CMA-CGM Bianca with a full load

 CMA-CGM Bianca arrived today, and has to be the most loaded container vessel i can recall seeing in Halifax. It looks as though most of her 8500teu capacity is consumed.

Bahri Jazan puts in.

The Saudi's are here on the Monthly Stop. Mostly containers and RO-Ro cargo are loaded.

We have Gas!

 The Tanker Acadian at Imperial Oil. She is the second of 2 tankers resupplying Nova Scotia with fuel. Note the recently added scrubber added to the back of the Funnel.

The first tanker arrived Friday, and Sailed Sunday. Acadian Arrived on Saturday, and was still unloading today.

Tim Mckeil Works a Barge

The tug Tim Mckeil spent the weekend with a barge at Fairview Cove. They appear to be handling spools of some sort, which have been at the west end of the dock for several days now. Both were gone by last night, presumably to clear space for todays arrivals of Yantain Express and Tokyo Express.

Atlantic Condor at Pier 9

PSV Breaux Tide at Pier 25

The Platform Supply Vessel Breux tide arrived yesterday afternoon at pier 25. On charter to Atlantic Towing, She will be used for Shells Exploritory drilling program in the Shelburn Basin.

The Drill Rig, Stenna Icemax is still in the Gulf of Mexico.

Update 3/09: workers painted out the stern Port of registry and repainted her with Halifax. She is now registered in Canada.

BBC Manitoba

Originally supposed to tie up at pier 9, she took to anchor in the basin on arrival. She may be carrying more drill pipe.

UpDate: She tied up at pier 9 Monday Morning

Follow Up On Sailboat Accident Yesterday.

DFO released the above picture today of yesterdays incident. Reports were of a vessel in trouble, off halifax, and CCGS Sambro Was Responding. The Sambro was noted to be in a position between Conrad's and Lawrencetown beaches, where there appears to be a shoal.

CHS Chart #4237 (Halifax Harbour and Approaches) Refers to the point of land as Fox Point, and the rocks are actually labeled Egg Island.

The Sambro collected the 3 people, and took them to the Government Wharf in Eastern passage where they were tended to by paramedics.

REYKJAFOSS off Halterm this morning.

Photo Contributed by a Reader.

The Last days of the Nova Dock?

The Nova Dock was  moved from the shipyard to Woodside at noon today.

4 Mckiel tugs had  shown up in the past few days, and they appear to be working the Nova Dock. Salvor, Tim Mckeil, Beverly M1 and Lois M are all present, and tied up on the dock, moving it to woodside. the trip left late, at 1pm, and arrived around 6pm.

The Nova Docks Canadian Registry was closed August 18th, And I have been told she has been sold to International Ship Repair of Miami Fl.

The plan is the cut the dock in Half, then tow each half to Florida.
 the dock was built in 2 pieces and assembled on delivery.

Tankers

 
 (Above) Algoma Dartmouth delivers bunkers to Alsterstern
(Below) Elka Sirius and New England tied up at Imperial Oil.

 

No Life Jacket? - Improvise with pants.

No Life Jacket Required

Who needs a life jacket when you've got a good set of pants on? My good friend, Michael Carr, demonstrates the lost art of turning clothing into survival gear (in under a minute). (Note: of course, I am not advocating for not using a life jacket while boating. Life jackets always work better than pants.)

Posted by Mario Vittone - Maritime Risk Consulting on Tuesday, August 18, 2015

German Research Vessel Maria S. Merian Open to public

The German research Vessel Maria S. Merian arrived this morning and tied up at pier 24. The Ship will be working with Dal Scientists in the Labrador Sea.

On Saturday, August 22 (10-4pm) The ship will be open to the public. Visitors will have a chance to meet the crew and some researchers while touring some of the ship’s laboratories, ocean research technology, inner workings and main deck. More Details about the event can be found at at dal.ca/openship
 
Visitors of all ages are encouraged and admission is free, but it’s important to note that all those over 18 must show a government issued photo I.D. to enter the Port of Halifax and board the ship.
This will be the ships 46th expedition. (the 45th Concluding in Halifax) The Dal website offers the Following on the Upcoming trip.

The Labrador Sea is an important region to study climate change, as it’s one of only four areas in the world that act as the “lungs” for the deep ocean. In the late winter, very dense surface waters sink into into the abyss, creating “new” deep water that carries oxygen and fossil fuel carbon dioxide into the ocean. In a very real sense, the Labrador Sea “breathes” in oxygen from both the atmosphere and the surface ocean during these events. Deep currents then deliver this oxygen and carbon dioxide to the deepest layers of the ocean all around the world. Observing this region and this “breathing” process can help scientists better predict changes that can impact climate, ocean health and the future potential of the ocean to take up carbon dioxide released from fossil fuels.

When the MSM arrives in Halifax, the crew will begin setting up for its 46th expedition. Dr. Doug Wallace and his team will then load the SeaCycler on board for deployment in the central Labrador Sea. Designed to withstand the challenging ocean conditions in the region, the $1-million SeaCycler will collect detailed simultaneous data for 365 days on oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, salinity, temperature, depth, and more—giving scientists a never-before seen understanding of how this important ocean region is changing today and what the implications might be for the future. Read more about the SeaCycler here.

In addition to these hydrographic observations, Dalhousie researcher Dr. Stephanie Kienast will be joining investigators from Germany and other Canadian universities on MSM 46. They'll be taking water column and sea floor sediment samples to investigate recent changes in ecosystems, the ocean's biogeochemistry, and the ocean's pollution levels. The team will then compare recent changes to the natural variations before people had an impact on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Labrador Sea.

New Ferry - Craig Blake Arrives.

the Craig Blake arrived from the builders over the weekend and is tied up along the ferry terminal pier at Alderney landing.

(below)Christopher Stannix (left) Craig Blake (right)

Noranda Sarah with turbine blades

The Noranda Sarah tied up behind BBC Moonstone at pier 9 this morning. She has one turbine blade on deck and possibly more in her hold.

Will update when we see what she leaves behind.

BBC Moonstone with drill pipe

The BBC Moonstone tied up at pier 9 and has been unloading drill pipe. This is possibly for use with shells upcoming explorer you drilling program in the shelburne basin.

Another USCG Visitor.

The USCG bay Class Icebreaking Tug Bristol Bay arrived this morning and tied up at Tall Ships Quay. Sister vessels Morrow bay and Thunder bay Have stopped here in the past. These tugs tend to work the great lakes in the winter, and the Atlantic coast in the summer.

The USCG James is due to Depart around 3pm today.

Nagoya Express - another biggie

From earlier this week, Nagoya express made an appearance at Halterm.
This leaves only class name sake Vienna Express to Appear. Budapest Express was here on August 8

Due to Airdraft considerations, these ships may stop at halterm on the return westbound leg.

At Anchor

Macao Straight for Melfi, waiting for pier 41.

Departing Tankers

Asphalt Star outbound for Portland. The smaller Asphalt Spring was outbound for New Haven. earlier today.

Both ships conducted a product transfer yesterday in the basin. the Asphalt Spring had been in port for a week waiting, and the Asphalt Star arrived from Tarragona Spain, and then anchored in the basin to transfer product. Presumably asphalt star is to large to make it to New Haven. This is the third such transfer to occur in Halifax in recent memory.

USCGC James to visit Today

The US Coast Guard Cutter James arrived around 2pm today. She is brand new, having just been commissioned on August 8 in Boston.

The 5th National Security Cutter, at 418' in length they are similar in size to a Canadian Patrol Frigate. They also Use the same 57mm gun. The builder has proposed 2 frigate variants, so this may be a technology show for the Single Surface Combatant to be built under NSPS.

I believe she is the First National Security Cutter to Visit Halifax.

This is Only temporary..

Davie has revealed that the have received the go-ahead to convert a commercial ship to a new Interm replenishment ship.

To be called the  Resolve, She is the former 1708TEU Containership Asterix, which Davie purchased in July for 20 million dollars. The conversion is expected to cost 350 million, and the vessel will be leased to the Navy.

the Converted vessel will carry 2 helicopters,  40teu, 10,000ton fuel tanks. the ship has a cruising speed of 20.5 knots.

United Arab Shipping Co Adds Halifax call starting in October

The United Arab Shipping Company is due to start calling in October. As Part of the Ocean3 Alliance

CMA CGM, China Shipping Container Lines and United Arab Shipping Co. formed the Oceans 3 Alliance in September 2014, and operate  a route between Asia and the east coast via Suez, and another via panama. The new service reportedly originates in Shanghai.

UASC has six 18,800-TEU ships on order and China Shipping is awaiting delivery of five 19,000-TEU units, which will be the largest container vessels afloat. CMA CGM has six 17,700 to 17,800-TEU units on order, scheduled for delivery in 2015.

More to follow.

First stop in Halifax for Budapest Express, and Largest Container ship yet!

Rated at 8749 TEU, she was built in 2010 and is a member of the 3 ship Vienna Express Class.
CMA-CGM Vivaldi recently made a stop in Halifax, and was touted as the largest ship yet. at 8478, she was just bested by 271 TEU.

The Vienna express class are the 3rd larges ships in the Hapag-Llyod  fleet, with only the 9300teu C-Class and the 13000teu Hamburg Express Class above it.

Helga for Nirint

Maersk Pembroke at pier41

More on Container Ship Cruising.

It appears Halifax has just added another Container Cruising Route. Eimskip's Reykjafoss (three single cabins) every 35 days to Argentia and St Anthony NF, three ports in Iceland, Immingham in the UK and Rotterdam. This Cruise is 82euro/person/day

This Follows the recent start of The new CMA CGM Columbus Loop (six ships carrying seven passengers each) via Suez to Malaysia, China, Vietnam and South Korea and then on to Vancouver and Seattle.

And the Existing Options which consisted of Melfi Line's Vera D (one double cabin) every 55 days to Cuba, Mexico and Italy; and Zim San Francisco (three double cabins) every 77 days from Halifax to China and South Korea via the Panama Canal.

This means there will now be about 185 passenger berths on offer on board cargo ships sailing from Halifax each year, where previously it had been fewer than 40. Is Cargo Cruising Popular? With so few cabins Smaller ships tend to fill early, especially ships like Reykjafoss and Vera D, but space is usually available on ships headed to China - there are so many of them these days. It's usually a matter of either being flexible or booking as early as you can.

CruisePeoples most popular route, Europe to/from Australia and New Zealand, is fully booked to mid-2017.



File Photo Above. the ship is now red.

Scotian Sea at Pier 9D

The Big Lift

The first of the really big changes to the bridge are happening over night now. the Pedestrian and bike ways are coming off.

NovaStar finds Winter Work

Word is the NovaStar has found winter work. She will reportedly be running between Kent England and Boulogne France- Basically crossing the English channel.

The NovaStar spent last winter in North Carolina - by laying up there, the ship could be layed up without heating.

More to Follow.

New Cruise - Halifax to Vancouver - on a Container ship

The start yesterday of  CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop service regular call to Halifax, has added a unique cruising opportunity.

the 71 day Cruise is on the eastbound route, and sails sails Halifax – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Suez Canal – Port Kelang – Vung Tau – Hong Kong – Yantian – Shanghai – Ningbo – Pusan – Seattle – Vancouver. This takes 71 days, the longest stretch of which is 37 days from Savannah to Port Kelang. Halifax passengers will board at the Halterm container terminal.

The shorter route is westbound: Vancouver – Nadkhodka – Shanghai – Hong Kong – Yantian – Vung Tau – Port Kelang – Suez Canal – Halifax. The time in transit is 55 days, the longest stretch of which is the last 23 days from Port Kelang to Halifax. Vancouver embarkations take place at the Deltaport container terminal, near BC Ferries’ main Vancouver-Victoria terminal at Tsawwassen.

The scheduled calls to Halifax so far, that can accommodate passengers are:
CMA CGM Cendrillon – August 16
CMA CGM Titus – October 4
CMA CGM La Scala – November 1
CMA CGM Figaro – November 8
CMA CGM Dalila – November 22
CMA CGM Almaviva – December 13
CMA CGM Cendrillon – December 20

Fares including port charges are €100 per person per day. Vessels include a Gym, Library, Pool and Lounge.

For further details on booking a voyage on CMA CGM’s Columbus Loop please contact Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on +44 (0)20 7723 2450 or e-mail cruisepeopleltd@aol.com.

Largest Container ship Yet!

The CMA-CGM Vivaldi arrived this morning at pier 41. at 8500 TEU she is the largest container ship to yet call on Halifax. CMA-CGM will be a weekly stop now going forward.
It looks like there is traffic, as she arrived early this morning, and is due to sail late this afternoon.

HPA Photo. im not able to get out to the pier today.

Fresh Paint

In an earlier post, i mentioned 2 cranes at Halterm didn't appear to be in use.
the 2 Original Post Panamax Cranes at Halterm are rolled to the end of the pier so they can be painted.

they should look just as new as the new ones in a few weeks.

Vera D for melfi

Vera D Tied up at pier 42 today awaiting her turn. Built in 2004, she is flagged in Portugal .

The smaller pair of cranes are out of the way at the end of the pier so she may be waiting for Maersk Palermo to finish.