New Life for 'El Camino' as a Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo Ship

The vessel 'El Camino' (IMO 8207862), now called 'El Camino Español', departed from the port of Cartagena this noon. However, it is not going to be scrapped, as previously reported. The Turkish scrap company that the Army had awarded it to for that purpose has found a buyer – it seems there were more than one interested party for its conversion into a stable for transporting camels – and it will be rehabilitated for the transport of vehicles and roll-on/roll-off cargo, as puentedemando.com has learned from reliable sources.

With the tugboat 'Sea Alfa' moored 'English style' (port to port), the tugboats 'VB Asdrúbal' at the bow and 'VB Brío' at the stern separated it from the dock. Then, 'VB Asdrúbal' towed 'El Camino' and 'Sea Alfa' out from between the points. Next, 'VB Asdrúbal' moved into the starboard bow and 'Sea Alfa' opened from the side and positioned itself at the bow to take over the tow. The aforementioned vessel has left the port of Cartagena flagged in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Departure maneuver from the port of Cartagena

The ship 'El Camino' would have a new life as a merchant vessel

Photos: Diego Quevedo Carmona and Carlos V. Góñiz Fariñas