Sunday arrivals - through thick and thin

The long awaited arrival of the semi-submersible barge for Halifax Shipyard finally took place this morning. Boabarge 37 arrived in tow of the tug Boa Bison (see Tugfax). It was originally expected on April 17 but the tow met with some extremely heavy weather and was battling head winds for many days. However once clear of the bad weather it made good time (for a tow).

In drizzly gray weather, the pilots disembark from the tug Boa Bison to board the Boabarge 37 for its inbound passage to Halifax Shipyard.

The barge has been hired to float out the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) from their building berth at Halifax Shipyard. Last week the shipyard made application for coasting licenses to use the Norwegian flagged barge in Canadian waters. They explained in the application that each AOPS will be moved onto the barge using Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) with 232 axle lines and six power packs. The ship plus its temporary cradles and the SPMTs will weigh 7,129.5 tonnes. Once aboard the barge, the SPMTs will move off leaving the ship on its cradles. The barge will then be moved by tugs to Bedford Basin where the it will be submerged and the ship floated off. The first float off for AOPS #1 Harry DeWolf will take place in September.

Harbour tugs Atlantic Willow and Atlantic Oak take charge of the barge in the Narrows, and dock it a Pier 6

 

In the meantime the barge will also be used to transport modules from the Woodside fabrication shop to the shipyard. These modules are components for the next ships in the production line, and will weigh from 13 tonnes to 60 tonnes.

After several days without tanker activity Imperial Oil has now received two tankers in two days.
Yesterday (in even thicker fog and heavier rain) Conti Agulhas arrived from Port Neches, TX and tied up at dock #4.

 Conti Agulhas sports a spotless red hull.

A Handyszie tanker of 23,403 grt, 37,606 dwt it was built by Hyundai Mipo, Ulsan in 2008. Owners CONTI Group of Munich (but with operations in Hamburg), registered the ship in Liberia.

This afternoon, in bright sunshine, a slightly larger ship, of the the Mid-Range class, High Voyager, arrived at number 3 dock from Paldiski, Estonia.

Tugs push High Voyager alongside at number 3 dock.

Also built by Hyundai Mipo, Ulsan, but in 2014, it comes in at 29,935 grt, 45,999 dwt and flies the Maltese flag for d'Amico Tankers DAC of Italy.

There were some developments at Pier 9B where yesterday's arrival, Nore, while still flying the flag of Malta, is now nameless, in anticipation of a good painting day - perhaps as early as tomorrow - to apply its new name and port of registry.

Making a 180 turn and facing south, the Algoma Dartmouth was bunkering the tug Boa Bison. The Halifax based tanker is virtually indistinguishable, except for hull colour, from the ex Nore.

.

Bunkering tanker Nore at Pier 9B

The Malta flag bunkering tanker Nore arrived (in dense fog) at pier 9B today. A sister ship to the Halifax bunkering tanker Algoma Dartmouth and the Come-by-Chance tanker North Atlantic Kairos  it has apparently been acquired by Canadian owners.

 

By late afternoon the fog had cleared and rain stopped enough to get a "through the fence" look at Nore at Pier 9B. (That is Atlantic Condor at Pier 9C in the background.)

[ The only potential buyer for such a vessel that I can image is indeed North Atlantic Refining Ltd (NARL), owners of the Come-by-Chance refinery and a growing retail operation in Newfoundland and Labrador, now with 53 gas stations and 14 Orangestore locations. From its origins in 1973 the refinery has had five owners, with the latest taking over in September of last year. The new owners, Silver Range Partners LLC of New York acquired the business from Harvest Energy a subsidiary of the Korean National Oil Corp. NARL under Silver Range ownership is marketing its low sulphur products more widely, and its tanker North Atlantic Kairos was here twice in March with product for Wilson's Fuels. Although nominally a bunkering tanker, the ship can carry a a variety off fuels and is more than capable of short sea voyages.] 

The above was a wild guess, and apparently quite wrong.  Certainly no other east coast operator would be in the market for such a vessel, but I had forgotten that Canada also has a west coast! Word has reached me that it will be going to British Columbia -the first Canadian flag coastal tanker there in many years- and will be named AC AQUARIUS for as yet unidentified owners.

(Another Newfoundland operator, Coastal Shipping, part of the Woodward Group, has acquired tow tankers recently Icdas-09 and Icdas-11 are 13,097 grt, 19,984 dwt are ice class Turkish built by Icdas, Biga in 2010 and 2011 respectively. No new names have been announced yet. Coastal has rarely renamed their tankers after acquiring them from European owners, but perhaps they will make an exception in this case and chose some northern Canadian names that reflect the areas they will serve.)



Nore was built in 2007 in Tuzla, Turkey, with construction started by Dearsan Gemi and completed by Yardimci Gemi Insa SA. It measures 2999 grt and 3569 dwt. Built as Samistal, it was renamed CT Wexford in 2008 and from 2011 flew the Russian flag as RN Taurus. Early this year it was renamed Nore for Arsland Nore Ltd under Turkish management. [That the first three NOR appear in this name and in NARL can't be a coincidence.]  

Nore followed a similar trajectory to North Atlantic Kairos sailing from Tuzla, bunkering in Ceuta and arriving at Pier 9B. North Atlantic Kairos arrived as CT Wicklow (launched 2008 as Clipper Boca, 2985 grt, 3669 dwt) June 16, 2016 and was soon renamed and reflagged to Canada. I expect the same to happen with Nore.

.

Feast or Famine at Fairview Cove

Days go by with no ships at Cerescorp's Fairview Cove container terminal, then, as today, three ships show up.
At one point it was the rare sight of two ACL ships in ast the same time. Atlantic Sea was due to arrive last night, but the arrival was put off until this morning. Shortyl after Atlantic Sun arrived. The this afternoon Crete I arrived as  Atlantic Sea sailed. With Crete I being such a large ship, needing the large cranes, Atlantic Sun was relegated to the east berth, where it was able to use its RoRo ramp, but the small crane was still upright this evening, so it was not working containers.

Although the ACL ships have very large gross tonnage of 100,430, it was dwarfed by the Crete I. This is explained by the fact that the ACL has much greater internal enclosed space, which is counted as gross tons (one ton = 100 cubic feet). Its carrying capacity, indicated by deadweight tonnage, is 55,738 tonnes. Its hull dimesnions are 296m x 37.7m. The ship's width was dictated by the width of the lock it must pass through to berth in Liverpool

Crete I at 75,604 grt, has much less internal space, but a deadweight tonnage of 85,622 tonnes. Its dimensions are 304.12m x 40.05m. It was built in 2009 by Hyundai, Ulsan as Ilse Wulff, and carried the name Al Khor from 2009 to 2012 on charter with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC). It was renamed Ilse Wulff in 2012 and Crete I in 2016. With Hapag-Lloyd's takeover of UASC, the ship now works for H-L in THE Alliance. It has a capacity of 6300 TEU, including 460 reefers.

.

IT International Telcom lands Toronto project

IT International Telecom, with a marine base at Pier 9A in Halifax, has secured a contract to lay 80 km of fibre optic sub-sea cable between Toronto, ON and Wilson, NY. The company has applied for a coasting license to use their Barbados flagged ship IT Intrepid for the work.

The ship is fitted with all the tools required for the project including an ROV and Dynamic Positioning equipment. The project will be conducted in two stages. The first will be a pre-pay grapnel run over the projected route to clear the sea bottom of any obstructions. These could include old cables, fish gear or other debris.Once the route is cleared the cable will be laid in one simultaneous operation to plow, lay and bury the cable one meter into the lake bottom.
The ship is expected to be in  Canadian waters for only four days in total, but the application for a coasting license covers the period July 15 to August 15, 2018.
A full description of the ship's capabilities and the cable laying operation is contained in application number 18-0230 by P.F.Collins Customs Brokers, to the Canadian Transportation Agency found at:
https://forms.otc-cta.gc.ca/maritime-marine/attach_eng.cfm?id=244680&seq=1

IT Intrepid is a frequent caller in Halifax and was in port from late last year to January 8 of this year for self-maintenance. It was built by Swan Hunter in Wallsend, UK in 1989 as Sir Eric Sharp for Cable +_Wireless (Marine) Ltd. It passed through Boyd Line to International Telecom Inc and was renamed in 2005. Its original tonnage was 6141 grt, and has not been revised.

.

And away we go

There were two departures of note today.

Early this afternoon the bulker Interlink Levity got under way after bunkering and hull cleaning (see previous post for ship's details). The hull cleaning was carried out by divers using the charter boat Captain's Pride. Built in 1987 as Ashley and Jennifer in Lower Wedgeport, NS it is owned by A+M Fisheries of Eastern Passage and is often used by commercial divers, but also does harbour tours and sport fishing excursions.

Interlink Levity's destination is given as Sorel, QC. The correct place name is Sorel-Tracy, as it is an amalgamation of two separate towns. The destination is likely on the west (former Tracy) side of the Richelieu River, where the steel docks and smelters are located. It is interesting to note that the chosen form of delivery from Fairless Hills, PA. is by ship. The nature of the cargo must be such that road and rail transportation were not feasible.


Also sailing late this afternoon (after interminable fussing with fenders and gangways) was Fundy Rose, finally through with her refit at pier 9B. There has been grumbling that the ship was out of service between Digby and Saint John during the peak lobstering season in southwestern Nova Scotia forcing trucks bound for the USA to make the long detour via Moncton. The refit, which started January 24, was to be completed by March 20, but the date was extended several times. Service will now resume April 26 (although there is still an asterisk beside the date on Bay Ferries published schedule.)

 

 Fundy Rose outbound for Digby, after turning smartly off pier 9B.

.

Sunday comings and goings

 It was only April 12 that I missed taking a picture of Morning Clara so it was a bit of surprise to see the ship back at Autoport again so soon. Built in 2009 by Mitsubishi at either Nagasaki or Kobe (sources disagree) as Queen Sapphire, it was renamed by the current owners in 2014 and works for EUKOR (EURope KORea) Car Carriers.

Morning Clara rounds Ives Knoll outbound for Bremerhaven as the tug Gulf Spray hauls a garbage scow from pier 23. (International garbage must be disposed of by incineration, so is transported by barge then trucked to the incinerator at the Stanfield International Airport.)

The 60,213 grt, 18,638 dwt ship has a capacity of 6340 CEUs, and flies the flag of Singapore..

 The first cruise ship of the season arrived today and because it is a small ship, it tied up at pier 23. Owned by the famed Hurtigruten Line of Norway, it was nonetheless built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy in 2007.
 

Hurtigruten operates the coastal ferry service that sails up and down (an in and out of the fjords) of the  Norwegian coast, but also operates expedition ships to far away places.

Although the ship can operate as a ferry, it normally operates a yearly loop between the Arctic and Antarctic, with stops and side trips on the way. It will be back in Halifax again May 10 to board passengers for a 13 day Arctic / Iceland cruise. The internet tells me that it can accommodate 400 passengers in 280 berths (I assume sharing is optional). Its berthed passenger capacity is reported as 318 according to other sources.

The ship is named for the wooden polar expedition ship Fram of 1893, preserved in Norway for its many achievements with explorers Nansem, Sverdrup, Wisting and Amundsen in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

As Fram  was sailing CSL Frontier was arriving for another load of gypsum. The former Gypsum Centennial was last here March 30-31, on what I believe was here first ever call in Halifax.

And at anchor the amusingly named Interlink Levity was taking bunkers from Algoma Dartmouth. Built in 2014 by Huatai Heavy Industry Nantong in Rugao, China, it is a 24,168 grt, 37,135 dwt bulk carrier. It is multi-purpose ship, with hold ventilation allowing it to carry a variety of cargoes and even containers on deck.
It is equipped with four 30 tonne cargo cranes (fitted for grabs) and is in loaded condition. Since it is sailing from Fairless Hills, PA, I assume the cargo is steel - likley coils or finished material. Export steel from the USA may be rare these days, but the USA is a net importer of the product, so presumably also exports some.

While at anchor the ship will also undergo hull cleaning. That will undoubtedly improve the ship's efficiency going through the water, but may also remove some harmful species that may not be welcome in its destination port.

.

Back Again and Shine A Light on Halterm

The Algoma Central Corp self-unloader Radcliffe R. Latimer arrived back in Halifax on Friday. This time it was with a load of grain from Thunder Bay.The ship spent the winter at the same pier undergoing routine maintenance.
It had arrived January 7 and on March 17 it sailed light ship for Port-Cartier and loaded iron ore for Contrecoeur, QC. It subsequently made two more shuttle trips between Port-Cartier and Contrecoeur, sailing April 3 for Thunder Bay. It loaded there April 9 and was on its way back to Halifax. It anchored for a time off Grande-Entrée, Magdalen Is April 16 due to weather, but was underway again the next day. Sailing via the Cabot Strait for Halifax.

This afternoon after completing its grain work the ship moved to National Gypsum.

Arriving at Autoport the autocarrier Sunshine Ace brought out some welcome sunshine. (Another autocarrier named Sunlight Ace also called here March 27).

As Atlantic Fir and Atlantic Oak move in to position a survey boat (see below) works off Halterm.

Sunshine Ace dates from 2009 when it was built by Minami-Nippon in Marugame. The 58,917 grt, 18,858 dwt ship has a capacity of 5,200 cars. It flies the Bahamas flag for MOL Ship Management (Singapore).

Connors Diving Services Ltd operates this nameless Stanley workboat. Powered by a pair of 150 horse Yamahas it has a bow ramp  qualifying it as a landing craft.

No registration number could be seen on the hull.

The boat has been surveying off Halterm for the past several weeks. No doubt its activity is related to a recent tender notice from the Port of Halifax for rock anchor installation for a 200 tonne bollard. My expectation is that a dolphin / crib will be constructed off Pier 42 to take the headlines for large ships. Since the cranes on the pier can run right out to the end,  there is a lot of unused length to the pier taken up by ships' headlines. A bollard off the end of the pier would increase the effective length of the pier by 100 feet or more.

I only hope that the new installation will not deprive ship watchers of a favourite vantage point. 

The same boat has also been assisting Connor's work barge with a core drilling rig off pier 31-37 which is where the port is expected to infill the camber to expand Halterm's land area.

This is my interpretation - not announced by the port - of what I think will be happening:

Note the two cranes shown on pier 37 have been demolished. There are five cranes shown on Pier C. This includes the one crane now at pier 36, which was built with specail bogies that allowed it to move to Pier C..

.

Sagittarius Leader on hold and other items of interest

The auto carrier Sagittarius Leader provided a closer than usual view as it held position in the inner anchorages at noon time today. The ship was headed for Autoport but could not proceed directly because Oceanex Sanderling was just getting clear of the berth. The Sanderling was also going to anchorage, and the ships had to arrange a spot for clear passing.

The 61,804 grt, 20,098 dwt ship was built by Imabari Shipbuilding Company Ltd in Marugame, Japan in 2005. It has a capacity of 5,415 cars. Registered in Panama, it works for NYK Line.

A recent announcement that the Port of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is building an auto import facility for European cars may pose little threat to Autoport's dominance in the trade. The new plan would see the cars from Europe arriving via the Panama Canal, unloaded and processed  then barged to the BC mainland. They expect to receive 12,000 cars a year starting in January 2019 and work up to 50,000 per year.

Halifax's Autoport facility is owned and operated by CN Rail, and provides a ship to train distribution system to inland distribution hubs, including the west coast.

The Nanaimo plan fails to take into account that many customers want their cars quickly and adding two weeks or more to the delivery time might not be acceptable. Of course if Alberta decides to blockade British Columbia from Canada, the point becomes moot.

Oceanex Sanderling took up its anchorage positiin shortly after and and will await its turn at Halterm.

At Irving Oil, Maersk Edward was finally able to make it into port last evening after several days delay by weather. It tied up at Irving Oil with cargo from Ijmuiden / Amsterdam.

We think of Maersk in term of container ships, but they have a large tanker fleet too. In fact with 161 ships it is one of the largest tanker owners, with vessels of all sizes. Maersk Edward, built as Bro Edward, works in their Handytankers pool. Slightly smaller than than the Mid Range tankers of 50,000 dwt we usually see, it measures 26,659 grt, 37,300 dwt. Its epoxy lined tanks allow it to carry a variety of fuels and chemicals. It was built in 2005 by Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, China for Brostrom Tankers France SAS. Acquired by Maersk in 2010 it now flies the Danish flag under their international register.

And despite the odd flurry in the forecast over the next few days, there continue to be hopeful signs of better weather ahead.

The harbour front floating walkway is now in place and should be opening to the public by the weekend.

It stretches from the Cable Wharf to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, spanning across the Queen's Marque construction site. It was much acclaimed last year with up to 8,000 people per day making use of it but was removed for the winter.

Although there is no sign  of harbour tour boats yet, Harbour Hopper 1 was out and about today, at least on dry land.

.

Fishing

Fishing vessels, aside from small inshore boats, are rare sights in Halifax these days. Last evening the Northern Pride put in, arriving in the teeth of a gale and tied up at Bishop's landing (on advice from someone, but not likely the best dock). It sailed again early this afternoon.

Built in 1985 by Burry's in Glovertown, NL it originally measured 52 grt, but was rebuilt in 1996. Now measuring 88 grt, it appears to be fitted for scalloping, with a large gantry aft and rake on deck. Online records indicate that after a series of Newfoundland owners, it now belongs to Yarmouth Sea Products Ltd.
 

As with many boats of its size it is fitted with paravanes, that are lowered to the water with the two booms rigged on the mainmast. I am sure they were in use last night as they were this afternoon even though sea conditions had improved somewhat from yesterday's storm.

Offshore fishing activity is still in full swing in Sambro, NS beyond the entrance to Halifax harbour. This afternoon the attractive Kiviuq I was unloading its catch. One of four similar vessels built by Pictou Industries Ltd in 1987-88, it was originally named Atlantic Prospect and fished longline for Clearwater Atlantic Seafoods Inc from the Pierce Fisheries plant in Lockeport, NS. In 2014 it was sold and renamed Tulugarnaq then extensively rebuilt as a fixed gear wet fish boat for halibut, cod and hake.

Again renamed, as Kiviuq I it works for Arctic Fisheries Alliance, a 100% Inuit owned company based in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The same company owns Suvak, the former Genny and Doug  which has been similarly refitted.

Both boats also conduct exploratory and science fisheries from time to time.Genny and Doug used to be seen in Halifax as per the link in the name above and:

.

Storm Surge

A combination of new moon high tides and ESE winds up to 45 kph made for some rough conditions in the harbour today.

At high tide this morning waves surged in among the finger piers in the ocean terminals area, breaking over the ends of the piers and along their length. I observed waves of up to 6 feet high as the "bath tub effect" washed back along the pier faces.

Algoma Dartmouth, usually tied up at pier 34, moved to a more sheltered spot at pier 9. Lundstrom Tide at pier 25-26 decided to stay put and was relatively sheltered, but was certainly pitching.

 

Despite this the ferries kept running, though there were no passengers out on deck!

.

After you, I insist

Usually ships arriving and departing make passing arrangements so that neither ship is delayed. Today however there was the unusual situation where a ship stopped in the stream to allow another to maneuver.

Palena (despite its name, a HAPAG-Lloyd ship) was outbound from Fairview Cove. When it reached the lower harbour, there was no convenient spot to meet the inbound Maersk Patras. Palena kept its escort tug and stopped in the number one anchorage area until Maersk Patras was alongside at Halterm.

Palena 73,934 grt, 81,248 dwt, built Hyundai, Ulsan in 2006 is a 6541 TEU ship.It joined H-L through the merger with CSAV.

Maersk Patras built 1998 by Kvaerner Warnow Werft, Warnemunde, 31,333 grt, 37,842 dwt, 2890 TEU on its regular run from Montreal en route Rotterdam. It was built as P+O Nedlloyd Marseille and joined Maersk as part of a 2006 takeover.

.

Mid-week activity

With no bunkering facility available in Saint John, NB, tankers sometimes come to Halifax to top up their fuel tanks. After discharging a cargo of North Sea crude in Saint John, the Helga Spirit bunkered in Halifax today. The tanker is owned by Teekay Shipping, a Danish company in origin (T.K. were the initials of its founder Torben Karlshoej), but has operational functions spread around the world, including a core services centre in Vancouver. It is currently the world's largest operator of mid-size tankers with a fleet more than 100 ships.

Helga Spirit was built by Samsung,in Koje, SK in 2005. At 62,929 grt, 115,515 dwt, is is classed as a Large Range 2 or Suezmax ship. (However the latter designation my change as maximum Suez Canal dimensions have been increased with Canal widening.).

Teekay has also recently taken delivery of the third and last of its new shuttle tankers to serve the nine oil companies operating off Newfoundland. Dorset Spirit joins Beothuk Spirit and Norse Spirit delivered last year. Helga Spirit is headed for Whiffen Head, NL, where it will load some of that offshore Newfoundland crude for delivery to an eastern seaboard refinery. It is a frequent caller in Philadelphia, so that may be its ultimate destination.

A pier 9C more work was underway on Fundy Rose. After a week or more of seeming inactivity, workers appear to be concentrating on the emergency evacuation deployment system.

The ship is now scheduled to resume service between Digby, NS and Saint John, NB on April 27.

In the outer part of the harbour CCGS Earl Grey was assisting in training small boat handlers for summer inshore rescue craft. Crewed by students of the Canadian Coast Guard College, the boats respond to Search and Rescue calls in harbours throughout the region when recreational activity is at its peak.

As the supplier Lundtrom Tide arrives (see Tugfax) small craft work from CCGS Earl Grey. It is ideal for this kind of work due to its exceptionally low freeboard aft. It was built along supply vessel lines, but as this photo contrasts, those vessels have continued to evolve in  unforeseen ways.

.

Viking Queen

The Gram Car Carriers, Singapore flag Viking Queen arrived at Autoport mid-morning yesterday. That gave shore side crews time to clear about 10cm of snow that had piled up Sunday. Fortunately temperatures were relatively mild and the ground was not frozen, so the sun melted most of it away quite rapidly.

The Viking Queen  was built in 2007 by the Uljanik yard in Pula, Croatia as Hoegh Delhi. The ship called in Halifax under that name, but somehow managed to escape my camera. In early 2017 it was acquired by Gram, based in Oslo, and is time chartered back to Hoegh Autoliners and managed by Hoegh Wallem. A substantial vessel it has a capacity of 7,000 cars with a grt of 55,775 and dwt of 16,890.  (Interestingly Hoegh only rated its capacity at 6500 CEU).

Arriving from Emden, Germany, its next stops are to be Davisville, RI, then on to Houston, TX and Veracruz, MX.

A close look at the tree on the left will reveal some buds - a good sign!

.

Seeing Stars

The stars were out in daylight today - at least as far as ship's names go.

ACL's Atlantic Star called on the eastbound leg of its voyage AST0918, next stop Liverpool, UK. Arriving and departing through the Narrows it passed Asian Sun and Horizon Star.

Asian Sun is at pier 9B for a two week maintenance period.

At pier 9C Horizon Star was loading more drill riser for the offshore rig West Aquarius which has now taken up its drilling position  about 250 nkm off the southeast coast. It will drill one well for BP. BP has hired two more suppliers through Halifax based Horizon Maritime and registered them in Canada. Lundstrom Tide (3943 grt, built 2013) and Troms Sirius (4201 grt, built 2012) are owned by industry giant Tidewater, but appear to have been bareboat chartered to Horizon. So far they have been working out of Mulgrave to mobilize West Aquarius. However Horizon Star must come to Halifax to pick up the risers as the two month (minimum) project progresses. It is also apparently picking up cement and fluids from the new MI-Swaco tank facility at the far north end of pier 9C.

As soon as Atlantic Star had passed Pier 9c the supplier Horizon Star moved from 9C to 9 to take fuel from Wilson's Fuel's pipeline. It was being chased by a rain shower, precluding a closer shot.

Further down the harbour at pier 31 the Augusta Mars (see yesterday) was unloading, but  will sail this evening ahead of the next big storm and head back to Europe. It apparently will establish its own orbit.

The only exception to the stellar cast above were also at the deep water piers. The Large Car and Truck Carrier (LCTC) Undine discharged some machinery at pier 27 after visiting Autoport with cars.

Built in 2003 by Daewoo Shipbuilding + Marine Engineering Co, Okpo, it was lengthened by about 28 meters in 2006 by Hyundai-Vinashin, Ninh Hoa yard in Viet Nam.  The added space projected it into the LCTC ranks with a capacity of 7,194 CEU. It has a relatively light 125 tonne stern ramp, but that still allows it to carry a variety of heavy equipment.

At Halterm the APL Mexico City had the whole place to itself, allowing all four cranes to work one ship. Flagged in Singapore, it measures 109,712 grt, 108,564 dwt. The 9200 TEU vessel dates from 2014 when it was also built by Daewoo, Okpo. [as was the drill rig West Aquarius mentioned above - in 2009.]

Daewoo set up a wind turbine factory in Nova Scotia, with $56mn in government assistance. However the plant (and the company) fell on hard times, the plant was closed, with the province, as 49% owners,  left holding the bag so to speak. They now have to decide whether to demolish the plant or sell it off in pieces, as no new owner has come along. It is the former Trenton Car Works, in Pictou County. Daewoo has been in the news recently over additional convictions in corruption cases that extended to the President of South Korea.

A major storm developing off Cape Hatteras will work its way up across Nova Scotia tomorrow, with 10-15 cm of snow (which converts to "a lot" in Imperial units). That may be why there are no arrivals departures or moves scheduled so far for tomorrow.

.

Visitor from Mars

Well from Cuba actually, Augusta Mars arrived today on Nirint Shipping's regular route with nickel sulfides.

The fourth of six ships of the "Atlantic P" class from Jingjiang Shipyard, it was built as Atlantic Power in 2000. (The 5th and 6th ships were built in 2003 by which time the shipyard had become New Century Shipbuilding Co). With this ship's arrival, we have now seen all six ships in Halifax under various names and guises. All were built for charter work and have served such groups as Seaboard, BBC, HAL, Onego and Fednav.

This ship entered service as Atlantic Power. became Seaboard Power in 2001, Federal Power in 2007, Atlantic Power again in 2013, then Onego Power in 2015, Atlantic Power again in 2016 and finally Augusta Mars in February of this year. Sister ship Atlantic Pioneer is now the Augusta Unityand is also running for Nirint Lines. That they have not been given Nirint prefixes may not be indicative of much since no Nirint ships currently have Nirint prefixes, whereas at one time all ships did.
The sixth ship in the series built as Atlantic Progress, also with Nirint as Augusta Sun, was in Halifax in December but may have gone on to other operators since it was last rported in China and no longer shows on Nirint schedules..

The "Atlantic P" ships all measure 12,993 grt and 17,451 dwt and carry two 45 tonne cranes. They have a maximum container capacity of 1118 TEU, but are multi-purpose ships and carry a combination of general  / break bulk cargo and containers and have 13 portable pontoon type tweendecks.

The nickel material they unload in Halifax is bagged material and handled by shoreside crane.

.

Little Rock away

Whether it was the thrumming of diesel engines, the whine of a gas turbines or the sighs of the crew, there was a dull rumble as USS Little Rock finally got underway this morning for its new home of Mayport FL. As per the previous post, it has been a long time since the ship sailed from commissioning in Buffalo, NY, to finally be able to give Mayport as its next port of call.

Decks lined with "popsicle" suited matelots, the ship clears the piers of HMC Dockyard. 

(The winter suits will go into the souvenir lockers when the ship sails into warmer weather.)

The ship is just one of a series of Littoral Combat vessels under construction for the USN at Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. The next ship in the series, Sioux City, may be ready to sail this year, but my bet is that they will wait for next spring to get out of the Great Lakes. I am sure they will not try for a December sailing again any time soon.

Tug Atlantic Willow begins to swing the ship's bow seaward, as Atlantic Oak hauls the stern around.

First order of business on arrival in Florida may be a general cleanup, including some paint. The staining from the gas turbine side port exhausts is a fact of life for ships of this class, but the general state of the paint is certainly under par for the normally "pusser" USN.

Tugs clear, the ship sets out for sea.

As a guest ship at HMC Dockyard, the ship used civilian tugs and pilots for its arrival on April 3 and its departure today.

.