STELLA ANTARES	FRANS	STELLA MARIS 2	STELLA POLLUX	THEODORA
STELLA CASTOR	FRANS VAN SEUMEREN	MELVINA	STELLA PROCYON	THEODORA 2
STELLA DUVAL	GEMMA	STELLA ORION	STELLA RIGEL	THEODORA 3
FRANCESCA S	STELLA LYRA	STELLA POLARIS 1	STELLA RIGEL 2	STELLA WEGA
STELLA FORNAX	STELLA MARIS	STELLA POLARIS 2	STELLA SIRIUS	STELLA WEGA 2

THEODORA TANKERS

1947-2001

A brief history

Just after Worldwar II, Mr J.F. van Seumeren founder of Teerbedrijf Uithoorn (Tebu), decides to start his own sea going tanker company. In 1947 Rederij Theodora was born and started with her first ship named 'Theodora', an old Chant Tanker.

Furness Shipping & Agency Co of Rotterdam was appointed to be general agent. In that same year a second chant tanker was bought and named 'Frans', both ships were fitted to carry black products, mainly liquid Tar. In 1951 the third chant tanker named 'Gemma' came into service.

The 'Gemma' was specially fitted to carry Sulphuric Acid, unfortuned she went down in the same year on the North Spanish coast, taking the lives of all her crew.

The 'Stella Maris' which came into service that same year, went down after a collision in the Sont, her crew was rescued. The owners were serious thinking of stopping there activities after those two losses.

Nevertheless, the first newbuilding was ordered at Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven/Groningen. The vessel called 'Stella Maris' (2) was designed according the companies own specifications and brought into service in 1954.

Two sisterships of the 'Stella Maris' (2), 'Frans van Seumeren' and 'Theodora' (2) followed in 1955 and 1958. The three ships were about 700 dwt. By than the two old chant tankers were sold to Everard & Sons U.K.

The 'Theodora' (2) starts her career as a wine tanker and operates mainly in the Med Sea,Stella Maris' (2) goes to the West African Coast for Palm Line (U.K.) to operate as a ligther on the rivers. 'Frans van Seumeren' operates mainly in NW European waters and makes many voyages from M,brough to Kristiansand and New Castle –Amsterdam her cargo mainly tar.

After her wine trade, the 'Theodora' (2) was chartered by Shell for many years, trading mainly on the British-Irish and Scottish coast. Many voyages Ardrossan-Belfast and Swansea-Newport were made. In the sixties 4 new ships were built resp 'Stella Polaris' 1961 a 925 dwt chem tanker, 1962 'Stella Antares' 1045dwt chem tanker, 'Stella Fornax' in 1964 1100 dwt and in 1967 the 'Stella Sirius', both bitumen tankers capable of carrying there cargo at 165 centigrade. 'Stella Sirius' immediate sets of to the Carib for a long term charter with Shell, trading between Trinidad, Willemstad and several West Indian Islands. In the late sixties and early seventies things are changing rapidly. 'Theodora's (2) charter with Shells comes to an end. 'Stella Maris' (2) and 'Frans van Seumeren' are sold to Tanker Transport Service Rotterdam (crew management Theodora Tankers). All ships homeport Uithoorn is changed to Rotterdam.

Furness takes over the complete Rederij Theodora and renames it Theodora Tankers .

Crews from the former ZHSM have to intregate with Theodora Tanker crew, a difficult task.

Many crew members from both fleets as well as office workers are leaving the company.

'Stella Polaris' is sold in 1971, 'Stella Antares' is lengthened and fitted as a black product tanker, her dwt increases to 1600 mt.

Three sisterships are added to the fleet first in 1971 'Stella Rigel' in that same year the 'Stella Duval' a liquid sulphur tanker and in 1973 the 'Stella Orion', all 3200 dwt.

'Stella Sirius' is lenghtened in 1976 dwt increases to 1600 mt. In 1978 the 'Theodora' (2) (1958) undergoes a complete face lift, she is lengthened and deepened, her dwt becomes 1060 mt.

In that same year the 'Stella Procyon' is put into service. From her builders in the midle of Friesland to Amsterdam she makes a spectacular voyage through narrow channels and bridges. She makes the headlines of the newspapers and TV.

The early eighties brings the twins 'Stella Pollux' 1981 and 'Stella Castor' into service. The 'Stella Castor' is the last ship built by Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven for Theodora Tankers as they went bankrupt in the eighties.

In 1984 two oldies left the fleet, 'Stella Antares' was scrapped on the leftovers of the Gusto Shipyard in Schiedam, 'Stella Fornax' was sold to Greece as Vasilios 4. 'Stella Castor' and 'Pollux' were lengthened in 1985, increasing there dwt to 3050 mt. 'Stella Wega' ex 'Hanne Luppe' was bought that same year on a auction, she was sold again to Algeria in 1987.

In 1989 the old lady 'Theodora' (2) is scrapped after her arrival the 1^st of october in Vigo.

'Theodora' (2) did her job for 31 years, a remarkable record. 1989 brought the new 'Stella Lyra' 3500dwt, capable to heat her cargo up to 220 C. 'Stella Castor' however was sold to Italy that same year.

In the late eighties the mother company Furness was falling apart, many divisions were sold, so was Theodora Tankers new owner in 1990 Pakhoed, by then already owner of the Gebr. Broere company. Again new rules and regulations.

In 1990 the 'Stella Rigel' arrives in Colombia to be demolished. An old name 'Theodora' (3) joins the fleet, with her 6650 dwt she is nearly 15 times as big as the first Theodora. That same year the 'Stella Duval' who is laid up in Bolnes, is sold to Unifleet as 'Stella' and the Italian Company Seran Spa from Ravenna is bought with there two ships 'Melvina' and 'Francesca S'.

In 1994 Pakhoed, places 'Theodora' in a new division called Pakhoed Shipping. The near sale to the Irish Jones Group makes it clear that Pakhoed wants to sell Theodora Tankers.

The 'Stella Wega' (2) built in Dordrecht joins the fleet in 1996 her dwt is 4450 mt, a year later the 'Melvina' than already under dutch flag is sold. 'Francesca S' changes flag from Italy to Holland and is renamed 'Stella Rigel' (2). The second 'Stella Polaris' leaves her builders yard of de Schelde at Flushing in 1999 she can carry 8297 mt.

The last three newbuildings can carry and maintain there cargo at 250 C.

In the mean time the company becomes a division of Vopak and is called Vopak Theodora Tankers.

Vopak Theodora Tankers is sold by Vopak in 2001 to TarBit Shipping of Sweden

The companies name remains unchanged, the vessels stay under Dutch registration.

A new office in Dordrecht is opened at the Wolwevershaven.

The ships are repainted in the blue home colours of TBS, who now is the major company in its kind.

H. Pieterse

Ex Theodora Tankers


THEODORA PHZB 1946-1954 UITHOORN TOP 1944 Furness Shipbuilding Haverton Hill on Tees 366. 366 brt, 169 nt, 450 dwt. L 45.19, B 8.26, H 3.55, 2t 6 cil Crossley 220 hp 161 kw, 8 kn. 4 Cargotanks 515 m. 1944-1946 Chant53. 1946-1950 Theodora Teerbedrijf Uithoorn. 1950-1954 Reederij Theodora Uithoorn. 1954 Sold to U.K. als Averity. 1972 Demolished.


Auspicity (ex Frans)
FRANS PEDT 1947-1955 UITHOORN TOP 1944 Goole Shipbuilding, Goole, U.K. 415. 395 brt, 160 nt, 470 dwt. L 43.46, B 8.24, H 3.35 . 2 t 4 cil Crossley 220pk 165 kw, 8 kn. 4 Cargotanks 515 m 1944-1947 Chant 27, 1947 Comache, 1947-1955 Frans Teerbedrijf Uithoorn/Rederij Frans. 1955 Sold to U.K. as Auspicity, 1972 Thekli Griekenland. 1974 Demolished


GEMMA PEHH 1951-1951 UITHOORN TOP 1944 Goole Shipbuilding, Goole, U.K. 417. 400 brt, 194 nt, 490 dwt. L 45.19, B 8.24, H 3.35. 2 t 4 cil Crossley. 165 kw., 7,5 kn. 4 Cargotanks 515 m. 1944-1946 Chant 51, 1946-1951 Dollie (Sweden), 1951-1951 Gemma Teerbedrijf Uithoorn. On december 28, 1951, fire in the Engine room at drift and towed towards Bilboa. Went at drift again, and grounded up side down on the Northern Spanish Coast. All crew missed in one of the worst shipping disasters in Dutch Shipping History




Stella Fornax in the Oslofjord from Antwerp to Lysaker (Oslo) 1974.


STELLA FORNAX PHSQ 1964-1984 UITHOORN TOP 1964 Scheepswerf P. Smit Jr, Rotterdam 651. 499 brt, 317 nt, 1110 dwt, L 69.14, B 9.76, H 4.25. 4t 8 cil Deutz 1000 hp, 736kw. 1964-1984 Stella Fornax Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 6 Cargotanks, 1099 m.165 Celsius. 1984 Sold as Vasilios 4 (Greece), 1984 Vasiliki 6, 1986 Leon, 1989 Astarte, 1991 Giulia, 1992 to be demolished. 1994 Sailing again as Ambar (Honduras), 1996 laid up. 1997 Brought up by the Italian Coast Guard with Albanian refugees.
Stella Fornax




	Ex-Francesca S nu Stella Rigel (2)
FRANCESCA S PEDX 1990-1998 ROTTERDAM TOP 1988 Cantier Naval di Pesaro. Pesaro 61. as Francesca S. 199, 2456 gr, 1049 nt, 3682 dwt. L 93.02, B 14.05, H 6.38 . 4t 6 cil Deutz 3208 hp, 12 kn. 10 Cargotanks 170º Celsius. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. In 1996 under Dutch flag. In 1998 renamed: STELLA RIGEL PEDX 1998 Rotterdam. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping.

MELVINA PFXL 1990-1997 ROTTERDAM TOP 1984 Cantiere Navale Pesaro. Pesaro 54 as Melvina. 1990. 1974 gr, 1027 nt, 3276 dwt. L 88.27, B 13,42, H 5.06. 10 Cargotanks 160º Celsius 3767 m. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. 1990-1995 Italian Flag. 1995 Dutch Flag. 1997 Sold to Singapore as Hin Hin M..



	crew Stella Antares

STELLA ANTARES PHTC 1962-1983 UITHOORN TOP 1961 Nieuwe Noord Nederlands Scheepswerven, Groningen 326. 499 brt, 288 nt, 1045 dwt. L 63.19, B 9.61, H 4,20. 4t 8 cil Deutz 740 hp. 1962-1983 Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 1969 Lengthened up to 80.60 m dwt 1541. 165º Celsius. 1984 Demolished at Schiedam.



STELLA CASTOR PHSB 1980-1989 ROTTERDAM TOP 1980 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 399. 1499 gr, 803 nt, 2272 dwt. L 67.05, B 13.52, H 6.91. 4t 4 cil Wartsila 1500 hp, 1104 kw, 11.5 kn. 1984 Lengthened Vlaardingen Oost up to 93.05 m dwt 3972. 12 Cargotanks 4220 m. 1989 Sold as Bituma Italy, 1995 Bituma Neth. Antilles, 1996 Aspalino Panama

	ex-Stella Duval nu Stella
Photographs courtesy of Albert Dekker
STELLA DUVAL PHSH 1971-1993 ROTTERDAM TOP 1971 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 371. 1585 brt, 975 nt, 3255 dwt. L 82.91, B 13.59, H 6.48. 4t 8 cil Deutz 2400 hp 1765 kw, 12 kn. 2 Cargotanks 1785 m. 120º Celsius, 1992 laid up at Bolnes. 1993 sold as Stella Neth. Antilles, 1994 Justus Antigua, 1994 Estrellita Panama.


STELLA LYRA PHUJ 1989 Rotterdam TOP 1989 Tille Scheepsbouw Kootstertille, 266. 2864 gr, 884 nt, 3480 dwt. L 95.75, B 14.50, H 8.30. 4t 4 cil Wartsila 2040 hp, 1501 kw. 12.5 kn. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. 12 Cargotanks 220º Celsius. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping


STELLA MARIS 2 PHSW 1954-1971 UITHOORN TOP 1954 Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 273. 498 brt, 280 nt, 691 dwt. L 56.50, B 8.43, H 3.61. 2t later 4 t 8 cil Brons 600 hp, 10 kn. 1954-1971 Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 1971-1977 Constance, Tanker Transport Service Rotterdam. 1977-1988 Thruscross, Effluents Servicesm Ltd, Liverpool. November 1988 demolished at Milfordhaven.

STELLA MARIS PHSV 1951-1953 UITHOORN TOP 1946 Chantiers Navals de Caen France. 640 brt, 231 nt, 677 dwt. L 56.88, B 9.45, H 3.99. 2 maal 2t 7 cil Sulzer van 700 hp 14 kn.. 1946-1951 Autun France, 1951-1953 Stella Maris N.V.Reedrij Theodora Uithoorn. 12 januari 1953 En route from New Castle to Kristiansand in collision with s.s.Lyngenfjord. Sunk, crew was saved.

STELLA ORION PHSW 1973-1998 ROTTERDAM TOP 1973 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 377. 1986 Gr, 903 nt, 3212 dwt. L 82.91, B 13,57, H 6.51. 4 t 8 cil Deutz 2400 hp, 1766 kw, 12 kn. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. 8 Cargotanks 13730 m. 165º Celsius. 1998 Sold to St Vincent as Orion.


STELLA POLARIS 1 PHSV 1961-1971 UITHOORN TOP 1961 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 315. 499 brt, 257 nt, 925 dwt. L 60.66, B 8.95, H3.99. 4t 8 cil Deutz 740 hp, 552 kw, 10,5 kn. 1961-1971 Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 1971-1987 Giaro D Italy.


STELLA POLARIS PEBD 1999 ROTTERDAM TOP 1999 werf De Schelde, Vlissingen 329. 5396 gr, 1668 nt, 8297 dwt. L 111.79, B 17.12, H 10.20. 4t 8 cil MAK 4814 hp 3540 kw. 15 kn. 8 Cargotanks, 270º Celsius 6390 m. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping.


STELLA POLLUX

STELLA POLLUX PHST 1981 ROTTERDAM TOP 1981 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 400. 1499 gr, 803 nt, 2272 dwt.. L 67.05, B 13.52, H 6.91. 4t 4 cil Wartsila 1500 hp, 1104 kw, 11.5 kn. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. 1985 Lengthened at Vlaardingen Oost up to 93.00 m, dwt 4156. 12 Cargotanks 165º Celsius. 2001 Sold under the same name to Tarbit Shipping.


	Foto's gemaakt tijdens de proefvaart.




STELLA PROCYON PHSL 1978 ROTTERDAM TOP 1978 Tille Scheepsbouw, Kootstertille 209. Gr 2697, 1191 nt, 4520 dwt. L 83,55, B 15.60, H 7.75. 4t 8 cil Deutz 2500 hp, 1840 kw. 11.75 kn. 10 Cargotanks 165º Celsius. Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping, under the same name.


STELLA RIGEL PHSY 1971-1990 ROTTERDAM TOP 1971 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 369. 1595 brt, 1057 nt, 3180 dwt. L 82.94, B 13.59, H 6.41. 4t 8 cil. Deutz 2400 pk, 1766 kw, 12 kn. 8 Cargotanks 3740 m. 165º Celsius Theodora Tankers Rotterdam. On april 3, 1990 demolished in Colombia

STELLA SIRIUS

STELLA SIRIUS PHSZ 1967-1987 ROTTERDAM TOP 1967 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen. 336. 499 brt, 309 nt, 1085 dwt. L 67.85, B 9.81, H 3.85. 4t 8 cil. Deutz 1060 hp, 11 kn. 6 Cargotanks 1100 m. 165º Celsius Rederij Theodora Rotterdam. 1976 Lengthened at Vlaardingen Oost up to dwt 1630. L 80.57. 1987 Sold to Greece as Kiknos (Swan). 1990 Artline Malta, 1994 Artline Greece.

STELLA WEGA PHHQ 1996 ROTTERDAM TOP 1996 Scheepswerf de Biesbosch, Dordrecht 869. 3983 gr, 1194 nt, 4450 dwt. L 105.60, B 15.80 H 9.40. 4t 8 cil MAK 4787 hp, 3525 kw. 15 kn. 8 Cargotanks 4100 m 250º Celsius. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping .


STELLA WEGA PHUL 1985-1987 ROTTERDAM TOP 1981 Werft Nobiskrug Rendsburg 706 als Hanne Luppe, 1985. 1599 gr, 1050 nt, 2865 dwt. L 86.01 B 12.48, H 6.02. 4t 8 cil Deutz 1478 hp, 11.75 kn.. 1987 Sold as Oued Noumer, Oran Algeria.

THEODORA



THEODORA PHYG 1991 ROTTERDAM TOP 1991 Werf De Merwede, Hardinxveld 658. 4098 gr, 1460 nt, 6616 dwt. L 110.60, B 17.08 m, H 9.36. 4t 8 cil Wartsila 3569 hp, 2625 kw. 14 kn. 9 Cargotanks 5138 m, 250º Celsius. 2001 Sold to Tarbit Shipping.


FRANS VAN SEUMEREN PEDT 1955-1972 UITHOORN TOP 1955 Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 277. 498 brt, 216 nt, 742 dwt. L 56.49, B 8.43, H 3.56. 4t 8 cil. Deutz, 650 hp, 478 kw, 10,5 kn. 8 Cargotanks 820 m. 165º Celsius. 1955-1972 Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 1972-1980 Linda Tanker Transport Services Rotterdam, 1980-1981 Perka Greece. 1981-1990 Lais. 1993 Mimis.



Theodora lengthened
THEODORA PHYD 1958-1989 UITHOORN TOP 1958 Nieuwe Noord Nederlandse Scheepswerven, Groningen 291. 499 brt, 230 nt, 740 dwt. L 56.49, B 8.51, H 4.22. 4 t 8 cil Deutz 650 hp, 485 kw, 10,5 kn. 8 Cargotanks 165º Celsius. 1958-1989 Rederij Theodora Uithoorn/Rotterdam. 1978 Scheepswerf Harlingen lengthened up to 65.16 m. Dwt 1028. Oktober 1, 1989 demolished at Vigo.