Ellerman City Liners were proud to welcome artist and researcher Zoe Childerley aboard the MV Nova for her first-ever containership voyage – a journey from Tilbury, UK to Gdynia, Poland, as part of a collaborative research project between the National Maritime Museum and the University of Brighton, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The PHD project explores the lived experiences of contemporary seafarers, bringing their stories to light through photography, film, and first-hand testimony. For Zoe, who described herself as “an islander who had never been to sea,” the voyage offered an extraordinary glimpse into a world that sustains daily life for millions yet remains largely unseen.

“It’s easy to forget that over 90% of everything we buy arrives by sea. Spending a week aboard MV Nova opened my eyes to the people, skill, and teamwork behind global trade,” Zoe said.

Navigating Storm Amy

Upon arriving at Tilbury, Zoe was met with concerned looks as she learned of Storm Amy’s imminent arrival. Fortunately, Captain Kevin Friess, a seasoned seafarer, guided the Nova safely by hugging the coast and taking the scenic yet strategic route through the Kiel Canal – a 61-mile link between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Life On Board MV Nova

While MV Nova may be small by containership standards – carrying just under 1,000 TEUs compared to the 24,000+ TEU giants – the ship’s 14-person crew made a lasting impression. The team included six German and Ukrainian officers, and eight Filipino ratings, including Chief Cook Reynaldo, whose culinary talents kept spirits high throughout the voyage.

From her cabin’s porthole window, Zoe captured the mesmerizing rhythm of cargo operations in Gdynia – cranes sweeping in precise arcs, containers rising and falling in a mechanical dance that reflected the patience and precision of maritime trade.

The Heartbeat of the Ship

Life aboard the Nova is underscored by the constant hum of the engine room, a vast, resonant space filled with the thrum of machinery and the quiet focus of engineers tending to the vessel’s beating heart.

Among those engineers was Second Engineer Tina Herm, one of the very few women at sea – only 1% of the world’s seafarers are female. Tina, pictured both at work and demonstrating her boxing skills in the evening, was also mentoring cadet Mauritz during the voyage.

Stories from the Sea

Over the week, Zoe interviewed every member of the crew – from April Boy Bacog and Jessie Abdon Perez, both Ordinary Seamen, to Second Mate Denys Novosad and Lucito Bautista Angusto, who waved her off upon her return to Tilbury.

Each shared stories of adventure, resilience, and camaraderie – the human side of shipping that often goes unseen but remains essential to global trade.

Celebrating the People Behind Every Voyage

At Ellerman City Liners, we are honoured to have supported Zoe’s voyage and this important piece of work that shines a light on the people who make global trade possible.

“It’s been a privilege to welcome Zoe aboard MV Nova and to help share the real stories of life at sea,” said Kenneth Rohbach Director – Business Development. “Her PHD project beautifully captures the dedication and teamwork that drive every voyage.”

You can read Zoe’s full reflection on her voyage and see more of her photography via the National Maritime Museum and University of Brighton websites.

Get in touch with our experts to discover smarter, faster, and more sustainable short sea solutions:

UK: UK_sales@ellermanlines.com
Poland: PL_sales@ellermanlines.com
Spain: ES_sales@ellerman.com
Portugal: PT_sales@ellermanlines.com

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