Gypsum is one of those products you never think about, but is present in all our lives. Gypsum is a mineral, and is mined heavily in Nova Scotia. Its primary use is the white plaster filling in Wall Board (AKA Dry Wall). Gypsum is mined, and then brought by rail car to National Gypsum on the Bedford Basin, where it is stockpiled, and loaded on to ships.

The Economic downturn was hard on housing, and therefore less wallboard was produced, so less gypsum was as well. Recently An increase in traffic to NAtional gypsum shows that production must Be heading up.

As a bulk commodity, Gypsum is loaded via conveyer into the open holds of the ship. – It is literally poured in. A self unloader makes discharging the cargo relatively fast and easy. Gypsum is a fine poweder, and is not very hard   on ships machinery so gypsum carriers can have a long life.

Above – The Bulk carrier Balder Loads Gypsum.

This Summer has seen Tug’s pulling Barge loads of equipment for the New Voisy’s Bay  hydromet plant under construction in Long Harbour. When the Plant is completed, the Umiak 1 will begin regular calls in Halifax.

Umiak 1 is a purpose built Ice Class bulk carrier that carries supplies to the Mine, and on the return trip returns with nickel concentrate. I suspect the concintrate will go from the mine, to Long Harbour, then completed product from Long Harbour to Halifax.

A Post over at the Monitor brought me back to this post from Last year. In July of last year, the MV Friendship Was tied up at Pier31, and appeard to be loading telephone poles. – rather when she tied up, she was subjected to a State Port Control Inspection.

Port state control inspections are semi random safety inspections, and any defecencies found must be rectified before the vessel is allowed to proceed to the Next port. Have a look at the PDF of what was found.

The Bulker Anapa Anchored in Anchorage 1 Friday. The presence of a tug suggests she had to power down her engine. Vessels at anchor need to maintain a constant Anchor watch, and have power available in case the anchor begins to drag, or then need to move to avoid a collision.

M/V Universal Amsterdam, a 22000DWT bulk carrier, Arrived fro bunkers Yesterday evening and departed overnight. A relatively new vessel, she was launched on 13th January 2009 and delivered Dutch owners Universal Marine in March 2009.

She is A Self Unloader, however this is done via Crane and Clambshell Bucket, And Difers form the self unloaders typically seen at National Gypsum, which feature unloading booms and conveyor belts.