Taiko
1983/88 RoRocarrier
Buildingyard:Hyundai HI Ltd., Ulsan
Built year: 1983
Yard no: 250
Tonnage 1988-2002: GRT: 27902/NET: 16243 /TDW: 43986
Tonnage 2002-2014: GRT: 66532/NET: 26072 /TDW: 43986
Dims: LOA: 262,08/ BR: 32,31/ DR: 11,729
Machinery: 8-cyl B&W by the Shipbuilder
BHP: 36600
Speed: 21,00knots
TEU's: 2451
Carcap after 2002: 4397 (or 1413 on deck only)
Photo: K.H. Schistad
16.11.1983: Launched as BARBER HECTOR for Ocean Transport & Trading Plc. (Ocean Fleets Ltd - later Ocean Marine Ltd.), Liverpool
17.04.1984: Completed
00.00.1987: Transferred to Douglas, Isle of Man
20.12.1988: Purchased by Swedish Lines KG., Gothenburg. Charter to Rederi AB Transatlantic with further charter to Wilhelmsen Lines A/S
Manager: Transatlantic Ship Management AB., Gothenburg. Renamed TAIKO
21.12.1988: On charter to Wilhelmsen Lines Services A/S with further charter to Wilhelmsen Lines A/S (same manager)
24.02.1993: Purchased by Wilhelmsen Lines A/S. Price paid: USD 37.000.000. Registreted in Tönsberg/ NIS
00.12.1997: Transferred to Wilhelmsen Lines Shipowning AS., Lysaker
02.09.2002: Arrived at China Ocean Shipping Co Ltd., Nantong shipyard for conversion into a RORO/ Carcarrier
28.10.2002: Convertion completed.
00.12.2013: TAIKO was hired by the Norwegian Government to transport Syrian chemical weapons abroad for destruction,
involving also the Danish cargo ship ARK FUTURA, under protection of the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS HELGE INGSTAD and the Danish Absalon-class support ship HDMS ESBERN SNARE as well as Chinese, Russian and British warships
Specialist military personnel were also placed on board.TAIKO loaded chemicals at the Syrian port of Latakia, for transport to
Finland and the USA for destruction.