liner for more than 30 years and also as a troopship in World War II. Her influence lives on, with her interior design inspiring the modern Cunard fleet, while she continues to be a popular destination for maritime enthusiasts, who can visit her at her berth in Long Beach, California, where she is used as a hotel, museum and tourist attraction.