Algoma Hansa - retires

 The Canadian flag tanker Algoma Hansa arrived in Halifax on January 7. It came from the Great Lakes with stops at Kildair Sorel-Tracy and Montreal. It arrived in ballast (and likely with tanks cleaned and gas freed) and will be laid up until it can be transferred to new owners.

The ship was built in 1998 and is nearing the end of its economic life. After twenty-five years of service ships must undergo a major refit to maintain their classification, and the expense is usually not warranted. Owners then sell the ship for further use where its classification will not be renewed, or in many cases the ship goes to scrap.

Algoma Hansa is an unusual ship in many ways. It was built at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, AB for Dannebrog Rederi A/S of Denmark. Named Amelienborg it was delivered in April 1998 and a sistership, named Aggersborg was delivered in November of the same year. Measuring 11,290 gt, and 16,775 dwt it was registered in Denmark and was a double hull chemical / product tanker with phenolic coated cargo tanks. Algoma Tankers Ltd acquired the ship in 2006 and operated it in the Hanseatic and later Navig8 tanker pools, largely in Europe, but it did make some trips to the Great Lakes. 

Algoma renamed the Aggersborg as Algosea in 2005 and registered it in Canada. They renamed the Amalienborg to Algoma Hansa in 2008 but did not bring into Canadian registry until 2014. By that time its projecting bridge wings had been cut back flush with the ship's sides to permit safe passage through the St.Lawrence Seaway locks.

It will now be replaced in the Algoma fleet by the recently acquired Chantaco which arrived in Halifax December 30 [see post]. Algoma has selected the name Algotitan for the new acquistion, and when it enters service (expected shortly) it will operate this winter with Algoscotia which arrived in Halifax January 8. 

Algoscotia sailed again January 9 for Sydney with cargo from Imperial Oil for its Sydney depot.

There is no word yet on when the sister Algosea will be retired, and it is operating this winter on the Great Lakes. Its replacement, the future Algoberta, is currently working in Europe as Chiberta.

On Monday January 9 the Algoma Hansa swapped places with its replacement. The Chantaco moved to Pier 27 and the Algoma Hansa to Pier 25. Once along side at Pier 25 the workboat Allen Clipper came along to carry out some underwaterwork (perhaps hull cleaning or camera survey). 

There is some indication that a sale has already been arranged for the Algoma Hansa and handover and renaming will take place shortly.

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