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CSL Spirit - back again (updated)
CSL Spirit arriving in Halifax for the first time May 28, 2001.The largest bulk carrier under the Canadian flag arrived in Halifax for a rare call today to take bunkers. CSL Spirit was a regular...
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Ships named Chebucto
Before there was Halifax, there was jipugtug - the big harbour - in the language of the local Mi-'kmaq population.[ Here it spoken at: http://www.mikmaqonline.org/servlet/words/Jipugtug.html ]. The...
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C.T.M.A. Vacançier calls in the big guy
After my feature on C.T.M.A. ferries on February 13 http://shipfax.blogspot.ca/2015/02/ctma-mulls-fleet-replacement.html , the ferry C.T.M.A. Vacançier has again asked for icebreaker assistance in...
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San Fernanado Rey for Nirint
Nirint Shipping may be giving its regular ships a winter vacation, because today's arrival is not one of their usual ships. In fact it appears to be a spot charter for this trip from Moa, Cuba to...
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Harbour Work Boats (of yore) - Part 1
Several small work boats ply the waters of Halifax Harbour on a daily basis.One operator of these boats is the Port itself. Since 1999 the operating organization has been called the Halifax Port...
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Harbour Workboats (of yore) - Part 2
One of the longstanding harbour operators was Walter Partridge a justifiably famous salvor. From his headquarters at the Western Union Cable wharf, his company Atlantic Salvage Ltd was on standby to...
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Eimskip adds sailings
Eimskip, the Icelandic shipping company that celebrated its 100th anniversary January 14, 2014, has combined its previous Red Line and Green Line into one service, called the Green Line. Ships will now...
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A switch for Tasman Strait
Melfi Lines'Tasman Strait arrived on Monday February 16 and tied up at pier 42 as usual. This is the fourth voyage for the ship on Melfi's Europe/ Halifax/ Cuba run. By Friday the ship was still at...
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Gypsum - Part 1 - on the rebound for Milford
The recent announcement that National Gypsum will be expanding its quarry in Milford to ensure economical excavation bodes well for the future of gypsum shipping from Halifax. The existing open pit...
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BW Leopard at I.O.4
The tanker BW Leopard arrived at Imperial Oil's number 4 dock this morning. Heavy sea smoke and sun rising directly behind the ship prevented a better photo. Built in 2011 by SPP Shipbuilding in...
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Harbour Miscellany
HMCS Charlottetown - cold day for boat workA thin skim of frozen spray coats the hull of Charlottetown as it arrives this afternoon to disembark some of its people. There is frozen spray on the...
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Harbour Workboats (of yore) - Part 3
Of the many small craft working the waters of Halifax harbour, one unique vessel was the Nan + Greg. Built in 1961 in Lower l'Ardoise, NS, at the mouth of Chedabucto Bay, it operated from the area of...
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Shedding at pier 9A
Q: Snakes shed their skin and lobster shed their shells, so what do sheds do?A: The transit shed at Pier 9A is shedding its skin in preparation for a major rebuilding, as the port continues to make...
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Gypsum - Part 2 - no rebound for Hantsport
The expansion of the National Gypsum quarry in Milford, NS (see Part 1) solidifies the future of gypsum shipments from the company's facilities in Halifax. A recovery of the US economy, and a low...
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Ships Named Halifax - Halifax City
One of the oldest shipping lines was the Bristol City Line (BCL). Originally started in 1704 it finally disappeared in 1974. The line was owned by Charles Hill + Co, which also had interests in...
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Barkald - one frozen gypsum to go please
Barkald has rounded George's Island to the east, and the ferry Woodside I has just left the Woodside Terminal for Halifax, and will make a wide loop to pass astern of the gypsum carrier. Several of...
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Big bulker for bunkers (or maybe not)*
An unusually large and fully loaded bulk carrier put in for bunkers early this morning. Frontier Discovery is operated by the giant Japanese company NYK Lines under the Japanese flag. Built in 2010 by...
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C.T.M.A. Vacançier makes for North Sydney
After three days trying to reach Souris, PE, C.T.M.A.Vacançier returned to Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands and has now set out for North Sydney.In what may be an unprecedented move, the ship will...
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Products and tankers
After unloading at Imperial Oil the tanker BW Leopard anchored in the harbour yesterday for bunkers and sailed in the late afternoon.Built as Elandra Leopard by SPP Shipbuilding Co in Tongyeong, South...
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World's largest reefers once called in Halifax
The prestigious Port Line, founded in 1914 as the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, took its name in 1936 when it was acquired by Cunard Steamship Co. They participated with ships of the New Zealand...
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