Posted in Blog posts, Building the 'D' Class

Building the ‘D’ Class – Part Two

 June 28, 2009  Leave a Comment on Building the ‘D’ Class – Part Two

In the first part of our look at the construction of the Maersk ‘D’ class, we reviewed the three vessels at various stages as they grew from the bottom up in the Samsung shipyard at Geoje in South Korea. This second series of images shows the Maersk Dunkerque over the period March to September 2005, through sea trials and up to the ship being handed over on 27 September.

March 2005, and the 'Dunkerque' has been painted for the first time.
March 2005, and the 'Dunkerque' has been painted for the first time.
The stern door. Above, the 'lip' for the linkspan to rest upon when in port at Dover is visible.
The stern door. Above, the 'lip' for the linkspan to rest upon when in port at Dover is visible.
At the stern of the ship, at the upper vehicle deck level. On the far (starboard) side, the internal ramp leading to the third vehicle level, for cars only, can be seen. In this area the ships have an arrangement similar to Irish Ferries' Ulysees of 2001.
At the stern of the ship, at the upper vehicle deck level. On the far (starboard) side, the internal ramp leading to the third vehicle level, for cars only, can be seen. In this area the ships have an arrangement similar to Irish Ferries' Ulysees of 2001.
Looking down from above the bridge to the forecastle.
Looking down from above the bridge to the forecastle.
Looking back from the top of the bridge to the funnel.
Looking back from the top of the bridge to the funnel.

Just aft of the bridge on the starboard side, these skylights allow natural light to flow down onto the buffet area of the crew mess below.
Just aft of the bridge on the starboard side, these skylights allow natural light to flow down onto the buffet area of the crew mess below.

The classic Maersk funnel before the addition of the star. The choice of funnel design has been criticised for being at odds with the otherwise overt modernity of the ships.
The classic Maersk funnel before the addition of the star. The choice of funnel design has been criticised for being at odds with the otherwise overt modernity of the ships.
Looking down at the stern with another view of the ramp to the upper car deck.
Looking down at the stern with another view of the ramp to the upper car deck.
A unique view, looking forward from the top of the funnel.
A unique view, looking forward from the top of the funnel.
Amongst the 'forest' of exhausts atop the funnel. These are still pristine but will later be black in appearance.
Amongst the 'forest' of exhausts atop the funnel. These are still pristine but will later be black in appearance.
Looking aft from the funnel.
Looking aft from the funnel.
Close up of the large 'cow catcher' for use with the Dunkerque linkspan.
Close up of the large 'cow catcher' for use with the Dunkerque linkspan.
The Maersk Dunkerque and Maersk Delft, May 2005.
The Maersk Dunkerque and Maersk Delft, May 2005.
The funnel, with the Maersk star now in place.
The funnel, with the Maersk star now in place.
The 'Dunkerque' heading out for sea trials, 1 June 2005.
The 'Dunkerque' heading out for sea trials, 1 June 2005.
27 September 2005: the Maersk Dunkerque is handed over to Norfolkline.
27 September 2005: the Maersk Dunkerque is handed over to Norfolkline.

With grateful thanks to Stephen Mackenzie at Norfolkline.
The next part of this series will look inside the embryo interiors as the Maersk Dunkerque approached completion.

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