Halifax Shipping News

Spruceglen

2012-01-28T21:05:00.001-04:00

Canada Steamship Lines vessel Spruceglen on trials in the basin after a Maintenance period which included ~~being re-flagged to Canada and~~ being re-painted in csl's domestic scheme, which is why she looks so clean

USCG Dependable Departs

2012-01-28T20:34:00.000-04:00

USCG Dependable departed after a short visit today, just after 1400. Here she is passing Chubucto Head having just dropped off the Pilot.

USCG Dependable

2012-01-26T12:51:00.001-04:00

USCG Dependable Arrived this morning for a visit, and tied up at NB4, leaving the dock in the way.
She is likely here to help commemorate the 50th Annivarsary of the Canadian Coast Guard which was formed on January 26th 1962.

The Canadian Coast Guard officially came into existence, when the Honourable Leon Balcer, Minister of Transport in the government of Mr. John Diefenbaker, rose in the House of Commons and announced that the government had decided that the Department of Transport fleet of ships would, in the future, be known as the Canadian Coast Guard.

Find out more at http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/50th_Anniversary

Smokey

2012-01-23T09:12:00.000-04:00

The Tug SCOTT TURECAMO with barge NEW HAMPSHIRE at anchor this morning, surrounded by sea smoke.

Spies!

2012-01-16T22:17:00.003-04:00

CBC news is reporting that a naval intelligence officer was arrested for disclosing information to foreign entities. Lt.Jeffrey Paul Delisle is reportededly tasked with monitoring shipping movements in the North Atlantic, and is based HMCS Trinity, which is housed within the Halifax Dockyard.

The navy monitors shipping movements in and out of Canadian Waters. This is done both via satellite and via P3 Auora aircraft. Vessels entering Canadian waters are required to report 24 hours in advance. This maritime surveillance can detect illegal dumping and fishing, as well as smugglers.

Update: speculation. Reports suggest that the information was leaked to the Russians. According to Wikipedia, one of the functions that was transferred to HMCS Trinity was the operation of the sub sea surveillance network, which was jointly developed with the US Navy during the cold war to detect foreign submarines. It was operated from CFS Shelburne, which closed in 1995.

Since the network can detect submarine movements, and it was jointly developed with the US Navy, presumably Canadian naval intelligence knows the positions of US Navy, and Possibly British submarines in the North Atlantic - which would certainly be of interest to the Russians.

MCP Troodos and Onego Chinook

2012-01-12T12:02:00.002-04:00

Onego Chinook, currently anchored in the basin, looks an awful lot like MCP Troddos currently at anchor in the inner harbour. this is because they are twins. Both vessels wre built in 2007 by Huanghai Shipbuilding in Rongcheng, China and are managed by Intership Navigation of Cyprus. Onego Chinook was MCP Nicosia until Febuary 2011.

MCP Troodos (ABOVE) is apparently waiting for work, having last departed Trois Rivers Dec 24th. Onego Chinook is Due to dock at pier 27, likely with a load of rail for CN.

Updated now that the weather has allowed me to get a picture of Onego Chinook.

Mirrored Image?

2012-01-09T12:59:00.000-04:00

Atlantic Compass passes Atlantic Cartier, while heading outbound. Atlantic Cartier was required to wait for compass to clear the narrows.

2 additional new vessels on PAX Service

2012-01-01T21:24:00.000-04:00

OOCL Shanghai, Currently at anchor in the outer anchorage, is due tomorrow for Fairview. She is a new vessel server the the OOCL/Hapag-llyod Pacific East Coast Express service. Other recent additions were covered in a December Post.

Probably the most exciting news is that Halifax Express will Call in Halifax for the first time, March 19. I believe this will be a newly chartered vessel as i can find no record of her currently.

2011 year in review

2012-01-01T14:57:00.002-04:00

By far the most popular post of 2011 was Caribou and Smallwood on the Beach in Alang with over 700 direct views since it was posted Nov 1st. Since the blog allows full posts to be to be read without clicking on them many more have read it I'm sure. This only shows the affection these ferries that people have. These to ships stopped for bunkers in August as their last Canadian stop before heading overseas.

In the offshore field, 2011 saw the departures of the platforms PSS Chumul and Rowan Gorilla 3, and the arrival in December of the GSF Grand Banks. Several support vessels from the deep panuke project also made appearances. These Platform posts were also among the most popular - likely because of the unbelievable size of the vessels.

In navy news, HMCS Charlettown departed In March and returned in September from the mediterainian becoming the first Canadian warship to engage an enemy and exchange fire since the Korean war. HMCS preserver also came out of refit, and collided with the Nova Dock a few days latter. Visitors included several US , Icelandic and French Coast Guard, British and American nuclear submarines, British Destroyer, USNS Wright, and a rare east coast visit by the Japanese defence force.

In port traffic, 2011 Saw the start of the American Feeder Lines service, the halfing of Zim's service and the cancelation of the green alliances service. Cruise traffic picked up again despite several weather cancelations.

Halifax Shipyards was selected as the winner of the Federal Shipbuilding Procurement strategy, Began the Midlife refits on the the Halifax Class Frigates and Unveiled the first Hero class Mid Shore Patrol Vessel.

The port continued various improvements, with work at Pier 41/42 and 9..
And the regulars came and went..

Last of 2011 first of 2012

2012-01-01T13:20:00.001-04:00

The last departure of 2011 was the London Express. The last arrival was the Thailand Express who spent the night. Since the port is closed today, She will likely commence cargo operations Tomorrow. The first arrival of 2012 was Halifax regular Atlantic Condor.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T17:01:00.000-04:00

Thanks for making 2011 the best year yet for Halifax Shipping News. 2012 will be even better.
Stay tuned!

Mississipiborg Grounded Twice in Pictou

2011-12-29T19:42:00.000-04:00

Shipwrecks Log is reporting:

The 135 meter long, 8950 dwt container ship Mississipiborg went aground at Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mississipiborg was attempting to leave port laden with kraft paper at low tide in strong crosswind when it became stuck in the silt and sand. The vessel was refloated two hours later on the incoming tide and returned to harbour where it turned around before attempting to leave port again. On the second attempt, the Mississipiborg went aground again a short distance beyond the spot of the first grounding. The vessel remained aground until the high tide where the Mississipiborg was refloated and departed. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.

I will See if I can find photos of the incident.

Tarago

2011-12-29T15:21:00.000-04:00

PCTC Tarago turning prior to backing into Autoport. This was her first visit to Halifax. Tarago is a town in NSW Australia. She was built in 2000, and is owned by Wilhelmsen Lines, Which is why she is red in Colour, as opposed to the majority of Wallenus Wilhelmsen Lines Vessels which call, that are green in Colour.

This photo was sent to me by Jamie. If you have photos you want to share, Post them to our facebook wall @ www.facebook.com/halifaxshippingnews

New Vessels On Hapag Lloyd PAX Service

2011-12-28T11:02:00.001-04:00

Looks like Hapag Lloyd has rotated a couple of vessels calling on Halifax.
Today Marks a first time appearance for Rio De Jenaro Express. Lacking the Distinctive Hapag Lloyd markings, she is a relatively new charter from Seaspan.

Another New Vessel scheduled to appear on the run is the Pusan. Its an odd name, since it appears to be lacking the Express part of her name. A Quick search shows she began her life as Pusan Senator, and as of March 2011 was operating as MSC Kenya. She is Due Feb 20. - By this time she may acquire an "express" name

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.001-04:00

and a Happy New Year.

Snow

2011-12-23T13:37:00.000-04:00

Just in time to give us a white Christmas. The port is closed as of noon tomorrow, so Maresk Penang arrived today, instead of the routes normal Saturday stop.

Home For Christmas

2011-12-20T13:16:00.000-04:00

CCGS Earl Grey returned to Halifax on the 19th. She was previously undergoing a period of work, including Hull Painting at Shelburne Ship repair.

Shelburne Ship Repair was taken over By Irving shipbuilding, and underwent several Upgrades to accommodate larger vessels. Earl grey was one of the First vessels to be serviced at the newly refurbished yard.

More Traffic For Pier 9

2011-12-20T13:08:00.000-04:00

CSL Spirit tied up at pier 9a this morning. This is likely a brief lay up period, before she sails to replace Atlantic Superior at work at Sept-Iles on shuttle service, running iron ore from the pier to larger ships anchored in the bay.

As reported at Shipfax in November, Atlantic Superior will be sailing for Halifax for Hull Work - Probably scheduled after the departure of the Louis St Laurent from the Nova Dock.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2011-12-19T22:04:00.000-04:00

CCGS Alfred Needler Looking festive. CCGS Hudson also featured Red and Green Lights, and Several ships at the Dockyard are well lit.

Universal Amsterdam

2011-12-17T13:55:00.001-04:00

M/V Universal Amsterdam, a 22000DWT bulk carrier, Arrived fro bunkers Yesterday evening and departed overnight. A relatively new vessel, she was launched on 13th January 2009 and delivered Dutch owners Universal Marine in March 2009.

She is A Self Unloader, however this is done via Crane and Clambshell Bucket, And Difers form the self unloaders typically seen at National Gypsum, which feature unloading booms and conveyor belts.

Busy Day for Pier 9

2011-12-13T10:11:00.001-04:00

The Normally quiet Pier 9 has a Busy day today with 2 arrivals.

Jumbo Shipping's Heavy Lift Ship Daniella is due to load Steam Turbine Components. Both ISI's Components, and Jumbo Shipping are regular callers in Halifax - Though lately heavy lift operations Have been occurring At Halterm - Including the Locomotive shipments, which occurred at Pier 9 in Previous years.

The Chemical Products Tanker Sakarya is also Due at Pier 9 this afternoon. Wilson's Fuels has a Spout there to offload to their tank farm on Barrington Street.

GSF Grand Banks for Repairs

2011-12-10T19:03:00.004-04:00

The Drill rig GSF Grand Banks Towed by Atlantic Hawk and Maersk Chancellor is due at the pilot station at 0800 Dec 11. She is bound for Woodside for Repairs. Maersk Detector damaged the rig in late November when she struck her off Newfoundland.

She was built as Bow valley 3 For Husky Energy, by St. John Shipbuilding. She is currently Owned By Transocean, and is Drilling in Huskey Energy's White Rose Field. Since the incident, a Scheduled work period for January was moved forward.

GSF Grand Banks

Maresk Chancellor

Atlantic Hawk

Updated Images

HMCS Kingston, Back To work

2011-12-08T09:20:00.001-04:00

After a period of layup and then maintenance, HMCS Kingston sailed yesterday presumably for some trials. She spent a portion of the last night anchored in the Basin. The 12 Kingston Class vessels were built as Minesweepers, But also excel as Survey and diving platforms - Their main issue is their slow speed - about 15 knots, which is required for mine-sweeping, but limits their usefulness in other duties.

As A result, a Proposed mid life refit was shelved, and the MCDV's will likely have a shorter then normal life. MCDV Refers to their designation as Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels.

Its Wet Out.

2011-12-08T09:13:00.002-04:00

Atlantic Condor Riding out the storm at anchor. Algoma Dartmouth Tied up at Pier9, to be more protected.

Wind south 40 knots with gusts to 50 in the Approaches. Wind becoming west 45 near noon with gusts to 55 then diminishing to 35 early this evening. Wind diminishing to Northwesterly 20 after midnight A few showers ending near noon.

Live Tweeting the Halifax Explosion

2011-12-05T13:46:00.001-04:00

Live tweeting is such an awkward term for tweeting events that happened 94 years ago, but I suppose it is less awkward then Historical re-enactment Tweeting..

If you Follow @hfxshippingnews on twitter, you will see I am live tweeting the Halifax explosion. A tweet will occur at the same time key events took place, 94 years ago to the minute.

We all know the story of the Halifax explosion. The Mont-Blanc Laden with explosives, collides with the Imo in the narrows. The Mont-Blanc catches fire, explodes, and flattens the north end, killing two thousand people. What most people don't realize, or appreciate is that every incident has a timeline, and that the players in this incident are already in motion. Your Morning routine is much the same as it would have been in 1917.

Today, vessels are at anchor, and there are expected arrivals and departures, for the most part, residents of Halifax pay no attention. They will get up tomorrow morning, go through the morning routine, send the kids to school, and go off to work. As the tweets come in, you can experience, 94 years later, how your ordinary day, became extraordinary.

Update:
I See @ns_archives will also be doing this with the tag #hfxexplosion