The French Cable ship Rene Descartes arrived in halifax for pier 9 today. She was last in Halifax in March of 2012. As a pure cable layer, she does not perform repair work.
Cable Ship Rene Descartes
Leave a reply
Hmcs Athabaskan update
This past week saw Athabaskan tied up at imperial oil to be fueled. This is presumably a pre-requisite for testing engines and mechanical systems.
Yesterday it was reported she returned from some sea trials, so she is able to get out and sail on her own now.
Hagen
The Panamain register Bulker Hagen, who I belive is in for Bunkers. The vessel was built in 2009 and is operated by the Bulgarian firm ‘Ahilleos Maritime-Varna’ LLC.
488 Million for new Coast Guard Vessels
The Chronicle Herald is reporting that the Federal Governmnet has announced 488 million dollars to procure new vessels for the Coast Guard. Minister MacKay made the announcement during the 2013 Mari-Tech Conference, an annual event providing marine engineers and those in the marine industrial community with opportunities to develop their knowledge, stay current with industry development, and network with key industry stakeholders.
The construction of these vessels will be available for competitive bids by Canadian shipyards not selected under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and will provide jobs for small and medium enterprises and shipyards across Canada.
Of the 18-21 vessels, the Coast Guard will procure:
- Search and Rescue Lifeboats
- Specialty Vessels
- Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels
- Channel Survey and Sounding Vessels
- Mid-Shore Science Vessels
- Special Navaids Vessels
Vessels will be constructed over the next seven years and will replace existing vessels of the Coast Guard fleet and will be stationed across Canada based on operational need. This investment is in addition to the larger vessels to be constructed at Vancouver Shipyards, the vessel life extensions and mid-life modernizations for 16 vessels and 2 hovercraft and up to 24 new helicopters.
Since 2009, the Government of Canada has delivered over 100 vessels to the Coast Guard, including: four Hero-class Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels (CCGS Private Robertson V.C., CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., CCGS Corporal Teather C.V, and the CCGS Constable Carrière); the hovercraft CCGS Mamilossa; five Search and Rescue Lifeboats; two Specialty Vessels; three Near-Shore Fishery Research Vessels; 30 environmental barges; and 60 small craft.
Woodward tankers
Today: Travestern, Sister Alsterstern was here 2 weeks ago.
Given her low freeboard, she appears to be loaded, Given her last destination was St John’s, she is likely carying refined product for the Ultramar facility, or is here to get bunkers before hading back to Newfoundland and points north.
First G6 Vessel, on G6 Rotation
The APL Cyprine Arrived around 10 pm last night, and is the first vessel to reach Halifax on the New G6 Service. She sailed Just after noon today, bound for New Jersey.
Halifax previously had visits from Hapag Llyoyd vessels Dalian Express and Yantain Express, which will be assigned to the new G6 service.
Photos to follow in Daylight Tomorow.
On concrete Ships
Readers of G-Captain’s Maritime Monday feature will notice that today features an Article on Concrete Ships throughout the years..
Probably unknown to most, Halifax has a Fero-cement Sailboat.
Ferry updates
It was announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in a replacement vessel for the federally-owned MV Princess of Acadia. Economic Action Plan 2013 provided funding for the new vessel and costs associated with acquiring the vessel. The procurement process to be launched soon will involve the identification and assessment of suitable candidate vessels from all over the world, including Canada.
Travelling the 70 kilometres between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, the MV Princess of Acadia, built in 1971, operates on a year-round basis carrying passenger and commercial traffic with a total of 155 cars and 33 tractor trailers. The MV Princess of Acadia is owned by Transport Canada and is operated by Bay Ferries Limited, a private company. Transport Canada also owns both ferry terminals and supports other private operators who provide ferry services between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia; and Cap-aux-Meules, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec and Souris, Prince Edward Island.
what This means that an off the shelf vessel will be procured, rather then a new canadian build, as was the case with the most recent Marine Atlantic acquisitions. The government also announced funding for upgrades to the caribou and wood isle ferry terminals and new engines for Holliday Island.
10 days remain for bidders to make proposals for a Yarmouth cruise ferry. One of the bidders last time around was QuestNav who have a vessel the Norman Leader. It’s possible that if they do not rebid/are unsuccessfully again that they offer this vessel to the Feds. For more see this post
FLORIJNGRACHT for CFIA Inspection
the genearal Cargo Vessel FLORIJNGRACHT is currently inbound to anchor for Asian Gypsy Mothe Inspection. She is sheduled to sail at 13:30
Photos to follow
Dartmouth refinery to Convert to Terminal
Looks like Imperial Oil is hutting down the refinery, and Converting to a terminal operation, Like Ultramar did previously. this means that Imperial Oil will basically operate a tank farm which recives refined product by tanker, and then distributes it, by tanker, truck or Rail.
This will also mean an end to the Larger tankers Visiting Halifax, as refinded product tankers tend to be smaller then the Crude Oil Carriers.
From the Imperial Oil Press Release:
Despite interest in the refinery assets over the past year, Imperial was unable to attract a buyer to continue operating the refinery. The initial start-up of the converted facilities is planned for later in 2013 depending on progress with facility modifications in the coming months. Decommissioning surplus facilities will be a multi-year process.
The refinery began production in 1918 and has throughput capacity of approximately 88,000 barrels per day. Approximately 200 employees and 200 contractors are employed at the refinery and related terminals. Minimal changes are expected to the operation of the related terminals located at Dartmouth, NS, Sydney, NS, Corner Brook, NL, Sept-Iles, QC and Cap aux Meules in the Magdalen Islands.
