Welcome to the Fleet!

 Welcome to the Southern Charter fleet, SCX Blackadder!

Blackadder joins the Matchett and Moana Roa at SCX shipping, increasing total capacity by approximately 40%.  Her shakedown voyage was from Long Beach North through San Francisco and Seattle, then Further North up into Alaska visiting Ketchican and Juneau before heading back South to Vancouver.

The entire fleet is headed for Los Angeles for some R&R before deploying again to the oceans of the world.

Discussions and negotiations are underway regarding a home-port for SCX Shipping's operations.  The original plan was to call Los Angeles home, given it's proximity to SCX's Headquarters at Inyokern, but this is now just one of the potential locations being looked at.

SCX Shipping Fleet Expansion

 SCX Shipping is in the process of sourcing an additional vessel to the fleet, expanding to 3 ships operating full-time.  This expansion will allow the Moana Roa, the smallest vessel in the current fleet, to return to shorter routes, more suited to her size and speed. The new vessel will join the MV John Matchett on the long-haul routes doubling SCX Shippings capability.

Trials of potential vessels are underway with the MV Ken Koku, a 23,000DWT Bulk Carrier testing off the US West Coast.

MV Ken Koku preparing to leave Long Beach for Sea Trials

Once a new vessel is selected it will need a new name, and a repaint before the official naming ceremony, and entry into revenus service with SCX Shipping.   Suggestions for names can be submitted via our Discord server, or via email to admin@southerncharter.net

IDAP Departure from Kosovo

 In recent sad news, our FSHub partner IDAP have ceased both their FS and ARMA3 operations.  This marks the end of a great conract and partnership for Southern Charter.

As a result of this we will be assisting in the repatriation of deployed IDAP assets, including not only those in the current Kosovo deployment, but teams in Somalia and Mexico. Updated schedules will be posted on the Operations Page, and FSHub's achievements page shortly.  SCX's vessels are currently inbound for Durres to uplift equipment and personnel, before stopping at Bari then heading back to Texas.

The partnership with IDAP has been valuable for SCX, taking us to some out-of-the-normal destinations over the past year.  The management team are working with a few other Virtual Organisations with an eye to securing some similar 'support' contracts.

SCX Freighter heading for Kosovo

WRC24 Sweden takes off

 

WRC24 round 2 - Sweden officially kicks off tomorrow.  SCX has delivered people and equipment to support the team in time for the shakedown prior to the official start.

SCX is supporting the team with crew transport around the various stages of the rally.  The SCX crew van is really out of it's element in the icy conditions of Sweden, but is doing good work ferrying people to and from the hotel.

V8 Rear-wheel-drive vans are not idelly suited to Swedish winter roads

At the hotel after a busy, cold day of pre-rally shakedown

Sad news in the Virtual Sailor Community

This sad news appeared on Facebook over the weekend.  Ilan was the developer of Virtual Sailor, starting in 1999 and evolving into one of the best, most mod-able sailing simulators available.  The loss to the VS community is immense, with many of us having had personal contact with Ilan over the past twenty plus years. Ilan will be missed.

On a personal note, I spoke with Ilan many, many years ago when I was having trouble with registration of a very early version of Virtual Sailor.   You will be missed Ilan, rest in peace.

Kosovo Operation sets new record for SCX!

Contract 63X has set a record for the variety of simulations involved in the operation.  Here are some screenshots of the mission in full swing

We moved people and equipment by land, sea, and air in (at least) 6 different sims, with only Rail not represented!  If SCIS (Southern Charter International Security) gets involved we can add at least one more sim to the list!

WRC'24 Team Partnership

 Just prior to the WRC Rally of Monte Carlo SCX picked up a last-minute contract to move people and equipment to the start of the open round of the chapionship.  
Southern Charter's ability to react quickly meant that not only did we achieve the customers goal, but we impressed them so much that they have extended the contract to cover the complete WRC season.  To this end we are adding Airline Achievements, under Contract 65 for each round, as the time comes, given that each round has time constraints.  There will be a multi-leg achievement, which will award those who complete all legs.
SCX Trucking will be adding outsize-load capability for rounds in Europe.  Assignments are available to SCX drivers via the Trucksbook Dispatcher.

WRC Round 1 - Monte Carlo!

SCX 737NG Freighter arrives in in Sweden for Round 2

Contract 63X Webpage updated

 The SCX Operations page has been updated, with further details of contract 63X, our logisitic support mission in Kosovo.

Visit the Contract 63X Briefing Page

The scope of this contract is much broader than any we have previously undertaken, with Air Land and Sea assets involved, as well as (for the first time) Southern Charter International Security (SCIS) who will be providing security for our operations in Albania and Kosovo.

SCIS on patrol

SCX's Kosovo Logistic Support Mission goes into High Gear

Our contract with IDAP’s Kosovo mission is about to move into high gear.  Till now the mission has been borne entirely by SCX Shipping, with both of our vessels loaded with cargo heading to Bari in Italy.

The MV Moana Roa arrived off Bari on January 7th, waiting at anchor for a spot to tie up finally pulling alongide early morning of the 8th.  MV John Matchett arrived during the night of the 9th after a very quick transit of the Mediterranean.

MV John Matchett makes short work of the Mediteranean tranist

MV Moana Roa alongside in Bari, Italy

With both vessels in port they have begun discharging their cargoes, which will be split for either road or air transport to IDAP’s operating base in Kosovo. New achievements, charters and company routes for this contract will be posted in the next few days.  

Moana Roa's crew head to the hotel after a challenging at-sea period!

The Euro Truck guys can also expect some custom jobs via Trucksbook.  If you don’t have the Balkans expansion for ETS2, I recommend it, the scenery is quite spectacular, and it’s probably on sale at Steam.

M.V. Moana Roa's Happy Ending: Safe Arrival in Djibouti After Freak Accident at Sea

Date: December 27th 2023

In a remarkable turn of events, the missing vessel M.V. Moana Roa has been found safe and sound in the port of Djibouti, concluding the suspenseful search. The vessel's disappearance was attributed to a freak accident at sea, where a lightning strike rendered its radio, satellite navigation, and communication equipment non-functional.

Captain Michael Rice, drawing upon his extensive experience at sea, alongside his equally qualified navigator, successfully navigated the Moana Roa to Djibouti for necessary repairs. Faced with the inability to communicate and fearing the persistent threat of piracy off the Somali Coast, Captain Rice strategically guided the vessel further off-shore, deep into the Indian Ocean.

Opting for a route that led them to the relative safety of the Gulf of Aden, Captain Rice skillfully charted a course that ultimately brought the Moana Roa to the port of Djibouti. The vessel's crew, families, and the maritime community at large are celebrating this happy ending to what initially appeared to be a potentially dire situation.

The incident underscores the resilience and expertise of seafarers in navigating unforeseen challenges, showcasing the crucial role experience plays in maritime safety. The Moana Roa will undergo repairs in Djibouti before resuming its mission in support of IDAP's humanitarian efforts.

Captain Michael Rice, Master of the Moana Roa (file photo)

SCX fleet skins for BeamNG

 SCX has entered the BeamNG world with some very basic skins and configs for the Gavril H Series Vans.  So far these cover the standard delivery van, Box Truck and for moving our crew around in a little comfort the SCX Crew Bus.

SCX Basic Delivery Van

SCX Box Truck

SCX Crew Bus

Simple modding for BeamNG is relatively easy, skins in particular are very straightforward.  Next mod developments are to define custom [SCX] branded spawn locations, then some 'Missions' for the new SCX fleet.  Initial missions and spawn locations will be using the stock 'Italy' map, in support of our deployment to Bari in Italy.