Al Malik Saud Al-Awal

Mac · Jun 26, 2005

"Al Malik Saud Al Awal",47,360 Deadweight Tons and the biggest then built. Built by Howaldtswerke AG Hamburg in 1954 for Onassis.

Overtook in size the "Tina Onassis" 46,070 Deadweight Tons built in 1953 in the same yard for the same owner.

In 1956 Ludwig (Universe Tankships Inc) started building 85,000 DWT tankers in Kure and the race was on.

Jan Hendrik · Jun 26, 2005

Beautiful picture.
I remember both vessels and have been on board both especially the Tina Onassis,then when I was working for Vinke and Co who were Onassis' agents for many years.
Aristotelis' cousin was Kimon Onassis and I had the pleasure sharing desks with him between 1961 and 1964 whilst in Rotterdam.

Their tankers were all spotless, white topsides and special dark green decks.
Tina Onassis docked at Wilton Feyenoord in Schiedam few times.

Which is this particular drydock? In Germany perhaps?

Mac · Jun 26, 2005

As Jan says, the "Tina" was immaculately painted with white topsides. Named after the owners (then) wife who was a member of the rival Niarchos shipping family.

Great days, I remember seeing the "Tina Onassis" leaving the PG in 1956 with reflections of waves on her topsides.

Jan Hendrik · Jun 26, 2005

Livanos, Onassis, Niarchos.
Those were the names and those were the days.
Onassis at later times decided to change the topside colour from white to black to the great disappointment of the paint supplier (and I was very much involved here too...) as you require 3 times as much white in comparison to the black.
Niarchos always had black topsides and Livanos had their "battle ship grey" colour.

Al Malik Saud Al-Awal

Mac

Jan Hendrik

Mac

Jan Hendrik

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