IMO 7423249
GRT: 2,611
Net: 1,288
Dwt: 4,081
Length overall: 94.52 m
Beam: 14.25 m
Draught: 5.849 m
Built: 1976
Builders: J.J. Sietas Schiffsw., Hamburg
Description of ship: Cement carrier, Self unloader.
Capacity: 106,200 cu.ft.
Cranes: 1 x 3 tons, 2 x 1.25 tons
Engines: 2 Oil 4SA each 6Cy. 320 x 450 reduction geared to screw shaft. 3,600 bhp
Service speed: 13.5 knots
Port of Registry: Lyttelton

Westport sailed from Hamburg on 1 February 1976, after being handed over by her builders on 29 January. She arrived at Lytelton on 10 March 1976, after a delivery voyage through the Panama Canal and a call at Pitcairn Island. After docking she sailed for Westport on 18 March to load her first cargo, leaving there for Onehunga on 22 March. Since then, she has been a regular caller at Westport, Onehunga, Napier, Gisborne, Nelson, Wellington and Lyttelton. Early in 1982, Westport loaded a couple of cargoes at Dunedin, the first (and last) time that cement had been exported from NZ Cement Holdings bulk handling facility there. It had been used once before - the Milburn Carrier discharging there on her maiden voyage on the New Zealand coast in May 1972.
Now 36 years of age, she has been well maintained but is due for replacement soon.

The bulk cement ship Golden Bay was delayed during a drydocking at Devonport, Auckland, awaiting spares from overseas for its controllable-pitch propeller system and was out of service for several weeks.
Westport was chartered to make two coastal voyages from Portland, the first time she had been there for a number of years.
For the record, here's details of those voyages.

2012:
Portland 1815 21 Nov 23 0200
Napier 0935 24 Nov 25 1805
Wellington 1130 26 Nov 26 1700
Portland 1100 28 Nov 29 2030
Tauranga 1500 1 Dec 4 2057
Gisborne 1245 5 Dec 5 1810

Thence to Westport to resume normal trading.

On 22 December 2012, she arrived at Lyttelton for survey and was not expected back into service until mid February 2013.