Long tow sets off

 The container ship MSC Sao Paulo V set out from Halifax today under tow of the tug ALP Sweeper. Indications are that the ship is headed for Naples, which may mean that it could be repaired and returned to service - unlikely as that seems. The ship was built in 1998 and after the engine room fire that started March 3, many were of the opinion that the ship would not be repaired, but send for scrap. However with the current demand for ships, in part due to the Red Sea war zone diversions, very few ships are going for scrap these days but are kept running beyond normal retirement dates.

After the fire was extinguished after several days, the ship was towed to Quebec City for survey, then departed in tow as a dead ship on March 27, arriving Halifax April 2. Its cargo of containers has been offloaded at PSA Halifax Atlantic Gateway. The boxes are now being transshipped to the MSC Shristi (in port at Pier 41) and MSC Cornelia (standing by offshore) and will be sent on to the orginal destinations of Sines, Portugal and Mediterranean ports.

With no power on deck it took several hours to let go and recover the mooring lines and gangways and to get underway from Pier 42. The ALP Sweeper was made up with heavy towing gear, ready to pull away.

Unfortunately the clear conditions earlier in the morning had vanished by noon with drizzle setting in making the ship nearly invisible from shore by the time it reached open water.

 

Views from Purcell's Cove (upper photo) and Ferguson's Cove (lower photo) were less than ideal.

The tugs Atlantic Bear and Atlantic Beaver with Atlantic Oak tethered astern, assisted the tow while Dominion Diving's launch Halmar disembarked a local crew of deckhands when their work was done.

The two Quebec tugs Océan Taïga and Océan Raynald T. stood by until the ship was clear of the dock, then went to Pier 9B to replenish some stores. They had been holding the ship alongside the whole time it was in Halifax. (They received assistance from the Atlantic Elm during the height of the bad weather during the past week.)

 It may appear that Ocean Taïga's superstructure is a light brown colour. I believe however that it is streaked with iron ore dust accumulated while working at Baffinland Iron's Milne Inlet port. The iron oxidizes rapidly and sticks to everything. Groupe Océan tugs have white superstructures like its fleet mate in the foreground.

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Weather (again)

 Another spell of high winds (accompanied by snow and rain) has delayed some harbour activity today, April 4. The tow out of the fire-damaged MSC Sao Paulo V has been postponed until tomorrow, April 5 when the wind is expected to die down and make towing a dead ship a little more manageable. The MSC Shristi is at Pier 41 taking on some of the containers from the Sao Paulo V destined for Sines, Portugal and beyond. 

Following up on yesterday's observation, since amended, the large crane at the north end of the Pier 41was operating today, so it may only be its ability to raise the boom that is (or was) impaired.

 When the tow does depart, vacating the berth at Pier 42, the Vivienne Sheri D will move alongside. The Canadian owned Eimskip charter anchored on arrival this morning.

In the teeth of a stiff breeze in the Narrows, the NYK Meteor arrived and made its way through to PSA Fairview Cove in Bedford Basin.

The ship is sailing for Ocean Network Express on THE Alliance's AL5 service from Antwerp. The NYK Meteor is another of the familiar Daedalus class built by Hyundai Ulsan - this one in 2007. The 55,534 gt, 65,935 dwt ship has a capacity of as much as 4922 TEU (some sources report 4888) and 330 reefers.

Over at Autoport, the 230 members of Unifor have accepted the latest contract offer and returned to work. Replacement workers were brought in during the five week strike and handled numerous ships. There is now pressure to ban replacement workers. A bill to do so in federally regulated work places was introduced in the Canadian parliament last November. A motion by the opposition to ban replacement workers across the board has been introduced in the Nova Scotia legislature.

Today's arrival at Autoport, the Morning Peace, was due to move to Pier 9C late this afternoon to offload machinery, with another autocarrier the Grande Marocco to take its place and the Morning Cindy is due tomorrow. Press reports state that Autoport handles 185,000 cars per year. (By comparison, the Dundalk termonal in Baltimore - currently blocked due to the bridge collapse, handles more than 850,000 cars per year.)

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MSC Sao Paulo V - Update #2

 Unloading the MSC Sao Paulo's cargo continued over night. By this morning, April 3, there were no containers left on deck and one crane was still working one hold.

The two Quebec tugs, Océan Taïga and Océan Raynald T. remained alongside the ship all night. I am assuming that because the ship is without power the winches are not operable, and the tensioner devices cannot pay out or ease in the lines depending tide or wind pressure. The ALP Sweeper moved to Pier 31over night but returned this morning to a position under the ship's bow.

An anticipated departure has been cancelled in view of approaching weather. Both MSC Shristi and now MSC Cornelia are standing by offshore to take the berth at Pier 42 when the tug and tow depart. Both will be sailing for Sines, Portugal and I can assume they will be sharing the MSC Sao Paulo's load as well as their own scheduled cargo.

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MSC Sao Paulo V - update #1

 The fire damaged container ship MSC Sao Paulo V made it to Halifax this morning April 2 and berthed at PSA Halifax Atlantic Gateway.

 To recap, a fire broke out in the ship's engine room on March 3 on the lower St.Lawrence River not far from the Escoumins pilot station. The ship, which was en route from Montreal to Sines, Portugal, was immobilized by the fire, but was able to drop anchor before running aground.

A large operation involving the Canadian Coast Guard, the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, tugs from Groupe Océan and private fire fighters brought in from the United States extinguished the fire before it could spread to the ship's cargo. There are reports that the fire did spread to the ship's accommodation, but that remains to be confirmed. [see previous posts for more detail]

The ship was towed to Quebec City where a damage survey was conducted, and it was then taken in tow for Halifax. The large tug Océan Taïga was the towing tug and the smaller Océan Raynald T took a stern line for steering. 

On arrival off Halifax Dominion Diving's Halmar took a team of deckhands out to the ship to handle mooring lines. Harbour pilots boarded the ship and the towing tug and local tugs Altantic Bear, Atlantic Beaver and Atlantic Oak came to assist. Océan Taïga maintained the towing line and the Atlantic Bear relieved the Océan Reynold T as stern tethered escort.

When the procession reached the Middle ground area off Point Pleasant Park, the tugs turned the ship and brought it alongside Pier 42.

There were no obvious signs of fire damage to the superstructure. It was to be noted however that the ship appeared very light, suggesting that some containers may have been removed in Quebec City. The ship may have been de-ballasted and de-watered of contaminants from the fire.

It took considerable time to secure all the mooring lines and the Quebec tugs remained alongside. Soon after the ocean-ging tug ALP Sweeper came along at the bow.

The ALP Sweeper, sent from Portugal,will be towing the ship to Europe, but did not make up a tow line at this time. The "insurance line" rigged along the ship's rail to be used in case the main tow line parted, was left in place when Océan Taïga retrieved its towing gear.

Later in the afternoon, two of the terminal's container cranes went to work removing containers,

Meanwhile the MSC Shristi is standing by off Halifax, presumably to take some or all of the MSC Sao Paulo V's cargo. A transatlantic tow of a dead ship loaded with containers would seem a risky proposition, and so a safer and faster way to get the cargo to Sines is by transloading it to another ship. This will also be a lengthy process, taking several days. So far there is no indication of just how many days that will be.

Update#1

The MSC Sao Paulo V has ordered pilots for 1530 hrs April 3 to depart Halifax in tow 

To be continued.........

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MSC Sao Paulo V - update

 The container ship Sao Paulo V en route to Halifax in a dead ship tow of the tug Océan Taïga with Océan Raynald T on a stern line has put back to seek shelter. After clearing the Cabot Strait the tug's AIS signal showed progess along the coast past Chedabucto Bay and Cape Canso, and perhaps as far south as Country Harbour. Then, due to an intense weather system, the whole tow came about and returned to the area off Sydney Bight where it is standing off in the lee of high land.

Océan Taïga and sister Océan Tundra are 8,000 bhp, 100 tonne bollard pull arctic class tugs. 

The Océan Taïga and its sister are the most powerful tugs on the St.Lawrence River, but are essentially large harbour and escort tugs. Every summer they work in the high arctic at the Baffinland Iron Mines Corp's Milne Inlet port and travel independantly to Baffin Island and back. However even with that power, trying to tow a fully laden and powerless container ship in severe weather was probably beyond its ability. The Océan Raynald T is a harbour tug, so it was wise to seek shelter under the circumstances

 There is now no ETA for Halifax, but when the weather eases and the effects of the system pass, the tow will need at least two days to reach Halifax.

The MSC Sao Paulo V was en route from Montreal to Sines, Portugal on March 3 when it suffered an engine room fire. (see previous posts). When the fire was finally extinguished the ship was towed to Quebec City for survey. Meanwhile the large ocean going tug ALP Sweeper was dispatched from Portugal. It arrived in Halifax on March 26 and it standing by to tow the ship to Europe.

 

According to reports there was no damage to the ship's cargo but the accommodation may have been burned out. It is expected that the ship will be towed to Portugal, but it may be partially or fully offloaded here first for safety and stability reasons.

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MSC SaoPaulo V - update

 A quick recap and update on the MSC Sao Paulo V.

As previously reported  on  March 5 through  March 9  (with updates) the fire damaged MSC Sao Paulo V was towed to Quebec City for damage survey. Since Quebec City has no facilities for unloading or storing containers it became a quesiton as to what would become of the ship's cargo. I have no confirmation on this, but it is likely that General Average was declared and all cargo owners will have to contribute to a general fund before their cargo can be released. In the meantime the ship will have to be unloaded and its entire cargo impounded.

It has now been confirmed that the ship was been towed out of Quebec City March 22 and is bound for Halifax. The Quebec City based Océan Taïga is towing and the Océan Raynald T has a line astern. This morning, March 24, AIS showed the tugs and tow in the lee of the land off Cap Trinité between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Iles, in high winds. Later in the day they were well underway again at 6.6 knots with an ETA in Halifax of March 28.

Meanwhile the big Dutch tug ALP Sweeper departed Ponta Delgada, Portugal March 19 for Halifax and is due March 26. It is expected to tow the ship away - destination as yet unknown. It is fairly certain that the ship will be completely unloaded in Halifax before going. It then depends on the condition of the ship whether it will be repaired or sent to the scrappers. Prospects for a ship built in 1998 do not appear favourable after an engine room fire that spread to accommodations.

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MSC Sao Paulo V fire - update #4

 The Canadian Coast Guard has declared that the fire aboard MSC Sao Paulo V is extinguished. The CCG made the announcement yesterday, March 8, and allowed all emergency resources to stand down. Two firefighting teams from the United States assisted the ship's crew and CCG in containing the fire that broke out on March 3. 

The icebreaker CCGS Amundsen has now returned to its spring ice operations on the Saguenay River and the tug l'Anse du Moulin is heading for its home port of Baie-Comeau. (The tug Grande-Baie came over from Méchins to look after tug ops in Baie-Comeau.) The two MSC ships, MSC Don Giovanni and MSC Celine  which were providing relief and catering to the crew of the MSC Sao Paulo V have also continued on their ways to Montreal and Corner Brook respectively. 

A period of 24 hours was needed to evacuate smoke and clear CO2 before crew could re-occupy the ship without breathing apparatus, so the ship remained at anchor over night.

The tug  Ocean Keith Rusby arrived from Quebec City with a generator which allowed the otherwise powerless ship to raise its anchor. Making up a line astern it then joined Ocean Taiga taking the ship in tow for Quebec City, leaving the Prince Shoal area of Tadoussac this morning, March 9. I can find no reference to whether crew have re-boarded or not.

MSC's published schedule does not show what will become of the MSC Sao Paulo V's cargo which was en route to Sines, Portugal, and Mediterranean ports. Presumably it will have to be unloaded in Montreal as there are only limited facilities in Quebec City and no container cranes. If General Average is declared the cargo may be impounded until cargo interests make their contribution to the GA fund.

It is likely that the ship's stopover in Quebec City will allow for a formal survey of damages and a Transportation and Safety Board of Canada investigation. With a ship this age (it was built in 1998) there will be the question of whether the extent of damage will make repairs prohibitive.

Arriving Halifax July 4, 2022.

Assuming the ship arrives in Quebec City this evening without incident, I don't expect a further update for some time.

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MSC Sao Paulo V - Update #3

 The container ship Sao Paulo V is anchored near Prince Shoal at the mouth of the Saguenay River as eforts continue to extinguish a fire on board. Tugs moved the ship from its initial position to deeper water to prevent it from running aground at low tide. It initially stopped off Grandes Bergeronnes on March 3 when fire broke out in the engine room. [see previous posts]

Owners, the Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC, have brought in teams of specialist fire fighters from the United States and have stated that the fire is under control but not fully extinguished. The fire is believed to have spread from the engine room to the accommodation block.

It appears that MSC has been very careful not to abandon the ship, as that could launch a costly salvage claim. Instead they have been rotating some crew members to standby fleet mate MSC Giovanni for rest, while ensuring that some crew members remain on the ship at all times. The hired fire fighters from the US have been engaged directly - not as salvors. Another fleet mate MSC Celine is also anchored nearby, and may also be providing facilities. I believe that there are pilots aboard both standby ships, and that they are also being spelled off in rotation.

The tug l'Anse du Moulin may be acting as a shuttle, while Ocean Taiga is standing by alongside the MSC Sao Paulo V, possibly spraying cooling streams.

News is hard to come by, but I will update again of I learn  anything new.

MSC Sao Paulo V in Halifax August 27, 2023.

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MSC Sao Paulo V - FIRE - update #2

 Ship traffic on the St.Lawrence River off the Escoumins pilot station was delayed this morning when fire broke out in the engine room of the ship MSC Sao Paulo V.

The Escoumins pilot station located on the north shore of the St.Lawrence,  255 km (158.4 mi, 137.7 n.mi.) downstream from Quebec City is a busy spot. All ships of any size embark or disembark pilots there for the St.Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers.

The MSC Sao Paulo V was outbound for Sines Portugal from Montreal when the fire broke out near Escoumins and both pilot boats and the nearby icebreaker CCGS Amundsen responded. As a result pilotage operations were halted for a time and some ships had to stand by. 

I have no detailed information on the current situation, but it seems that the fire did not spread to the cargo. The tug l'Anse du Moulin from Baie Comeau was on the scene. It has firefighting capability, but can also provide towing as I assume the ship's engine is inoperable.

The MSC Sao Paulo V has been in Halifax several times, most recently on February 24 when it was on the westbound leg of the trip from Europe to Montreal. Its previous calls were on the Turkey-Greece service on July 4, 2022 and August 27, 2023.

Another of MSC's older ships, MSC Sao Paulo V was built in 1998 by Hyundai Ulsan as Pohang Senator. In 2008 it became CSAV Pyrenees and in 2013 became Pohang.  In 2013 it was renamed MSC Sao Paulo and in 2023 it became MSC Sao Paulo V. Its tonnages come in at 53,324 gt, 63,537 dwt giving a capacity of 4688 TEU. (The Roman numeral has been added to MSC ship's names to categorize the ship by container capacity class. In this case V for 5 indicates that the ship carries more than 4000 but less than 5000 TEU.)

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I will update this post when more information becomes available.

Update #1

From press reports and official statements, it seems that the fire broke out at about 11 pm Sunday, March 3 when the ship was off the mouth of the Saguenay River, near Bergeronnes, QC. The ship lost power and began to drift toward shore. 

The two pilot boats from Escoumins responded and, according to reports (not necessarily reliable), pushed on the ship to prevent further drift and stood by while it was able to anchor. 

The tug Anse de Moulin from Baie-Comeau arrived on scene late morning Monday. A CBC photo shows the tug spraying water on the ship. This appears to be hull cooling - a common tactic for shipboard fires to prevent spread.

The fire was declared under control mid-day Monday, March 4.

The crew of twenty-five was not evacuated, but the CCGS Amundsen was prepared to do that if needed, and deployed a work boat to the ship. There was no report of pollution, and the cargo does not appear to have been damaged.

Two ships, MSC Celine and MSC Don Giovanni stood by presumably to assist if evacuation was needed. There was no indication that they sent personnel to assist.

The ship is anchored, and will need to be towed, but as yet no destinaiton port has been declared.

Update #2 (2030 hrs AST March 5)

Despite earlier reports, the fire aboard MSC Sao Paolo V has spread to the superstructure. The tug Ocean Taiga from Quebec City is now on scene and the two tugs are spraying down the ship. Presumably the crew has been evacuated.

This has become a far more serious event than orginally anticpated, since most fires of this type have not been extinguished without significant damage to ship and cargo.

 I will update this post again if more information becomes available.

 

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More tankers and MSC containers

 Imperial Oil brought in some more product from its source in Antwerp, this time on the Rita M a 28,054 gt, 45,997 dwt ship, built in 2009 by Shin Kurushima, Onishi.

 Originally named Torm Helsingor it was renamed Nord Star in 2013 and became Rita M in 2015. The ship arrived off Halifax August 24 but did not dock until August 26 because the berth was occupied by the coastal tanker Algoscotia, which arrived August 24 and sailed for Sydney, NS on the 26th.

Today (August 27) the tanker Ardmore Seavanguard arrived and anchored for a few hours in the lower harbour. It is carrying product from Rotterdam destined for Montreal, so I am assuming the ship was here for Canadian Food Inspection Agency clearance. Usually the inspection for inasive species, specifically LDA moth, can be done in about five hours.

The Ardmore Seavanguard was built by SPP Shipbuilding Co in Sacheon, South Korea in 2014. It is a 30,030 gt, 49,997 dwt vessel with epoxy lined tanks. It operates in the Ardmore MR Pool. Ships from that pool appear in Halifax about once every two years. Ardmore Shipping (NYSE listed) has 16 ships assigned to the pool.

With the sun breaking through early mist and drizzle, photo conditions were ideal late in the afternoon and early evening. 

MSC Sao Paulo V (that is a Roman numeral V) arrived in late afternoon, and was met by two tugs. Atlantic Bear made up astern as tethered escort and Atlantic Willow went on ahead.

 Once the ship was almost clear of the Narrows, and entering Bedford Basin, the crew sent down a heaving line for Atlantic Willow to attach to its winch line. The Willow then assisted in slowing and turning the ship for the Fairview Cove terminal.

 Atlantic Bear leans in for the turn, and the ship's exhaust gas scrubber housing (adjacent to the funnel) comes into view.

Another of MSC's older ships, MSC Sao Paulo was built in 1998 by Hyundai Ulsan as Pohang Senator. In 2008 it became CSAV Pyrenees and in 2013 became Pohang.  In 2013 it was renamed MSC Sao Paulo and earlier this year became MSC Sao Paulo V. Its tonnages come in at 53,324 gt, 63,537 dwt giving a capacity of 4688 TEU. The ship is sailing on MSC's Turkey/Greece and Mediterranean service, westbound, with its last port at Sines, Portugal.

Despite its age the ship is certified until at least 2027. By that time, as a thirty year old, I expect a host of newer ships will have displaced it in the roster and it will be on its way to the breakers. Meanwhile it can still earn its keep, along with a number of other "seniors" in the MSC fleet.

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