Built in 1982 in Brazil and christened MV Gulf Grain, she sailed as a bulk carrier under various names and flags until she was acquired to be converted 2009 into a Powership in Turkey.

She was built by the Ishibras Shipyard of Verolme Estaleiros Reunidos do Brasil at Angra dos Reis, Brazil as a bulk carrier in November 1982.

The eight-cylinder diesel engines of Type K8 SZ 70/150CL manufactured by Mecânica Pesada Sao Paulo in Brazil give a total power of 17,960 hp (13,390 kW) propelling the vessel at 14.0 knots (25.9 km/h; 16.1 mph).

[1][6] In August 2010, the Powership with 179 MW generation power set sail to Basra, Iraq to bridge electricity shortage for about one million people in and around Az Zubayr.

[7] In April 2018, Karpowership signed a contract with Sudanese Thermal Power Generating Company (STPGC) to supply 150 MW to Sudan for 12 months.