The Usual Suspects

Today, Thursday May 18, saw the variety of ship movements, typical of the mixed bag that Halifax is known for. The earliest arrival was the return of the 14,026 TEU ONE Stork on the eastbound leg of its EC5 route for THE Alliance. It was first here on the westbound leg April 26 when its 1530 arrival meant that better photos were possible. This morning's 0530 arrival was not so convenient. Views from Dartmouth were the best I could get.

The ship docked at Pier 42, and the three largest cranes were all at work toward the ship's stern. Meanwhile a lifeboat was lowered from the bridge superstructure.

 More convenient arrival times between 0700 and 0800 allowed for better photos, but backlighting from the strong sun was a challenge. 

The first of those arrivals was cruise ship Zaandam which as usual will be the most frequent cruise caller again this year.

Today is the third of 18 calls scheduled this year as the ship retraces its Boston / Montreal route with stops in several intermediate ports. (The tug was standing  by for the next arrival.)

The third arrival was a little out of the ordinary. The bulk carrier Santander from Trombetas, Brazil. The ship was met by a divers' boat on arrival at Pier 27. It did not work any cargo.

Built only last year at Penglai Zhonghai Jinglu Ship Industry Co Ltd in Penglai, China, it is a 36,108 gt, 63,650 dwt scrubber equipped bulker. It has four cranes and carries its own grabs.

Trombetas is known for its bauxite exports, and is the primary source for Alcan's aluminum operations in the Lac St-Jean region of Quebec.  The ship sailed early this evening, for Port Alfred / La Baie. Due to the amount of traffic for La Baie, ships often anchor in the St.Lawrence River across from the Escoumins pilot station, in Les Razades anchorage until their berth is available.

 The third arrival is typical of  the variety of ships we are likely to see in Halifax. The Italian naval vessel Virginio Fasan F591 is on a courtesy cruise and last called in Quebec City for a few days. It will stay over in Halifax until May 20.

The ship is from the Carlo Bergami class built to the FREMM design developed jointly by Italy and France (FREMM stands for Fregata Europea Multi-Missione / Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission). This particular ship was built by Fincantieri La Spezia and was commissioned in 2013. It has just completed a deployment with the USS George W. Bush Strike Force Group. The US Navy will also be using the FREMM design as the basis for its own series of frigates.

Also arriving, but late this afternoon, was the 6730 TEU MSC Melissa on the return (eastbound) leg of the Indusa service. It was here March 4 and in the meantime has been to India and back to the US east coast. Its last port was Baltimore, and it will be sailing for Mediterranean ports late tonight.

The ship docked at Pier 42, PSA Halifax Atlantic Gateway, where the two smaller cranes were able to meet its needs.

 

Not pictured, but adding to the variety was the auto carrier Morning Charlotte. It arrived yesterday  from Southampton and sailed this afternoon for New York, and the tanker Acadian which also arrived yesterday, sailed mid-day for Saint John, NB.

 

 

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