Monthly Archives: December 2015

Container Lines Shakeup

CMA-CGM, the french shipping line, this week purchased NOL, also known as the Neptune Orient Line. NOL are the owners of APL ( aka American President Lines). Both Companies Currently Call in Halifax – APL as part of the G6 Alliance, and CMA-CGM as Part of the Ocean Three (or O3) alliance.

It has been stated that on completion of the transaction, APL will pull out of the G6 Alliance, and Join O3 – this likely means their ships will continue to call in Halifax, Just for the Weekly CMA-CGM Call.

The G6 Alliance will also likely still call, though another line will need to provide vessels to replace the APL Ships. The O3 Alliance is currently CMA-CGM, China Shipping and the United Arab Shipping Co. The Current G6 Alliance members include American President Lines, Hapag Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Mitsui (MOL), Nippon (NYK) and OOCL. the Halifax Legs are currently staffed by ships from OOCL, NYK, Happag-lloyd and APL.

Beverly M1 to ECTug wharf

Mckiel’s Tug, Beverly M1 arrived today and tied up at ECTug on the Halifax waterfront. She left Quebec Nov 16, spent time in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, before arriving in Sydney NS. She departed Sydney yesterday and arrived in Halifax over the Noon Hour.

newest US Warship, USS MILWAUKEE

The Latest Littoral combat ship, LCS5, USS MILWAUKEE arrived in Halifax overnight on her way to her home port. This Variation of the LCS is built in the great lakes built by Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin and commissioned on 21 November 2015.

So far each of the Ships has stopped in Halifax (Freedom in 2008, Fort Worth in 2012) on their way to thier home port. USS Milwaukee’s Home port is San Diego, California.

Shes currently riding at anchor, and is due to move to a navy pier tomorrow.

New Navy Tugs – Charter?

The Navy went looking to Purchase 4 new Large tugs to replace the Glen and Fire Class Boats in 2012. That procurement hasn’t gone anywhere, and the government is now looking at the price and availability  to charter tugs for 5 years, with options on renewal for up to 20 additional years. They are looking at four tugs; Two for the East Coast; and Two for the West Coast.

The Stated requirements are:

•Twin engine/propulsion plant capable of delivering an approximate bollard pull of  40 tons or an equivalent total power of 4,000 BHP;
•Firefighting capability (FiFi 1);
•Full speed of at least 12 knots (fully loaded);
•Draft not to exceed 6 meters;
•Vessels not to exceed 5 years of age at the start of the contract.
•Preferred length overall not to exceed 33 metres;
•The vessels will be operated by a civilian crew holding Transport Canada certification;
•The tugs must have a Transport Canada Certificate of Registration;
•The vessels must meet regulatory requirements to operate in Canada and be in full compliance with the Canada Shipping Act; and
•Daily in harbour operations consisting of hot or cold moves of existing and future warships up to 25,000 tons displacement;
•Assisting in closing harbour gates, delivering supplies or fresh water, buoy operations and other routine harbour tasks

Interestingly, they are looking at both Bareboat Charter, or as a Time Charter. In a bareboat charter, the Navy would crew the vessels and only pay for using the Hardware (Much like leasing a car) the other option would be to provide a fully crewed tug, available on 15 min notice for an hourly rate. this is very much the arrangement commercial shippers use when they pay for tug services. The difference is that the tugs would be dedicated to navy use

Late Arrival – Norwegian Sailboat Flekkeroy

the Norwegians always seem to be the first to arrive in the spring, and are seemingly the last to depart in winter. The lovely, but well worked wooden sailing vessel Flekkeroy is currently tied up at the Museum wharves.

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