This geared, multi-purpose container/cargo vessel was constructed in Szczecin, Poland by Stocznia Szczecinska im A. Warskiego, probably ordered first for some German interests, but apparently the vessel was sold before completion and was delivered and taken-over by the well-known, British company Elder Dempster Ltd., operating a regular shipping line to West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana. The keel was laid in August 1978 and the launching took place on 02.12.1978, when the ship was christened "SEKONDI" by Mrs. F. Roby. The ship was delivered to her owners on 17.07.1979, was flying the British flag and was registered in Liverpool. Owners: Midland Montagu Leasing (UK) Ltd., London, IMO / Lloyd's Register No. 7712145, official No. 378095, call sign: GYAU. The management was with Ocean Fleets Ltd., Liverpool, (Blue Funnel). The maiden voyage commenced in August 1979 and was carried out under the command of Capt. Robin McLeod Munro.
The ship was named "SEKONDI", according to the old harbour town of Sekondi, close to the new town of Takoradi in Ghana and her two sister vessels were the "SAPELE" (a town in the Niger delta) and the "SOKOTO" (a town in northern Nigeria).
The ship had 4 holds with tween decks and holds 2, 3 and 4 had "split hatches", which means the hatches were divided into PS and STB hatch. The six cargo derricks were of the MacGregor/Hallen type and had a lifting capacity of 36 tonnes to handle containers. Slewing was effected by two slewing winches. Tween deck and weather deck hatches were hydraulically operated MacGregor steel hatches.
The engine room was fully automated and the main engine was a Cegielski-Sulzer engine, 6RND68, coupled to a CP-propeller (controllable pitch propeller). Three Cegielski-Sulzer 5A25 diesel generators and one shaft generator provided electrical power. An electrically driven, tunnel type bow thruster was fitted, allowing manoeuvring in ports without tugs.
On 15.07.1985 the ship was time chartered to Nigerian Green Lines Ltd., Lagos and renamed "BELLO FOLAWIYO" and in December 1985 after completion of the charter she was returned to her original name "SEKONDI".
After some spells laid-up in the River Blackwater and in Liverpool she crossed the Atlantic in foul weather in February 1986, bound for the St. Lawrence Gulf, then she was chartered by Hapag-Lloyd for a voyage to the West Coast of Central America.
In October 1986 the ship was bought by Onega Shipping Ltd., owned by some French interests and the vessel’s technical management was allocated to ABC Maritime AG. She was taken-over in Dunkerque, France, on 15.10.1986. The ship was renamed "DEO JUVANTE" and was registered under the flag of Gibraltar with home port Gibraltar. Official No. n/a, call sign: 9HIU4, GRT: 5677 / 9240, NRT: 2747 / 5167. This was the first vessel operated by ABC Maritime A.G., Nyon, Switzerland.
The crew consisted of 20 men and were of mixed nationalities. The master was British and the Chief engineer was Swiss, the officers and engineers were British, Polish and Filipino, the crew mainly from the islands of Cabo Verde.
On her first trip the ship was time-chartered again for one voyage to Hapag Lloyd, Hamburg for one voyage from North Europe to Central America (La Guaira, Maracaibo, Christobal, Caldera, Corinto and Acajutla). After discharge of the cargo and completion of the charter the "DEO JUVANTE" returned through the Panama canal and sailed to Houston, Texas, where she arrived on 24.12.1986 and went on-hire on same day with AAEL, America Africa Europe Line, Hamburg.
The line of AAEL began in the US-Gulf ports, then up the East coast to New York, to West Africa from Dakar to the Congo river and back up again, then to Portugal and across the Atlantic to New York and down the coast to the US-Gulf. When returning to the US-Gulf, occasionally also ports in Venezuela and Mexico were visited. A good percentage of the cargo destined for Africa was oil industry cargo discharged at anchor into supply boats in Cabinda and Soyo (the oil base "Kwanda" in Angola, opposite Banana at the mouth of the Congo river).
The vessel made 3 voyages for AAEL, until owners advised, that the vessel was sold to the Greek company Pegasus Shipping, Piraeus. On completion of the 3rd voyage the ship was handed-over to the new owners in New Orleans on 13.11.1987. The ship was renamed "MERKUR AMERICA". Owners: Lowden Navigation Inc., Nassau, official No. 378095, call sign: C6DG7, and she continued her voyages to West Africa under time charter with AAEL.
In 1990 renamed "EAL OPAL".
In July 1991 renamed "BERLIOZ".
In October 1991 sold to Wing Son Navigation Co. S.A., Panama. The management was with Waibert Steamship Co. Ltd., Hong Kong. Renamed "WING SON" GRT: 4937 / 8600. NRT: 3142 / 5599, official No. 20156-92 A, call sign: 3EED9.
On voyage from Bremen to Colombo, the vessel sustained a main engine breakdown on 19.11.1991 in heavy weather off La Coruña, Spain. Taken in tow for Vigo, where she arrived on 21.11.1991 for repairs. On 24.12.1991 the ship sailed for Bombay.
In May 1999 sold to Midland Shipping Lines Ltd., Chittagong and renamed "JAAMI". Official No. 187. call sign: S2UW.
Driven against the breakwater at Colombo (Sri Lanka) Outer Anchorage 26.12.2004 by the tsunami following an earthquake off Aceh, Indonesia. The vessel, after having suffered hull damage, ended up, with all compartments partly or completely flooded.
Subsequently refloated on 10.01.2005 by salvors and towed out into the anchorage with a severe list. There were no casualties amongst the crew. Later discharged and laid up at Colombo.
2005: Sold to be broken up in India for 275 $ per lightweight Tonnage (LWT) (or light displacement tonnage). Demolition commenced on 12.04.2006.