Big Bulker for the Basin

     A big bulk carrier arrived this afternoon, September 28, and headed straight through to an anchorage in Bedford Basin.

The Ireland was built in 2018 by Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co Ltd and is a 45,307 gt, 66,439 dwt self-unloader. Built to carry aggregates, it can unload at a rate of 4500 tonnes per hour, using its own built-in gravity fed conveyor system.

The ship operates for Vulica Shipping Co Ltd, the wholly owned subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company, the largest aggregate producers in the Unites States. The parent company is based in Birmingham, AB and was owned and operated by members of the Ireland family. The shipping operations are managed in Stafford, TX, near Houston.

The Vulica ships primarily load aggregate at the Punta Venado terminal in Mexico and deliver to Vulcan's various concrete, asphalt and other operations in the eastern US.  The company also uses ships from the CSL Americas self-unloader pool, and it is possible that the CSL may use Vulica ships. The Ireland's last port was Belledune, NB, where it likely delivered a cargo of coal. Oddly, CSL's ship, the Baie St.Paul, just passed Halifax after delivering a cargo - likely aggregates - to Bayside, NB - well outside its normal range too.

Ireland's arrival is the second bulk carrier to anchor in Bedford Basin. The propellor-less AP Revelin remains at anchor (see previous post).

 The tug Ezra Sol did not depart for sea as previously reported, but instead is tied up at Pier 9C. All three vessels may be awaiting weather developments as Hurricane Hugo Humberto makes its way toward the eastern seaboard.

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