Category Archives: news

Whats Going on at Pier 9?

The Port Authority has issued some press releases, and purchased some land from CN, But has been relatively quiet on what the plans for Pier 9 are. Most of the statements are that the 9D Section will be improved, and that there may be additional sheds, Rail Access, and the addition of container cranes.

Construction has now begun, with Harbour Development having finished dredging work, and McNally construction now working on the pier. Since Projects of this size require an environmental assessment prior to being approved, I requested a copy from the federal Environment Department.

It Reveals a substantial addition to the pier, stretching from the existing pier 9b/9c junction to the Mackay Bridge. It features On Pier rail, which makes sense, since part of the idea was to perform addtional heavy lift operations from the upgraded pier. Also shown is a new shed, parking lot, and on pier gantry crane. All of this infrastructure really formalizes the use of the pier in recent years, as Jumbo Shipping previously exported Locomotives from pier 9, and Nirint Shipping stopped there as well to perform container operations.

Comment From Halifax Port Authority On AFL

I Asked Several questions of the Port, Specifically if they were owed Money by AFL, or are aware if they are Anyone else was owed money by AFL. A Port Spokesperson provided this responce.

“When a Port customer faces financial difficulties, as is happening with AFL, we will deal directly with the company on any outstanding fees as we may be able to resolve the issue directly with them. As this relates to the finances of a private company and can be a legal matter, we will not be speculating at this early point as to what, if any, loss the HPA may incur as a result of AFL ending their service.”

They also declined to comment if other port service providers were owed money by AFL. Inquireies to AFL itself an their agent went unanwsered. UPDATE: It Appears AFL New England was being re-supplied with provisions and fresh water as of noon today.

Halifax Port Authority Buys Land from CN

The Halifax Port Authority has aquired land from CN at both Pier 9 and Halterm. The Halterm land will allow for reconfiguration of the approach road to allow for a smoother turn and Improved cargo-handling efficiencies, particularly for truck operations, through upgrades of the truck marshalling yard and gate complex.

At Pier 9 The land will likely be used to Expand the Pier Area.

Victoria Class Submarine Update

The Much maligned Victoria Class Submarine program is finally making some Headway.
HMCS Windsor is being prepaired to move off the Sychrolift at the shipyard and to be put back into the water. Sources indicate this will happen in April.

HMCS Victoria (Above, DND Photo) has so far made the most Progress. She emerged from Reft, Has been Degaused In bangor washington at the US Navy’s Submarine base, And has Sucessfully dived and fired torpedos.

HMCS Cornerbrook, the One working submarine is tied up in Esquimalt, after suffering damage in a collision with the bottom. It will be going into an extended maintinace period. HMCS Chicoutimi is Also in BC Though heavily damaged by the fire that occured on her delivery trip.

HMCS Preserver Update

CBC News is reporting that HMCS Preserver’s Commander has been relived of command Following the Collision with the Nova Dock.

The Damage to The Nova Dock has been Repaired, as has the Damage to Preserver. Preserver was Seen Docked at the Magazine Jetty in the Bedford Basin, a sign that she is now loaded and ready for duty.

Update: HMCS Preserver was seen operating outside Halifax.

Cruise Season Anounced

The Cruise Ship schedule for 2012 has been released, and Begins in April, with visits by 2 titanic 100th Aniversary cruises. Azamara Journey will visit Halifax on April 12 and On April 16/17, Balmoral will make an overnight stay.

The regulars Carnival Glory and Maasdam are back, and are joined by Disney Magic. The Quest for Adventure, will make two turnaround calls – one on Sept. 16 and another on Oct. 1. These turnaround calls will have passengers begin their cruise from Halifax.

See the Press release here and the Full Schedule

The End of Locomotive Shipments?

Locomotives for the export market have had a long history of shipping through Halifax, primarally on Jumbo Shipping vessels. The Locomotives Orignated at EMD’s London Ontario Facility. EMD was originally the Electro Motive Division of General Motors, but was spun off and sold to the Progress Rail Subsiduary of Caterpiller.

On Friday, Caterpiller closed the plant, after locking out the workers January 1, after failing to get Employees to agre to a 50% Wage reduction. Caterpiller announced a record Quarterly profit of nearly $5 billion, Up 58%

Caterpiller Ships heavy equipment via ACL through Fairview Cove

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.

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