The SS Belocean was a sizable heavy lift ship with a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 7,750, constructed in 1945 by Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd in Greenock, Scotland. Launched on December 24, 1945, and completed in June 1947, the vessel measured 451 feet in length, with a beam of 66 feet 7 inches and a depth of 31 feet. Her design included a propulsion system featuring a steam turbine driving an electric motor connected to a screw shaft, allowing her to reach speeds of up to 15 knots. The turbine was built by the General Electric Company Ltd, Erith, and in 1954, she was upgraded with an 8-cylinder 2T EV MAN diesel engine, enhancing her operational capabilities. Initially built for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and registered under the code letters GKKK, she was known as Empire Canute during her early days. Lloyd’s Register of 1945-46 records her ownership by the MoWT and The Clan Line Steamers Ltd, managed by Cayzer, Irvine & Co Ltd. Post-war, she was completed as Belocean in June 1947 for Belships Co Ltd, with her port of registry in Oslo, managed by Christen Smith & Co Ltd, and allocated the code letters LMKX. Throughout her service life, the ship changed ownership and names, reflecting her versatile career. In February 1964, she was sold to Bacong Shipping Co SA in Panama and renamed Southern Star, operated by Southern Industrial Products Inc. of Manila. Later, in 1968, she was sold to Manila Interocean Lines Inc, Philippines, and renamed Marie Ann. Her maritime career concluded in July 1976 when she was scrapped at Gadani Beach, Pakistan. Her service history highlights her role as a robust heavy lift vessel, contributing significantly to post-war maritime operations and global shipping during her three-decade career.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.