Yearly Archives: 2013

Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Visitors

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For the second time in recent memory, the JMSDF is on a world training tour, and making a stop in Halifax. The JMSDF undertakes to tours to give crews extended sea time. The three vessels arrived yesterday, and moved to the dockyard this morning. The ships Kashima, Shirayuki and Isoyuki will be in Halifax until Thursday, July 11.

(Above) JS SHIRAYUKI in the Anchorage this morning prior to moving to the dockyard. JS KASHIMA had already moved, but was here on the last trip August 2011.

The three-day port visit from the force’s Training Squadron is part of a five-month, 18-country tour fostering intercontinental goodwill.

As a part of the visit, local residents and media are invited to experience Japanese culture through world-class performances by the Squadron’s drum band at Grand Parade Square at 4 p.m. on July 9. Ship tours will be available to the public from 1:30-3:30 p.m. July 8-9 at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Halifax.

3 Proposals for Yarmouth Ferry.

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The province has received business plans from three companies interested in operating a ferry in Yarmouth. The deadline for proposals was Thursday, July 4. The companies that made submissions are Balearia Caribbean, Ltd., P and O Ferries and STM/Quest. STM/Quest also bid on the last ferry rfp (details of that bid Here) Balearia Caribbean is owned by spanish company Balearia – who operates ferries from florida to the Bahmas, and Gibralter to Africa. P&O Ferries, operates several vessels in the English Channel and Irish sea, and is a european contemporary to Marine Atlantic.

A team of representatives from the Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership and government departments will evaluate the plans as quickly as possible. The plans will be assessed based on criteria similar to the request for proposals. Criteria include financial stability, a management structure with expertise and a history of managing successful ferry services, and tourism and marketing experience.

The ferry partnership continues to play a key role by providing expert advice, promoting the opportunity, contacting companies, acting as a local contact and now evaluating plans. 

You can view the Request for Proposals Here (PDF)

OOCL Vancouver – A regular with a New Name

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it looks like Halifax Regular Italy Express, has returned from a work period, and has returned to her pre Hapag Llyoyd name of OOCL Vancouver.

Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL operate a shared service to Halifax. Some OOCL Vessels on the service were operated by Hapag-Lloyd and therefore took Hapag-Llyod “express” names. Presumably the charters ended, and this may be part of the reson why some vessels aggined to the new G6 service made early appearances.

488 Million for new Coast Guard Vessels

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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

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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

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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.

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