2025 Programme              (Updated 5th May 2025) 

The programme of events for 2025 is shown below.

Please note that all events in the 2025 programme are subject to change.

Saturday 26th April 2025 - Solent Cruise (11:45 - 18:00)

Our first Solent Cruise of 2025 was held on 26th April on board Blue Funnel’s Ocean Scene. 43 TSS members participated in the cruise. The day dawned rather grey and misty, but it soon improved and by the time we were setting off at midday, the sun was shining. First we went up to the Western Docks to view the shipping there. Princess Cruises Sky Princess was at berth 102 and we would later see her depart for Haugesund. The containership YM Continuity was in the process of swinging in the Upper Swinging Ground before her departure. The very large Hapag-Lloyd containership Hanoi Express was on SCT5 berth.

We followed the YM Continuity out of the harbour eventually catching up with her off Hythe allowing some close up stern views. Sadly the Ocean Scene did not have the speed to overtake her so we could get some bow shots. The bunkering tanker Whitstar and the feeder containership Dornbusch also passed us inbound in Southampton Water. At Fawley the tankers Gemma and Yasa Vega were the pick of the bunch.

Off now towards Portsmouth via the North Channel in the Solent. Our buffet lunch was served at this point. In Portsmouth HMS Queen Elizabeth was in port as well as the destroyer HMS Dragon. Portsmouth commercial port was busy with Geest Line refrigerated cargo ship Luzon Strait and the bulk carrier Handy Heidi present. Brittany Ferries Mont St Michel was also in the process of departing. On our way out of Portsmouth harbour we were followed by the preserved Motor Gun Boat MGB 81.

We headed back to Southampton and passed the outbound cruise ship Sky Princess in Southampton Water. She was followed out by the LNG bunkering tanker Coral Methane which had been bunkering P&O’s cruise ship Iona. The bunkering tanker made a good photo in sunshine with a dark rain cloud behind her. Thankfully the rain cloud did not get as far as the docks in Southampton! We had a little time to kill before the departure of the cruise ship , so we explored the Empress Dock. The vehicle carrier Artemis Leader was berthed in the Eastern Docks on the River Itchen. In the Empress Dock were the usual bunkering tankers and the offshore vessel Armada 78 02.

By this time the Iona was backing out of Ocean Dock and swinging prior to her departure. We had a good view of her as she departed. All too soon the cruise was over and we made our way back to Town Quay. Our thanks go to the crew of the Ocean Scene for looking after us well. Thanks also to Ian Cochran, Dave Smith and other members of the committee for organizing the day.

Photos and Report by Chris Brooks

YM CONTINUITY outward bound in Southampton Water.

Container feeder DORNBUSCH inward bound in Southampton Water.

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in Portsmouth.

Reefer LUZON STRAIT in Portsmouth.

Preserved MGB 81 following us out of Portsmouth.

SKY PRINCESS departing from Southampton.

LNG bunkering tanker CORAL METHANE outward bound.

ARTEMIS LEADER in the Eastern Docks, Southampton.

P&O's IONA departing from Southampton Harbour.

Photos from our May 2024 Rotterdam and Europoort Cruise.

Bitumen tanker IVER BLESSING inbound on the New Waterway.

Korean LNG Carrier SM ALBATROSS at the Gate Terminal.

Heavy load carrier SEAWAY ALFA LIFT in the Maasvlakte.

Ore carrier SAO OASIS also in the Mississippihaven.

Feeder ship X-PPRESS ELBE in the Caland Canal.

VLCC BALTIC LOYALTY in the Caland Canal.

Shuttle tanker ALTERA WAVE in the Caland Canal.

Photos by Des Upcraft

Saturday 17th May 2025 - Rotterdam and Europoort Cruise (10:00 - 20:00) / Sunday 18th May 2025 - Terneuzen Coach Trip.

Following our cruise in 2024 on board the Rotterdam based vessel Nehalennia, we will be organising a similar 10 hour trip around the Port of Rotterdam and out to Europoort. A buffet lunch will be served during the cruise.

In order to try to cover as many harbours as possible, we have booked the vessel for 10 hours and she will depart from the Boompjeskade at 10:00 CEST and return at around 20:00.

Please come and join us for a relaxing day cruising around Europe’s largest port. Bring your partner, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday on the water looking and photographing some of the largest ships in the world at close quarters.

Depending on the circumstances on the day, this trip will cover the same areas as the previous boat trips, ie - Europoort, Caland Canal, Maasvlakte, Botlek and the upper Rotterdam dock system, subject to timing, weather, tides and the Captain’s instructions.

Nehalennia was built in 1908 and was recently overhauled. She is licensed to carry 170 persons and similar to the Diane, the public area is spread over two decks. The toilets and kitchen are located on the lower deck, however, there is no disabled toilet or access for wheelchair users. The stairs between the decks are reasonably steep but easily negotiable.

On the main deck, there are two inside saloon areas with a catering / drinks service area between. There is a small open area forward, a large open deck to the stern, with side access, although with a handrail rather than plating. The top deck has another bar area, a comfortable saloon, and more open deck space. There is ample seating and tables, but with more than enough open space for photography on the upper deck. The wheelhouse area is located on a higher level, so there are unrestricted 360 degree views for photography from the upper deck.

We are also investigating the possibility of hiring a coach/minibus for a day trip to Terneuzen on Sunday 18th May, departing from Vlaardingen. Until we know how many members would be interested we are unable to give a cost indication or other details.

Confirmed date - bookings being taken.

Following on from the successful 2024 Solent Cruise held in conjunction with the World Ship Society Southampton Branch, we will again organize a similar cruise.

This trip will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, tankers, cruise ships, down to tugs, coasters and ferries. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The cruise will depart from Town Quay in Southampton, on board a Solent and Wightline Cruises "Cat" type vessel as used previously. This cruise will cover Southampton, the Solent including St. Helen's Anchorage and possibly part of the Nab Anchorage(vessel, weather and tides permitting) and possibly Portsmouth Harbour. The trip will last for seven hours.

The "Cat" vessels have an open deck area as well as a large enclosed saloon with toilets, and are an excellent platform for photography. The bar will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost.

Confirmed date.

Photos from our July 2024 Solent Cruise.

DATTILO M in the Nab Anchorage.

Chinese owned tanker XT PEACE in St. Helen's Anchorage.

Vehicle carrier THRUXTON outbound from Southampton.

MEIN SCHIFF 3 in the Western Docks, Southampton.

Photos by Chris Brooks

Photos from our September 2024 Solent Cruise.

EUROCARGO VALENCIA in the Western Docks.

Japanese naval training ship SHIMAKAZE in the Eastern Docks.

GAS ELIXIR in St. Helen's Anchorage.

CELEBRITY APEX outward bound in Southampton Water.

Photos by Chris Brooks

We will be organizing a third Solent Cruise, which will have something for everyone with the prospect of seeing almost all types of ships ranging from the largest container vessels, tankers, cruise ships, down to tugs, coasters and ferries. Bring your partner, even if they are not particularly interested in ships, as this is a very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The cruise will depart from Town Quay in Southampton, on board a Solent and Wightline Cruises "Cat" type vessel as used previously. This cruise will cover Southampton, the Solent including St. Helen's Anchorage and possibly part of the Nab Anchorage(vessel, weather and tides permitting) and possibly Portsmouth Harbour. The trip will last for six hours.

The "Cat" vessels have an open deck area as well as a large enclosed saloon with toilets, and are an excellent platform for photography. The bar will be open for the purchase of drinks and light refreshments at cost.

Date to be advised.