MV Norfolk Maiden Voyage Cargo Unloaded July 2023

MV Norfolk arrived last Friday and over the weekend, 22 & 23 July, the lighterage crew had a busy time unloading the cargo from the containers onboard the new barge and the vehicles, building material and food and other cargo were brought ashore to the Cascade Pier on the transfer vessels. It was great the weather was settled and by mid-day Sunday the unloading had been completed.

The new cargo vessel, named MV Norfolk, sails under the Flag of Singapore and is a NPDL, Neptune Pacific Direct Line cargo vessel. MV Norfolk is a “Landing Craft,” or looks very much like a barge, but is a motorised vessel, so does not require a tugboat for the voyages, as the Sea Force Barge requires from Brisbane.

On Friday afternoon, then Saturday and Sunday, I visited Cascade Bay and took a few photos of MV Norfolk as the vessel was anchored in the bay on its maiden voyage to Norfolk Island. Parking in the upper carpark was difficult as there is limited parking at the Cascade Pier area at present. This month a new construction zone has started next to the old whale boiler and the passenger transfer vessels have been moved to areas where the lighterage staff normally park. The local Norfolk Island Radio public notices announced that “the public should park at other places to view the vessel.” I parked at the Young Road viewing area above the pier, and I also took some images from Prince Philip Drive memorial, but this area also has limited parking, and the road can be difficult to drive in wet conditions.

The shipping app also has this additional information about the MV Norfolk

Vessel Name: NORFOLK
IMO Number: 9906726
Flag: SINGAPORE
Vessel Type: Landing Craft
Call sign: 9V8849
MMSI: 563194200
Year: 2023
Register Company: Bureau Veritas
Additional info:
Overall Length: 80.0
GRT: 1967
Inmarsat C Text / Data: 453304574
Inmarsat C Text / Data: 453304575

During the week, I have used my Vessel Marine tracker and on Wednesday, the MV Norfolk was still anchored at Cascade Bay and on Thursday morning the vessel had departed, returning on their voyage to New Zealand for the next load of supplies for Norfolk Island.

The Sea Force Barge and Tug has been at the Brisbane Port loading the cargo during the past few days, and my Vessel Marine tracker shows that by Thursday they are heading towards Bribie Island on their way out of the coastal area and will be heading to Norfolk Island, due here next week.

The last delivery of cargo to Norfolk Island on the Seaforce Barge and Tug from Australia was at the end of May 2023. Since then, cargo has been arriving via airfreight on the Toll flights, from Australia, and last week on the MV Norfolk, from New Zealand.

The Shipping schedule shows the MV Norfolk will return to Auckland for another ship load of cargo and due back approximately 9 August, as there is a back log of freight to deliver. As from August the MV Norfolk is scheduled to have a regular shipping service from Brisbane and Auckland, alternating with back-and-forth voyages.

If you wish to read more details of the shipping schedules, follow this link, or contact Norfolk Forwarding Services.

Norfolk Island Shipping Schedules | Forwarding Services (norfolkforwarding.com)

Here are a few images of MV Norfolk unloading at Cascade Pier and images of the parking areas along the shoreline.

Betty Matthews

July 2023