Bankline

[James Curry]

Was this ship Anvil Point 1.jpg not manned by Bankline when she came into service 19 years ago? She was chartered by the MOD and is now manned by Foreland shipping.

[Jim R Christie]

Was this ship Anvil Point 1.jpg not manned by Bankline when she came into service 19 years ago? She was chartered by the MOD and is now manned by Foreland shipping.

James,
She was (and is) operated by Foreland Shipping.
That company was specially setup to operate these 6 ships on behalf of the MOD and was made up of four equal partners: Andrew Weir Shipping (parent of Bank Line), Bibby Line, Hadley Steamship Co and James Fishers. It was initially known as AWSR (Andrew Weir Strategic Ro-Ro) but the name was changed after a few years to reflect the actual ownership of the ships.
Andrew Weir's undertook the technical management of the ships whilst Bibby Line managed the crewing side, the other two companies were silent partners.
Circa 2013 Bibby Line and James Fishers sold their shares to Hadley Steamship.
Andrew Weirs continued to manage the ships with Bibby supplied crews. A couple of years later AWS was dissolved and reborn as AW Shipmanagement after a management buyout which was financially supported by Hadleys.
Hadley Steamship now own Foreland Shipping outright. AW Shipmanagement now manage the ships and the crews themselves.

These ships appeared around the same time that Bank Line, UBC and MacAndrews were being slimmed down with ships being sold off, therefore a number of Weirs staff transferred across to these ships as they were built.
At the same time Cable & Wireless, P&O Containers, Maersk and Mobil also laid off large numbers of seamen, many of whom joined the new Foreland operation (all crew are British). A number of ex RFA people came across too who were either fed up with all things Grey Funnel or they sought quicker promotion than was available with RFA.
The original funnel colours for these ships was basically a Bank Line funnel with a green band and a logo imposed upon it.

I sailed in all six of this class of ship in their earlier years. Interesting work with some very sociable crowds, albeit they were dreadful seaboats.
Four ships were built in Germany, whilst the final two were built in Belfast and were the last ships ever built by Harland and Wolff - this being a political sop.

[John Palmer]

Very touching, Des.

I’ve carried this one with me for very many years…

OUTWARD BOUND.

Outward bound, across the sea, leaving behind a memory
of blonde hair, blue eyes and smiling lips…….
Which became more to me
than a thousand ships. (Anon).

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John P.
There is some poetry in all of us f we care to look.
Cheers Des