In what I believe is an unprecedented evolution, one tanker is transhipping commodity to another tanker, while berthed in the Port. While there have been several notable transfers of cargo between tankers at anchor, I cannot think of a time when the transfer has occurred with the ships alongside.
The product and chemical tanker Basat arrived in Halifax on May 12 in ballast and tied up at Pier 25. It has been idle there ever since.
Yesterday when the Canadian flag tanker Wicky Spirit arrived it first went to anchor, then last evening moved in alongside the Basat. I had thought the Wicky Spirit was in ballast, but this morning I observed a hose rigged between the two ships and over the period of about two hours, and a noticeable decline in the Wicky Spirit's draft. Photo above taken at 10:30 ADT.
Whether the transfer is bunkers, residual cargo, chemicals, or tank washings (slops) I can't tell.
Later this afternoon the Wicky Spirit is due to move to Pier 27, which would normally indicate that the ship will be refueling from trucks.
Addendum: in the end the ship sailed directly from Pier 25 to sea without going to Pier 27.
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