Eurodam in Helsinki, 9. July 2012

Eurodam

IMO 9378448
Built 2008, Fincantieri Porto Maghera, Italy
Tonnage 86 273 GT
Length 285,30 m
Width 32,25 m
Draught 7,80 m
1 916 passengers
2 104 passenger berths
6 MaK diesels, combined 64 000 kW
2 azipods
3 bow thrusters
Speed 23,9 knots

Following this week's earlier entry featuring the 1980s Holland America Line ship Thomson Spirit (ex-Nieuw Amsterdam), today we look at a state-of-the art HAL ship, the Eurodam. The E-dam (geddit?) was the first ship in HAL's Signature-class, a further development of the company's extremely successful Vista-class (examples of which have also been built for P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Costa Cruises). There's very little to say about the history of the E-dam so far; she entered service in 2008 and has apparently performed well ever since. What is interesting to notice however is the fact that since the Eurodam, HAL have taken delivery of just one further newbuilding (the E-dam's sister Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010) and HAL have no new ships in order. This is somewhat suprising when you remember that other major Carnical Corporation brands either have new ships currently in order or at least have taken deliveries of new ships within the past two years. One could therefore make the presumption that HAL is the weakest-growing Carnival brand at the moment.

But speculations aside. Below are photographs of the Eurodam departing from Helsinki West Harbour on the afternoon of 9. July 2012. She sailed out after the Thomson Spirit, but unfortunately it was practically impossible to get the two generations of HAL ships in the same photo. Photographed from Sisä-Hattu. Click on the images to see in larger size.

I've featured an increasing number of upright photos recently, which is somewhat surprising as my camera has a strong tendency not to focus properly if it's not held horizontally (yes, I do photograph with an aged, half-broken piece of crap).

I like the two funnels, but I do wish they'd paint them some other colour than white. But maybe that's just me.

Sisä-Hattu's foreground rocks featured again. What can I say, they look good there.

Two upright photos in one entry, probably a new record.

Lovely Pihlajasaari there in the background as well.

I wonder, is it always windy from the same direction when I photograph in the vicinity of Pihlajasaari, or are the trees there just permanently bent away from the open sea? Or is it just an optical illusion?

Next time: AIDAsol.