UPDATE: West Seattle’s Terminal 5 to be almost-last stop for Matson’s Lurline

12:14 PM: The Port of Seattle says the long-idle Matson cargo ship Lurline will soon be at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 – as one of its last stops. The 1973-built, 826-foot roll-on-roll-off vessel has been laid up for years, currently at Terminal 25, and now it’s set to be scrapped. But first, port spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB, it’ll be towed to T-5 today. The Lurline will remain at T-5 several weeks, McGraw says, before it’s towed away to “a scrap yard in the Gulf.” We’ll update later when the ship shows up here.

1:20 PM: The Lurline has just arrived at T-5. Photo added above.

Mary January 3, 2017 (12:46 pm)

I reckon this is it being escorted in by tugs right now! Not on Marine Traffic.

WSB January 3, 2017 (1:15 pm)

Yes – we just went over to Jack Block to photograph it after making an educated guess via tug activity on MT! (P.S. – Thanks for that perspective!)

Curious WSeattleite. January 3, 2017 (4:36 pm)

Thanks for this info! Been wondering ever since I moved here almost two years ago why the ship been just laying there. And when will they make pier-5 into a racetrack? ;-)

Chemist January 3, 2017 (5:12 pm)

It was just providing a nice counter-example for any “long term mooring permits” that the mayor and DCI head thought the shell fleet needed.

Dale January 3, 2017 (6:54 pm)

It’s a great thing the ship is finally being scrapped. It was leaching heavy metals into our waterways for the past two years by its resting. By the hull and top side. No foreseeable demand and excess capacity in an industry that is struggling. Thanks for sharing and letting us know.

Jon Wright January 4, 2017 (9:37 am)

The story I heard was because this boat was US-built, it had unique value on account of the Jones Act and that is why Matson kept it. Does anyone know what ever happened to the Kauai? It was parked at T25 for an extended period before the Lurline. Wonder if a new boat is going to replace the Lurline.

WSB January 4, 2017 (9:53 am)

I sent a variety of followup questions to Matson yesterday and a few to the port after their initial FYI. Have not received replies yet.
LB January 4, 2017 (7:51 pm)

Looks like the Kauai is still in service according to this site (scroll down to the Port history section):

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1276114

Another ship is now parked at T25 (it was too dark outside to identify).

Mike Rose January 5, 2017 (4:25 pm)

Always a shame to see such a beautiful vessel taken to the scrapeyard. I have been aboard the vessel, stood on it’s bridge and sat in the captains cabin. It is a nice ship from the another era.

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