Perpignan: In shipping folklore changing a ship’s name is considered bad luck. However, such has been the crescendo of revolt and outrage at the decision to name the world’s largest ship after a Dutch Nazi from the Second World War that shipping firm Allseas has been forced into retreat. The ship was named after the founder of the line, Peter Schelte (pictured in 1942), who joined the Waffen SS during World War II and was later convicted of war crimes. Allseas had refused to change the ship’s name, despite a 10-year campaign by Jewish groups, but has now bowed in to pressure.
Allseas said in a statement: “As a result of widespread reactions which have emerged over the past few days, Edward Heerema, president of Allseas Group, has announced that the name of the vessel ‘Pieter Schelte’ will be changed. It has never been the intention to offend anyone. The new name will be announced within a few days.”
Shell, which is set to charter the ship, has welcomed the name change.
The ship is the world’s largest platform installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel. It is is also by far the world’s largest vessel overall ever constructed in terms of its gross tonnage of 403,342 gt, as well as its breadth (123.75 m) and displacement (900,000 metric tons).
