Visit to Port Altamira
It's been a busy week or so for the British Trader and then a quiet two weeks!
We finally loaded a cargo in Trinidad on June 30th, with orders to proceed to Altamira, Mexico to discharge.
As it was the Trader's first call to Altamira, we were expecting a lot of attention. Sure enough, the agent began sending messages requesting copies of almost every certificate on the ship. Once we arrived we found a port that has been carved out of the land. The area used to be a swamp but has been turned into a major port. Dredging is almost continuous.
We discharged the cargo, some of which is used in the local power station, but most is piped north across the border to the USA.
A few of the crew and officers managed to get ashore and sample the delights of Tampico, the nearest large town. There are now several sombreros onboard, one of which would make a mariachi player jealous!
We are now headed back to Trinidad. We aren't needed there for a while, so we are slow-steaming, saving bunkers and enjoying the weather.