The Tug SCOTT TURECAMO with barge NEW HAMPSHIRE at anchor this morning, surrounded by sea smoke.
Smokey
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Spies!
CBC news is reporting that a naval intelligence officer was arrested for disclosing information to foreign entities. Lt.Jeffrey Paul Delisle is reportededly tasked with monitoring shipping movements in the North Atlantic, and is based HMCS Trinity, which is housed within the Halifax Dockyard.
The navy monitors shipping movements in and out of Canadian Waters. This is done both via satellite and via P3 Auora aircraft. Vessels entering Canadian waters are required to report 24 hours in advance. This maritime surveillance can detect illegal dumping and fishing, as well as smugglers.
Update: speculation. Reports suggest that the information was leaked to the Russians. According to Wikipedia, one of the functions that was transferred to HMCS Trinity was the operation of the sub sea surveillance network, which was jointly developed with the US Navy during the cold war to detect foreign submarines. It was operated from CFS Shelburne, which closed in 1995.
Since the network can detect submarine movements, and it was jointly developed with the US Navy, presumably Canadian naval intelligence knows the positions of US Navy, and Possibly British submarines in the North Atlantic – which would certainly be of interest to the Russians.
MCP Troodos and Onego Chinook
Onego Chinook, currently anchored in the basin, looks an awful lot like MCP Troddos currently at anchor in the inner harbour. this is because they are twins. Both vessels wre built in 2007 by Huanghai Shipbuilding in Rongcheng, China and are managed by Intership Navigation of Cyprus. Onego Chinook was MCP Nicosia until Febuary 2011.
MCP Troodos (ABOVE) is apparently waiting for work, having last departed Trois Rivers Dec 24th. Onego Chinook is Due to dock at pier 27, likely with a load of rail for CN.
Updated now that the weather has allowed me to get a picture of Onego Chinook.
Mirrored Image?
Atlantic Compass passes Atlantic Cartier, while heading outbound. Atlantic Cartier was required to wait for compass to clear the narrows.
2 additional new vessels on PAX Service
OOCL Shanghai, Currently at anchor in the outer anchorage, is due tomorrow for Fairview. She is a new vessel server the the OOCL/Hapag-llyod Pacific East Coast Express service. Other recent additions were covered in a December Post.
Probably the most exciting news is that Halifax Express will Call in Halifax for the first time, March 19. I believe this will be a newly chartered vessel as i can find no record of her currently.
2011 year in review
By far the most popular post of 2011 was Caribou and Smallwood on the Beach in Alang with over 700 direct views since it was posted Nov 1st. Since the blog allows full posts to be to be read without clicking on them many more have read it I’m sure. This only shows the affection these ferries that people have. These to ships stopped for bunkers in August as their last Canadian stop before heading overseas.
In the offshore field, 2011 saw the departures of the platforms PSS Chumul and Rowan Gorilla 3, and the arrival in December of the GSF Grand Banks. Several support vessels from the deep panuke project also made appearances. These Platform posts were also among the most popular – likely because of the unbelievable size of the vessels.
In navy news, HMCS Charlettown departed In March and returned in September from the mediterainian becoming the first Canadian warship to engage an enemy and exchange fire since the Korean war. HMCS preserver also came out of refit, and collided with the Nova Dock a few days latter. Visitors included several US , Icelandic and French Coast Guard, British and American nuclear submarines, British Destroyer, USNS Wright, and a rare east coast visit by the Japanese defence force.
In port traffic, 2011 Saw the start of the American Feeder Lines service, the halfing of Zim’s service and the cancelation of the green alliances service. Cruise traffic picked up again despite several weather cancelations.
Halifax Shipyards was selected as the winner of the Federal Shipbuilding Procurement strategy, Began the Midlife refits on the the Halifax Class Frigates and Unveiled the first Hero class Mid Shore Patrol Vessel.
The port continued various improvements, with work at Pier 41/42 and 9..
And the regulars came and went..
Last of 2011 first of 2012
The last departure of 2011 was the London Express. The last arrival was the Thailand Express who spent the night. Since the port is closed today, She will likely commence cargo operations Tomorrow. The first arrival of 2012 was Halifax regular Atlantic Condor.
Happy New Year!
Thanks for making 2011 the best year yet for Halifax Shipping News. 2012 will be even better.
Stay tuned!
Mississipiborg Grounded Twice in Pictou
Shipwrecks Log is reporting:
The 135 meter long, 8950 dwt container ship Mississipiborg went aground at Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mississipiborg was attempting to leave port laden with kraft paper at low tide in strong crosswind when it became stuck in the silt and sand. The vessel was refloated two hours later on the incoming tide and returned to harbour where it turned around before attempting to leave port again. On the second attempt, the Mississipiborg went aground again a short distance beyond the spot of the first grounding. The vessel remained aground until the high tide where the Mississipiborg was refloated and departed. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.
I will See if I can find photos of the incident.
Tarago
PCTC Tarago turning prior to backing into Autoport. This was her first visit to Halifax. Tarago is a town in NSW Australia. She was built in 2000, and is owned by Wilhelmsen Lines, Which is why she is red in Colour, as opposed to the majority of Wallenus Wilhelmsen Lines Vessels which call, that are green in Colour.
This photo was sent to me by Jamie. If you have photos you want to share, Post them to our facebook wall @ www.facebook.com/halifaxshippingnews
