Heads up for humpbacks

Credit: Nicole Le Baron, June 5, 2019

Since June 1, marine mammal observers working for the ECHO Program have spotted humpback whales almost every day in Boundary Pass. Slow moving humpbacks are highly susceptible to vessel strikes. Mariners are encouraged to report all marine mammal sightings to the Whale Report app and to download the WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) app to be informed of where whales are in order to reduce the potential for collision and disturbance. The WRAS app will send you a text whenever there is a whale is within 10nm of you. Find out more here.  

Green Marine expands participation and priorities

Green Marine has released their participants’ 2018 sustainability results. The program has 133 participants – up 12% from last year. Participants rank their efforts on a 1-to-5 scale based on the detailed criteria addressing greenhouse gas emissions, community impacts, garbage and waste management, and other prioritized environmental issues. 144 reports were submitted for 2018 with some participants filing for more than one type of business activity or distinct locations, a 17% increase from last year. Read the full report here: https://green-marine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2018Perfo_Report_WEB.pdf

Halifax launches vessel forecast report

The Port of Halifax has launched a vessel forecast report that enabling better scheduling of labor and yard preparation leading to improved cargo flow. The report is generated by a tool developed with the port by Copenhagen-based eeSea, which provides forecasts up to 30 days in advance of each vessel scheduled to call. The data, which is posted on the port’s website, enables users to see the scheduled arrival date, the forecast arrival date, and the difference between the two.

First Canadian woman appointed to captain major cruise ship

Quebec-born Wendy Williams is set to make history as the first Canadian female captain of a major cruise ship when she takes the helm of Virgin Voyages' newest ship. Williams will be the master of Scarlet Lady, set to sail next spring. Williams has more than 28 years of experience working on ships and started her career on a commercial fishing boat. She has held roles as a deckhand, ferryboat captain, and working on the bridge of other cruise ships. Fewer than 3 percent of the world's mariners are women, and the company announced last year that it plans to bridge the gender gap in leadership roles. Along with Williams, almost a dozen female officers and engineers have been recruited to join Virgin Voyages. 

CP opens new Vancouver Automotive Compound

Canadian Pacific has used a strategically placed land holding as the home of its new Vancouver Automotive Compound (VAC). The VAC is in a prime location to handle vehicles made in North America for distribution in British Columbia, northern Washington State and parts of Alberta, as well as vehicles imported through the Port of Vancouver. The facility is built on 19 acres of CP-owned land adjacent to CP's Vancouver Intermodal Terminal. The compound has capacity for 36 multi-level auto racks and has nearly 1,200 bays for vehicles. CP has deployed a new yard logistics system that automates yard processes and supports real-time inventory reporting to give customers better visibility of their shipments. It also strengthens CP's damage prevention processes by enabling immediate uploading of inspection images. This new system was introduced in Vancouver and is being rolled out to all CP automotive compounds.

BC Ferries launches new vessel for Great Bear Rainforest route

BC Ferries has launched the Northern Sea Wolf, a newly-acquired and renovated, 246-ft-long vessel that can carry 150 passengers and crew, and 35 vehicles. The vessel, previously known as the Aqua Spirit, was originally constructed in 2000. In 2017, BC Ferries bought the vessel for $12.6 million from its owner in Greece. A complete refit of the vessel was conducted at a facility in Richmond, where modernization work entailed a new galley, bridge, electrical generators, HVAC system, washrooms, elevator, chair lifts, and new cafeteria and passenger accommodation area. The total cost of the vessel is $76 million, including $15.1 million in funding from the federal government. The vessel will service the recently renewed route with non-stop service between Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island to Bella Coola.

Algoma completes buyout of Oldendorff interest in CSL International Pool

Algoma Shipping has completed the acquisition of the interest of Oldendorff Carriers in the CSL International Pool, including the three vessels owned by Oldendorff operating in the pool. Algoma’s interest in the pool has now increased to approximately 40%. The three vessels, handysize bulker Alice Oldendorff and panamax bulkers Harmen Oldendorff and Sophie Oldendorff, have brought Algoma’s ocean going self-unloader fleet to eight vessels operating in the pool.

Appointments to the Prince Rupert Port Authority Announced

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport has announced the appointment of Rita Carla Andreone as director for a term of 3 years, and Kenneth Bruce Clayton as director for a term of 3 years to the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The appointees come from diverse backgrounds, with experience in a number of fields, and are active members of their communities. They bring a wide array of knowledge and senior executive and corporate governance expertise to their transportation positions.

New Guidelines on Fatigue

Transport Canada has issued a new Ship Safety Bulletin on the IMO’s new Guidelines on Fatigue. The revised guidelines can be accessed here: http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Documents/MSC.1-Circ.1598.pdf

Royal Caribbean lowers profit outlook due to Cuba cruise ban

Royal Caribbean Cruises has lowered its profit outlook following the Trump Administration’s ban on American cruises docking in Cuba. While the affected sailings impact only 3 percent of the company’s 2019 sailings, they have indicated that the regulatory change will lead to a reduction to the adjusted EPS for 2019 in the range of USD 0.25 to USD 0.35 per share.

Port Infrastructure Development Grants in the US

US Congress has authorized $292.73 million for Port Infrastructure Development Program grants to provide grants for a broad range of improvements within, or around, coastal seaports to improve safety, reliability, or efficiency. The grant funding is broken down into two categories: $200 million is available for infrastructure improvements at all coastal seaports, and $92.73 million is allocated to fund improvements at the 15 coastal seaports that handled the greatest number of loaded foreign and domestic TEUs in 2016.

Tanker attacks in Gulf of Oman stoke security and oil fears

Two oil tankers were attacked and left adrift on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman, driving up oil prices and leading to fears of a new confrontation between Iran and the US. The crew of the Norwegian-owned Front Altair abandoned ship in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran after a blast that set the ship was ablaze. The vessel was carrying 75,000 tonnes of petrochemical feedstock naphtha. The second ship, Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, was hit twice over a three-hour period. Its crew were also picked up safely. Iranian search and rescue teams picked up 44 sailors from the two damaged tankers and took them to the Iranian port of Jask. There were no immediate statements apportioning blame nor any claims of responsibility.

CMA CGM to Add 20 LNG-Fueled Ships by 2022

CMA CGM has reiterated its commitment the reduction of its carbon footprint. The group will have taken delivery of a total of twenty LNG-powered containerships by 2022, including nine 22,000 TEU mega-ships. Since 2018, CMA CGM has accepted delivery of its first two LNG-fueled vessels.

Sunken supply Ship off the coast of Singapore will not interfere with vessel traffic

In February, the Ocean Cooper 2 capsized and sunk off the coast of Singapore. MPA Singapore has since the incident completed a hydrographic survey of the wreck site and determined that the wreck will not affect vessel traffic. The wreck is located 41 meters below the sea surface, significantly deeper than the deepest draught of transiting vessels, which is 22 meters below the sea surface. MPA Singapore will update its nautical charts to indicate the location of the wreck and issue a Notice to Mariners to keep the maritime community updated.

Vard secures contract for 2nd coral expedition vessel

Vard has secured a contract for the design and construction of another passenger ship for Australia’s Coral Expeditions to be named Coral Geographer. The vessel will be the fifth expedition cruise ship in the company’s fleet. The vessel will be developed by Vard Design and delivered by the end of 2020. Along with its sister vessel, Coral Adventurer, Coral Geographer will be designed to meet the growing demand for coral expeditions in the Australian cruise market. Featuring a gross tonnage of 5,599 tons, each of the ships has a capacity for 120 passengers and 48 crew members.

Finland opens biggest LNG terminal in the Nordics

The biggest LNG terminal in the Nordics opened in Röyttä Harbour, Tornio, Finland, earlier this week. The Tornio terminal is equipped with bunkering stations for LNG vessels, regasification equipment for liquefied natural gas, as well as a storage unit that is 50,000 m3 in volume. The new facility will strengthen LNG’s security of supply for shipments to Northern Finland and Sweden.