A lightly loaded Vera D arrived for Melfli Lines and tied up at Halterm this afternoon. The ship is en route from Italy, Spain and Portugal for Cuba. This is its 15th trip for Melfi - Voyage #1 was November 24, 2014.

The 17,188 grt, 22, 513 dwt ship can carry 1519 TEU. It was built in 2004 on a hull by Daewoo Managalia, Romania, and completed by J.J.Seitas in Germany.  Launched as Pyxis it was renamed Maersk Veracruz on delivery to Peter Doehle Schiffahrts of Hamburg. It became Vera D in 2009.

Federal Oshima completed loading its cargo of wood pellets and sailed for Immingham, UK this evening.

Surely there is a way that such cargoes can be loaded without creating so much dust.

CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell left port for SAR exercises offshore. The Newfoundland based Search and Rescue vessel has been seconded to Halifax for the last several weeks.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell sails with the old Coast Guard base in the background where the idled Jones Tide is tied up.

 Built in 1985 by Marystown Shipyard, it was originally a supply boat, ordered on spec by the Newfoundland government to keep the shipyard afloat. In 1986 the government of Canada acquired it and converted the ship for SAR duties.

The new SAR ships will have helicopter capability. A CCG helo laded service techs on George's Island this morning. 

 

A replacement for the ship is among five SAR vessels to be built by Seaspan under the  National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, but it it is several years off into the future, after Seaspan builds the Joint Support Ships for the navy, the Polar Icebreaker John G. Diefenbaker (to be renamed by the current government one expects-can you guess the new name?) and Ocean Research vessels.

Speaking of replacements there is still no word on how the navy plans to replace its Glen class tugs. Glenevis was going about its business in the harbour today, still in fine condition, but underpowered by today's standards.

 The new tugs will not be part of the NSPS program, and several Canadian yards have expressed interest in building the new boats.

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Vera D, Voyage 001 for Melfi

Vera D is on its first voyage for Melfi Lines. Although slightly smaller than the other new ships that have joined Melfi recently, it is similar in most respsects.

Chebucto Pilot accompanies Vera D outbound this afternoon. 

The ship will swing to port to take the western deep water channel, keeping the eastern channel free for the inbound HMCS Montreal (see later post)

Laid down by in 2004 by Daewoo Mangalia it was completed by the German Sietas shipyard. That probably means that the hull was built by Daewoo's yard in Romania and towed to Germany for completion. 
It measures 17,188 grt, 22,613 dwt and has a container capacity of 1719 TEU. It is fitted with three 45 tonne cranes to work containers or other cargo.

It is owned by Peter Doehle Schiffs. of Hamburg and has carried two previous names. Launched as Pyxis it was renamed Maersk Veracruz on delivery. On completion of a five year charter in 2009, the owners saved on paint by renaming it Vera D. Melfi does not appear to be entering into long term charters, so it is seems unlikely that the ship will be renamed this time.

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