Life Goes On

Services such as shipping continue as much as possible to deliver essential goods, and they must do so safely.

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MOL Marvel arrives in Halifax for the first time, with a whole variety of cargo. The ship, measuring 78,316 gt, 79,460 dwt, was built in 2010 by Mitsubishi Heavy in Kobe. In 2015 it was fitted with an experimental screen forward aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by 2% by reducing wind resistance (while the ship was steaming at 17 knots). It has the added benefit of protecting containers stowed forward.

The ship's capacity of 6724 TEU (including 500 reefers) may have been reduced somewhat since the white containers just aft of the screen do not appear to be revenue boxes, but part of the screen. No other ships of the "M" class have been fitted with similar screens, so the results of the experiment may not have lived up to expectations.

For ships to navigate safely aids to navigation such as buoys must be maintained, and spring is usually the time to change then out as winter can be particular hard on them. Others are removed from service for the winter due to ice and are reinstated in spring.

CCGS Sir William Alexander sets this afternoon out for the eastern shore with a deck load of buoys. Having to dodge a solo sailor is a bit odd for this time of year, but the same boat has been running for all winter. (I took a photo of it on February 23: http://shipfax.blogspot.com/2020/02/an-unusual-winter.html )

Only two of the buoys are identifiable. TA4 for Flying Point and PQ4 for Horne Shoal in the Port Felix /Dover areas.

Another arrival, just getting into the inner anchorage before dusk, was the tanker Tower Bridge. It is coming from Saint John, NB with a part cargo from Europe, but will have to wait until yesterday's arrival sails from Irving Oil's Woodside terminal.

Of typical MidRange size at 27,725 gt, 47,199 dwt the ship is a bit unusual however in that it was built at the Admiralty Shipyard in St.Petersburg. It is operated by the Russian company SCF. Despite the admonishment that Safety Comes First, the company initials represent Sovcomflot. Originally a soviet state owned shipping combine it has been a joint stock company since 1988.

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More MOL and CSL

Today's arrival for THE Alliance is another MOL ship, MOL Marvel. It has been here before but I did not get an arrival or departure photo.

Built in 2010 by Mitsubishi Heavy in Kobe, it is a member of the M class. At 78,316 grt, 79,460 dwt it has a capacity of 6724 TEU, including 500 reefers, slightly larger than yesterday's arrival from the P class.

On its way inbound in the Narrows it passed CSL's Baie St.Paul. While waiting to take my picture I realized I missed an opportunity yesterday to take a "joke" photo. These photos were a  hallmark of the Halifax Chronicle-Herald and Mail Star newspaper  photographers of the 1960s, Wambolt and Waterfield. They were forever taking pictures with captions starting with lines like "It may appear that this seagull is carrying off the City Hall".
So here goes my tribute joke photo:

It may appear that Canada Steamship Lines is living up to its name with two of three funnels pumping out steam. Of course the chimneys belong to the Nova Scotia Power Corporation's Tufts Cove natural gas powered generating station, which is opposite to Pier 9, Richmond Terminals on the Narrows.

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Red, White and Blue

After a lengthy refit that included removing and rebuilding the ship's crane CCGS Sir William Alexander moved out into Bedford Basin for some trials today.

Not far away the MOL Marvel was making its first visit to Cerescorp's Fairview Cove terminal.

Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Kobe in 2010 it is a 78,316 gt, 79,460 dwt ship with a capacity of 6724 TEU including 500 reefers.

At the other end of the harbour Titania discharged a load of cars at Autoport.

Still wearing the old Wilhelmsen orange and white colour scheme, Titania (and Atlantic Bear) pass Shearwater outbound from Eastern Passage.

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in Okpo built Titania in 2010. Its 74,255 gt, 31,108 dwt gives it a capacity of  7934 cars.

Federal Churchill also got underway to make the short trip from anchorage to pier 28.

There was more blue to be seen, but it was so far offshore that it was not clearly legible.

Anchored outside the port limits, Ethan is waiting for something.

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