Halifax Shipping News

Ferry Found for Yarmouth - the Cat is Back

2016-03-24T10:31:00.005-03:00

The Cat Is back!
The new Yarmouth ferry service will Start June 15th, and feature a return to Bay ferries operation and a high speed catamaran . The province has reached a 10-year agreement with Bay Ferries Limited to manage and operate a high-speed ferry between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine. The 2016 season schedule is anticipated to run June 15 to Sept. 30, departing Yarmouth and Portland daily at 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively and returning to Yarmouth at 9 p.m.

Government will provide annual funding for the ferry service, including marketing, at $10.2 million for the first season and $9.4 million for the second. There will also be $4.1 million for start-up costs that will include terminal upgrades and $9 million towards the ferry's retrofit, in lieu of two years of charter fees.

This catamaran has a different hull form from the previous cats. The vessel itself is very similar to the hull form used by the US Navy in its Spearhead class of Joint High-Speed Vessels. The vessel is rumored to be the former Hawaiian Super ferry Alakai.

Built in 2007, she ran for over a year before court cases surrounding an environmental review of the ferry service caused the service to be suspended in 2009, the company went bankrupt, and the 2 ferries became the property of the US Federal government who help finance their construction. She was auctioned off by the court in 2010 for $25 million, and purchased by the US Maritime Administration. The US Navy acquired the boat in 2012, her sister going into service in the pacific, but Alakai was renamed USNS Puerto Rico and laid up in Philadelphia.

The new service is Yarmouth-based, leaving Yarmouth in the morning, travelling to Portland, and returning to Nova Scotia that evening. It will increase overnight stays in the region and provide an economic boost to Nova Scotia businesses.

It will reduce the travel time in half and eliminate the need for vessel cabins and additional onboard staff. It will also be quicker than driving between Portland and Nova Scotia.

Original:
News conference is Booked for 1 PM with the Nova Scotia transportation minister and the president of Bay ferries.

Panama Canal Expansion opens June 26th

2016-03-23T12:54:00.000-03:00

Mark your calendars, the Panama Canal Expansion opens on June 26th. this will likely cause shipping lines to shift their vessels, and routes - especially with recent mergers and Takeovers.

Mexican Navy Tall Ship ARM Cuauhtemoc Due in May

2016-03-21T09:11:00.003-03:00

Word is the Mexican Navy tall ship ARM Cuauhtemoc is due for a port visit in May.
She was her once before in 2008. (Will post photo when i locate it)

She is the last of four sister ships (the other 3 being Colombia's Gloria, Ecuador's Guayas and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar) built by the Naval Shipyards of Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, all built to a design similar to the 1930 designs of the German firm Blohm & Voss, like German navy tall ship Gorch Fock and her sister USCGC Eagle.

More to follow.

Stena Icemax Now 24nm Off Halifax

2016-03-17T10:11:00.001-03:00

The Stena Icemax has now moved to a position about 24 Nautical miles off Halifax Harbour.
It is unlikely she will actually enter Halifax, but the new position makes supply runs much shorter.

She is the Blue Square in the Bottom Right corner of the Chart.

The Stena Icemax Lost her Riser when it disconnected in a storm Earlier this Month. They are now likely in the process of preparing to recover it.

Overseas Jademar Tops up Tufts Cove

2016-03-16T10:30:00.001-03:00

Another vessel that sailed last night, Overseas Jademar spent 2 days offloading into Tufts cove tank.
The Power Plant can burn both heavy oil and Natural Gas, and will see a tanker once a year or so.

Built in 2002, Overseas Jademar is a Panamax tanker. Noteably she failed a port state control inspection in Washington State last year, due to faulty fire fighting equipment. She was allowed to sail once repairs were made.

Meta for ACL

2016-03-16T10:16:00.000-03:00

The 2001 built 2732teu Meta made her second call in Halifax for ACL. Her first was March 6 on her Westbound Leg. She Sailed last night for Liverpool.

ACL is using Conventional Containerships to bridge the Gap between the Retirement of the G3 vessels and the service entry of the New G4 vessels.

ACL Renews Contract to 2022 - Projects Doubling Volumes

2016-03-10T14:16:00.002-04:00

Atlantic Container Line (ACL) has decided to maintain its twice weekly call at Halifax with its new G4 RORO/Containerships. ACL will continue to serve the North American and European markets at the Fairview Cove Container Terminal of Ceres Halifax Inc. ACL and Ceres have signed a new contract that runs through 2022.

Andrew Abbott, President/CEO of Atlantic Container Line commented, “We value our long-term working relationships with the Halifax Port Authority and Ceres. We looked long and hard at various schedule alternatives for our new ships. Some excluded Halifax. But we just could not ignore the close cooperation and support of the HPA and Ceres that removed every obstacle to a long-term agreement. The quality improvements to the CN Rail service and the consistent cooperation of our ILA colleagues were also influential factors in our decision. As a result of this, all the stakeholders of the port will benefit, as ACL volume via Halifax will eventually double as all of our new ships enter service. ACL looks forward to a long future in Halifax with our large, new, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly G4 vessels. The Port of Halifax will now remain our largest port in North America, and our gateway for Canada and the US Midwest.”

“ACL has been a very important partner throughout the years,” said Calvin Whidden, President, Ceres Halifax Inc. “With the signing of this new agreement, we will now focus on working together to grow cargo volume.” “This is very positive news for all of the key players involved in reaching
this new contract,” said Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority. “We offer our
congratulations to ACL and Ceres-Halifax, and would like to acknowledge the level of commitment shown by CN Rail throughout this process. We look forward to continuing to welcome the next generation of ACL vessels to the Port of Halifax.”

Atlantic Container Line has been continuously calling the Port of Halifax since 1970 following the inaugural call of the ACL G1 vessel Atlantic Starin 1969.In January of this year, the Port of Halifax welcomed the newest Atlantic Star which is the first of the five new G-4 ACL CONRO vessels, and was named by a ACL Halifax Staffer.

Algoma Value Tops up the Tanks

2016-03-08T09:08:00.002-04:00

Algoma Value spent yesterday at anchor taking bunkers. Recently purchased by Algoma from the Torvald Klaveness Group of Oslo, as part of a 4 ship sale, she is the Ex Baldock.

Baldock was an infrequent visitor to Halifax, Last stopping here for bunkers in August 2011.
The Ship continues to trade in the CSL International Pool.

Stenna Icemax Looses Drilling Riser

2016-03-07T16:26:00.001-04:00

CBC News is reporting that the Stenna Icemax, drilling for shell, disconnected from and lost the drilling riser over the weekend. It is now lying on the seabed.

In anticipation of bad weather, all drilling fluids were stopped, the drill pipe removed, and the blowout preventer on the seafloor secured. The riser is the pipe that is used to control the Blow out preventer, Supply drilling mud, and contains the drill bit. It will disconnect form the drill ship if conditions get to rough, as it acts like a fixed tether to the ship.

The Stenna Icemax is currently drilling a well names Cheshire L-97. To date she has reached a depth of 6,669.09m, with a projected final dell depth of 7,532m. The water depth is 2,143.02m. weekly status reports indicate no progress was made on the well for 3 weeks in January - the reasons for this are not known.

Atlantic Towing's New PSV's

2016-03-04T15:11:00.004-04:00

Photo From Maasmond Maritime Daily News Clippings February 28th.

Clipper Macau - More Cement Plant.

2016-03-03T12:45:00.000-04:00

Clipper Macau, Currently sits at anchor in the Basin, after unloading the second load of a Cement plant. She Arrived at Pier 30 Febuary 29th, and moved to the basin Mach 1. The Hold Photo below was provided. Note the TweenDeck segments being removed

BBC Louisiana, who arrived on February 18, delivered the first load of the plant, which was built in china, and is bound for Quebec.

Bluenose to get a new Rudder

2016-03-03T11:08:00.001-04:00

The province is accepting recommendations from an engineering review of the steering system of Bluenose II. You can find the reports Online

The report recommends replacing the steel rudder with either a wooden rudder or a composite made of fiberglass with a carbon stock. Work is underway to design a new rudder, including determining which is the better material to use. The 2016 sailing season will take place as scheduled with work on the rudder being done during the fall and winter.

The province has also resolved the outstanding delay claims with the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance with a settlement of five million dollars of which one-point-eight million had already been paid prior to the final settlement agreement. The settlement brings the total cost of the project to $23.8 million, which includes the cost of the steering system review.

The cost of the rudder is not expected to push the final total beyond the allocated capital budget of $25 million for the project.

Cruise Schedule is Out

2016-02-24T11:52:00.002-04:00

The 2016 cruise schedule is out. Looks to be another Good Year. Veendam Kicks things off April 30, and is back every 10 days or so. AidaMar wraps things up October 28.

Highlights include Eight inaugural calls.

Pacific Princess (June 2)
Norwegian Breakaway (June 29)
Anthem of the Seas (Sept 1)
Zuiderdam (Sept 5)
Europa 2 (Sept 22)
Seven Seas Mariner (Sept 22)
Azamara Quest (Sept 30)
Viking Star (October 9)

Anthem of the Seas is notable, as she (And her classmates) are the largest Cruise Ships in Existence. Carrying 4905 passengers + crew . Norwegian Breakaway also makes several appearances - her construction was the subject of a 2 part episode of Mighty Ships

There may be 2 more however - I have no record of Carnival Sunshine (Glory and Splendor have been the past carnival Ships) Appearing in Halifax also Serina Changed hands and was refurbished, She has previously called as Ocean Princess.

Disney Magic is back in the fall, after an inaugural run in 2014, and then not appearing in 2015.

Dutch Twins in Port today.

2016-02-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

Saturday brought the arrival of the General Cargo ship Singelgracht. She waited for Algoma Dartmouth to to return from Port Hawksbury for bunkers, topped up, and has remained at anchor since.

Last night brought the arrival of the Slotergracht to Pier 27. She is loaded with containers and a Fishing vessel on deck. (and presumably something else in her holds.

Both Vessels are part of Spliethoff's Fleet. The S Class Features three 120ton cranes - two (Aft and Midship) to the Port Side and the Forward one to Starboard. and 5 Side loading Elevators, Which stick up on the port side, and allow the holds to be loaded without opening the hatch covers - which is useful for loading products like paper that must remain dry.

Zim Shanghai to Pier 41

2016-02-24T08:52:00.001-04:00

Zim Shanghai arrived this morning for Pier 41. She is a regular caller in Halifax.

SPS Patiño - the Interm Interm AOR

2016-02-12T09:07:00.000-04:00

This morning brought the arrival of SPS Patiño, a Spanish replenishment ship. She is on loan to the RCN, to allow the continued training of crews with Replenishment at Sea Duties.

She has the Distinction of having been attacked by Pirates in 2012

Photo above by @darceymckay on Twitter.

Palmerton to Pier 9

2016-02-10T15:45:00.001-04:00

Combi-lifts ship Palmerton tied up at pier 9 Last Night. Part of Combi-Lift's CL900 class each crane is rated to 450tons, or 900tons combined lifting power. She is also Ice Class E3. Built by the Kouan Shipyard in China she and her 6 classmates were built between 2009-2010 (She is First of Class)

No word on what she's offloading, though its likely some sort of project cargo.

Primus for Melfi

2016-02-08T15:05:00.001-04:00

Today's one arrival Primus at pier 42. She is due to sail this afternoon.

CMA-CGM Titus

2016-02-07T17:21:00.001-04:00

CMA-CGM Titus arrived around noon at pier 41 and is expected to sail later tonight.

M/V Arrow Oil Spill circa 1970

2016-02-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

ARROW was an enlarged version of the standard American wartime tanker design. She was one of the oldest tankers in the fleet of Aristotle Onassis, owned by the holding company Sunstone Marine Panama. At only 11379 Tons, she is about the size of AlgoCanada, one of the many products tankers that frequent Halifax.

On February 4, 1970 ARROW was approaching Port Hawkesbury under charter to Imperial Oil Limited and just about to complete a voyage from Aruba. She was carrying 10 million litres of Bunker "C" oil bound for a paper company near Point Tupper. Entering Chedabucto Bay, the tanker encountered severe weather and gale force winds. She ran aground on Cerberus Rock, a well-known navigational hazard that lies in wait just below the surface of the bay. While it initially appeared that there was no threat of fuel leakage, the heavy weather continued to pound the stricken tanker.

Imperial Oil issued an oil spill alert and the crew were evacuated. By the next day, an oil slick one mile long had formed and on the 8th, the ship finally split in two, with the stern sinking in deeper water. Attempts to take off the cargo were not successful nor were the attempts to recover her stern. In all, about 10,330 tons of fuel were spilled, coating 75 miles of the shoreline with thick black sludge threatening wildlife and the fishery.

Shore cleanup was a long difficult process as was the transfer of what was left of the oil aboard ARROW to the barge, IRVING WHALE (Ironically the IRVING WHALE became an another environmental concern a few months later when she sank off Prince Edward Island with oil and PCBs which had to be recovered in 1996.) The final retrieval of oil from the ARROW wreck was completed on April 11 and pioneered many clean-up techniques used in later tanker disasters.

First AOPS off to a Good Start at Shipyard.

2016-01-29T13:37:00.001-04:00

Global News Today Showed the following Images from Irving Shipbuilding of the First AOPS Under Construction.

Noon Hour Traffic

2016-01-28T20:29:00.003-04:00

NYK Rumina inbound for Fairview Cove. She met Maersk Cutter (Below) sailing from Pier 9 outside the narrows.

BBC Haren

2016-01-28T18:56:00.001-04:00

Jones Tide returns

2016-01-27T12:51:00.001-04:00

I finally caught one of these suppliers up close and not tied up at the pier.

Ningbo Express

2016-01-27T12:47:00.001-04:00

Ningbo Express took the Western Channel through the inner harbour, as the Skogafoss was outbound from Pier 42.