MSC Alyssa (again)

 I have noted the container ship MSC Alyssa half a dozen times since 2021 and as recently as April 7 and 16 of this month. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about its call today except that I only caught up with the ship on its departure.

Today, May 19, was the occasion of the 21st annual Bluenose Marathon, an event that ties up many of the city streets for the early part of the day, including my usual ship viewing spot at Point Pleasant Park. Since I live within the loop of the race route, it is difficult to get to the port, so I stayed home until the afternoon.

By the time MSC Alyssa sailed at 1645 hrs ADT, the race was long over and a steady drizzle had set in, but thanks to the magic of photo editing, the ship was made more visible.

 With the pilot boat Capt. E.T.Rogers keeping pace, the MSC Alyssa has cleared PSA Halifax Atlantic Gateway outbound for Montreal.

 A regular caller on MSC's CANEX1 service to/from the Mediterranean the MSC Alyssa usually calls westbound en route to Montreal to lighten up to St.Lawrence draft, and eastbound to add cargo. Today it is westbound from Sines, Portugal and is due in Montreal on May 22. Although the ship still appeared to be well loaded, its draft on sailing was reported to be 10.8 meters. That will increase when it reaches the freshwater of the Upper St. Lawrence River. Montreal's maximum allowable draft is usually quoted at 11 meters, however during spring run off it is 12 meters or more. (Salinity in the river decreases the farther one goes upstream, but the water is brackish as far as the eastern end of the Ile d'Orléans.) 

Built in 2001 by Hanjin Heavy Industry + Construction Co in Busan, MSC Alyssa is a 43,575 gt, 61,487 dwt vessel with a capacity of 4340 TEU including 150 reefer plugs. The ship is due for its 25 year classification renewal September 30, 2026, by which time it will likely be due for retirement. The large number of new and more efficient ships on order or to be delivered this year and next may spell the end for ships of its vintage, no matter how sound they may be.

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