LANKA ATHULA. Diesel engined container ship, owned by Coronado Container Schiff m.b.H & Co Red K.G.M.S. 'Brabant' W. Germany. Rdgistered at Hamburg. Manager Christian F. Ahrenkiel. Built 1977 by Howaldtswerke -Deutsche Werft., Hamburg, and launched as BRABANT. Renamed URUNDI, GULF RANGER (1977) URUNDI (1978) and LANKA ATHULA (1981). Tonnage : 10991 gross, 7135 net, 13850 dwt. Length o.a. 145.01m, draft 9.016m. Speed 18.5 knots.
Log Book May 1983
Sri Lanka SG796
Further information from Auke Palmhof:
Built as a container vessel under yard No 97 by Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft, Hamburg for Coop Transport Co. Ltd. Liberia.
06 June 1967 keel laid down.
28 September 1976 launched as the BRABANT.
Tonnage 10,991 grt, 7,135 net.,13,879 dwt, dim. 145.01 x 22.0 x 9.01m. (draught).
Powered by 1 diesel engine, 12,660 hp, one shaft, speed 17 knots.
Capacity for 550 TEU’s One gantry crane.
15 January 1977 delivered to owner Ernst. Willner Container GmbH (DAL), Hamburg under the name URUNDI
1977 Renamed by owners in GULF RANGER.
1978 Renamed by owners in URUNDI.
1981 Sold to Coronado Containers Schiffahrtsges. mbH, Hamburg, Germany.
1981 Renamed by owners in LANKA ATHULA.
1985 Renamed in BRABANT.
1986 Sold to The Shipping Corporation of New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand and renamed in FORUM NEW ZEALAND II.
30 January 1987 she sailed from Lyttelton on her first voyage as NZ Government contribution to the Pacific Forum Line.
29 May 1988 ran aground during thick fog at Adderley Head, Lyttelton, New Zealand., she was the same day refloated by tugs, and after inspection send to Singapore for dry-docking where several hull plates were required to repair a 3 x 2 meter gash and other bottom damage.
09 March 1989 sold to Eckington Limited, Hong Kong, managed by Denholm Ship Management Ltd. and renamed WEKA.
1989 Chartered to the Pacific Forum Line, Auckland, New Zealand and renamed again in FORUM NEW ZEALAND II registered in Hong Kong.
1993 Sold to Torsen Company Ltd., Hong Kong (Anglo Eastern Ship Management Ltd., Hong Kong.) and renamed ANRO ADELAIDE. Between 1993-1994 on charter by the Australian National Line Ltd., Melbourne.
1994 Renamed by owners in MCC CONVEYER.
1995 Renamed by owners in KHYBER.
1997 Renamed by owners in MAERSK ARUSHA
The same year renamed in X-PRESS KHYBER by owners
2000 Renamed by Inter Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore in COROMANDEL.
2001 Renamed by owners in KHARTOUM.
2001 Sold to Indian breakers and she arrived 17 November 2001 at Mumbai for scrapping.
The 2.50 stamp depicts a world chart with the shipping services carried out by the Ceylon Shipping Corporation.
Source: Navicula. Register of Merchant Ships built in 1977. Jack of All Trades, Master of None by Ian Farquhar. Marine News.