A routine stopover... but not ordinary
The usual ballet at the Port of the Moon welcomed a special guest on Saturday, July 26: the Prometheus A 374, a supply ship of the Greek navy. Arriving from Denmark, this military vessel is making a stopover in Bordeaux until Tuesday, July 29, with a departure set for around 10:30 AM. According to the port officer, “everything is consistent and planned,” and it’s simply a routine stopover, although it’s quite rare for a ship of this size.
A colossus of 146 meters
Measuring 146.50 meters in length and 21 meters wide, the Prometheus impresses with its stature. This supply ship can carry up to 13,400 tons of displacement, including 4,700 tons of diesel, .1,200 tons of kerosene, 160 tons of fresh water, and 30 tons of oil. It is also equipped with two cranes and a helicopter platform, allowing it to operate in various conditions and over long distances.
A visiting school ship
Commissioned in 2003, built with the technical support of the Italian shipyards Fincantieri, the Prometheus is more than just an oil tanker. It also serves...and the training ship, carrying a crew of 137 sailors, with a capacity to host up to 256 people on board. It had already docked in a French port last year, in Brest, during a similar summer stopover.
A touch of Greece on the docks
During these three days in Bordeaux, passersby might just spot some Hellenic uniforms wandering through the downtown streets. A discreet yet symbolic presence, showcasing international maritime cooperation and port diplomacy.
It’s not every day that a Greek ship, built for supplying the seas, drops anchor in the Gironde. An opportunity for a nod to ancient history… set against a backdrop of gothic spires and…and 18th century facades.
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