Author Archives: Peter Ziobrowski

NS Tenders for New Grand Passage Ferry

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The Province of Nova Scotia Today issued a tender for the construction of a new 18 car Ferry to run on Grand passage, which is the run between Long island and Brier Island at the end of Digby Neck.

The Route is Currently served by the Joe Casey, Built by AF Theriault in 1995. the Digby neck is also severed by the 2003 Halifax shipyard built Petit Princess, which runs between the mainland and long island. (See those boats here)

Its unclear what the plan for the Joe Cassey is, however she will likely take the place of one of the older ferries in the Provincial highways fleet. its worth noting that the design calls for dual Voith Drives – like the Halifax Harbour ferries use, and unlike the Z drive arrangement used on the current boats.

you can grab the tender documents, Which include a full drawing set at:http://novascotia.ca/tenders/tenders/tender-details.aspx?id=60146868

Group Ocean Moves East – Building Floating Dry dock in Bas-Caraquet

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The New Brunswick government, the New Brunswick Naval Centre, and Group Océan  have signed an agreement aimed at reviving the shipbuilding and repair sector in Bas-Caraquet, which will generate up create up to 77 jobs and stimulate other economic spinoffs.

“Reviving shipbuilding in northern New Brunswick is important for job creation and supporting our provincial economy,” said Premier David Alward. “The arrival of Océan opens the door for shipbuilding and repair work to resume in northeast New Brunswick.”
The  tripartite agreement stipulates that Océan will establish its operations at the Naval Center of New Brunswick through a long-term lease. In the coming months, Océan will begin the first phase of the construction of a floating dry dock with a capacity of nearly 7,000 tons.

The dry dock will be constructed in three sections to reach a total length of 105 metres (350 ft.).
This large-scale equipment, which complements Océan’s current inventory, will bolster the range of services the company offers to customers. The dry dock will also meet the needs of Océan for the repair of its largest vessels. The creation of 57 to 77 jobs over a five-year period is planned under the agreement.

For Comparison, the ScotiaDock 2 was 150m, and the Novadock is 250m. this looks to be poised to bid on non NSPS government business (new naval tugs, etc) and compete for smaller repair jobs with Shelburne ship repair.

File photo above Dredge Ocean Traverse Nord taking in supplies before heading to do contract in the carribean. the Dredge was built at Ocean’s yard in Quebec.

The Panama Canal is 100 today.

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100 years ago today, the SS Ancon was the first vessel to transit the canal. The panama canal was started by the french, who were emboldened by their success building the Suez canal. Panama was very different, and they ran out of money long before they finished digging. The Americans bought the whole operation for pennies on the dollar, adjusted their plans, killed mosquitos, and 100 years ago today succeeded.

David McCullough offers an excellent history of the canal in his book the Path Between The Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 – its arranged in 3 parts – the french attempt, the American attempt, and the political dealings in between. Its a good read, and i highly recomend it.

A New Canadian

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this post is a bit late..
Algoma Hansa tied up at pier 34 in Late July. As the sole foreign flagged tanker in the Algoma fleet, she was purchased with her sister vessel who would become Algosea. Algoma Hansa operated in an international pool of tankers, and was modified for seaway service during her 2013 routine drydocking. She was Canadian registered on July 31.

I caught her this past friday, performing a fire drill.

SNMG-2 Arrives this Morning

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SNMG-2 is Currently inbound. 5 vessels are due, roughly spaced 1 hour apart.

 The First, USS Leyt Gulf took her pilot and should be in town in 40 minutes. (CG-55) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. Commissioned in 1987, shes homeported in Norfolk.

 She is Followed By the Lewis And Clark Class USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13). Classed as a Dry Cargo ship, she is New, having been accepted in april 2012.

The Third Vessel is the Cruiser USS Anzio. Also Ticonderoga Class, She was commissioned in 1992.

Next is the German Bremen Class frigate, F208 FGS Niedersachsen. Commissioned in 1982, this is her last cruise before she is Decommissioned.


The 4th Vessel is the Turkish Frigate  TCG Kemalreis (F-247). She was commissioned in 2000, and built to a German design MEKO-200. variants of the design include the Anzac Class, and vessels used by Greece, Portugal and South Africa.

Photos to follow..

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