Unusual visitor

 Ships of the Nova Algoma Cement Carrier fleet can be tracked passing Halifax quite frequently. Running between the huge cement plant in Gascons - Port Daniel, QC and terminals at US east coast ports, they usually have no reason to stop in Halifax. Therefore the arrival of NACC Providence today (August 10) could be considered unusual.

The ship anchored in the lower harbour, and is en route from its namesake port to Port Daniel to take on another load of cement. It loads and unloads the powder by using a pneumatic (air pressure) system.

The ship was purpose built to carry cement by Namindah Mutiara in Batam, Indonesia in 2006. Originally registered at 11,972 gross tons, that was later evised to 12,047 gt. Deadweight tonnage has remained at 20,200 tonnes. Originally named Glory Atlantic by KGJ Cement, it was renamed when acquired by NACC in early 2022.

NACC now operates five ship under international flags (Panama in this case) and also has three more Canadian registered ships. 

This summer however, demand in Canada is such that a fourth ship is needed. NACC therefore applied for a coasting license to use the NACC Providence to make five trips from Port Daniel to Canadian ports, interspersed with two trips to Providence, between July 18 and October 31. Canadian ports are Quebec City, Montreal, QC (three trips), and Argentia, Long Pond and Corner Brook, NL (two trips). No other Canadian registered cement carriers were available (all were fully booked) and so the license was granted.

Under the license the ship is due at Port Daniel August 13 to load for Quebec City and Montreal. Currently fleet mate NACC New York is loading at Port Daniel.

The cement manufacturing operation in Gascons, Port Daniel on the south coast of the Gaspé peninsula, was developed by Beaudier, Inc (the Beaudoin and Bombardier families) and was bailed out by the Province of Quebec's pension fund investment arm after construction went over budget.  Called McInnis cement, it has since been sold (at a loss to taxpayers) to the St.Marys Cement Company, a Canadian subsidiary of the giant Votorantim Cementos of Brazil. The Quebec government retains a 17% interest.

Votorantim has guaranteed continued support of the McInnis operation to 2029. As one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in eastern Canada, the plant will probably not be able to meet mandated reductions by 2030. 

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