THALATTA is a large Post-Panamax Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operated within the Wallenius Wilhelmsen fleet. Built in South Korea in 2015, she was the second vessel of Wilhelmsen’s new-generation HERO – High Efficiency Ro-Ro series, following Thermopylae. The ship was specifically designed to combine very high vehicle capacity with the ability to carry heavy and oversized Ro-Ro cargo, while improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions per transported unit.
THALATTA was delivered on 7 April 2015 by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and immediately entered service for Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. She measures almost exactly 200 metres in length and 36.5 metres in beam, dimensions chosen to take advantage of the expanded Panama Canal while still allowing the vessel to serve the company’s principal ports worldwide. Her total vehicle capacity is approximately 8,000 CEU, spread over 13 decks, five of which are adjustable to accommodate cargo of different heights.
The vessel also has a documented connection with Piraeus. THALATTA was photographed at Drapetsona Bay on 20 December 2015, only eight months after entering service, and she subsequently became part of the PiraeuShips archive. This means your recording preserves one of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s then brand-new HERO-class vessels during the very first year of her commercial career.
Vessel Details
Name: THALATTA
IMO: 9702455
MMSI: 229710000
Call Sign: 9HA3538
Type: Pure Car and Truck Carrier – PCTC
Design / Class: HERO – High Efficiency Ro-Ro / Post-Panamax
Flag: Malta
Port of Registry: Valletta
Built: 2015
Delivered: 7 April 2015
Builder: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, Samho, South Korea
Yard Number: S722
Registered Owner: Wilhelmsen Lines Shipowning AS
Commercial Operator: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS
Technical / ISM Manager: Wilhelmsen Ship Management AS
Classification: DNV
Length Overall: 199.97 m
Beam: 36.50 m
Summer Draught: approx. 10.61 m
Gross Tonnage: 75,283 GT
Deadweight: 23,786 t
Vehicle Capacity: approx. 8,000 CEU
Decks: 13, including 5 liftable decks
Stern Ramp Capacity: approx. 320 t
Main Engine: MAN B&W 8S60ME-C8
Main Engine Power: approx. 15,560 kW / 21,155 hp
Service Speed: approx. 20 knots
HERO-Class Design
THALATTA belongs to the HERO generation of Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carriers. The acronym stands for High Efficiency Ro-Ro, and the design was developed around greater cargo flexibility and lower fuel consumption. At 36.5 metres wide, the vessel is significantly broader than earlier Panamax PCTCs, giving her space for an additional vehicle deck and bringing total capacity to roughly 8,000 cars.
Her five adjustable decks allow the ship to carry not only passenger cars but also trucks, buses, construction machinery and other high-and-heavy cargo. The stern ramp can handle loads of around 320 tonnes, giving the vessel considerable flexibility for oversized rolling cargo.
The design also introduced several efficiency improvements, including a streamlined bow, an optimised Promas rudder/propeller arrangement and an engine designed to operate efficiently over a wider range of speeds and draughts. THALATTA was additionally delivered with an exhaust-gas cleaning system, intended to reduce sulphur emissions and particulate matter.
History
THALATTA was the second HERO/Post-Panamax vessel delivered to Wilh. Wilhelmsen in 2015, after Thermopylae. Wilhelmsen’s fleet records show both ships with an 8,000-CEU capacity, with THALATTA entering service in April 2015. They were later joined by sister ships Theben and Themis.
The ship has retained the THALATTA name, Maltese flag and Wilhelmsen association throughout her career. Current 2026 records continue to list her in active service, with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean as commercial manager and Wilhelmsen Ship Management responsible for technical/ISM management.
Piraeus Connection
THALATTA’s appearance at Piraeus is particularly interesting because it occurred during her first year in service. She was documented at Drapetsona Bay on 20 December 2015, with the same Malta flag, MMSI 229710000 and call sign 9HA3538 that she retains today.
PiraeuShips Record
THALATTA was recorded at Piraeus by PiraeuShips during the first year of her career. Delivered only months earlier as one of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s first HERO-class Post-Panamax car carriers.
Original video footage © PiraeuShips. All rights reserved.
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