Topics

1

Shipping News and information / Shipspotting market ?

« on: January 01, 2015, 02:22:12 AM »

 I am presently writing a short paper on the potential interest in local tourism organization to  upgrade of the local bridge walkways. The  Quebec bridge it self being of clear historic  and touristic value.
I would like to put numbers on the eventual ship spotting activites. Here I believe in Quebec and Canada  ship watching  is still in its infancy when compared to EU .
Likely some of you can provide figures of ships pictures on the Web, Number of ship spotting users on the web. Number of travel for that purpose , number of tourists. there are a few similar bridges used for ship spotting. Likely the authorities have some ideas about the economic impact how ever limited.   For  example how many people do visit Rotterdam  intending ship photography?  
My idea is to compare our activity with the relative impact of bird watching and project interest growth of this hobby.
 Anybody with ideas on this subject?

2

Shipping News and information / Shipspotting from Quebec bridge in jeopardy. It is of the best vantage points

« on: November 11, 2014, 11:34:56 PM »

  The construction of a galvanized steel wall of about 10 feet high encasing the roadways on the Quebec Bridge will block the view on both sides of the river .
This, unless the walkway and bike trail on the bridge is moved upwards from this horrendous contraption. The article in french language. http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/opinions/chroniqueurs/201411/10/01-4817701-une-chape-de-plomb-sur-le-paysage.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B13b_chroniques_25608_section_POS1
 
 Technically those walls might also bring  very many new problems with the snow the rain and a mixture of abrasives. Those being then entrapped between walls will be churned into a very problematic grinding compound sprayed continuously on the cars.

This cantilever bridge is a very stable platform. And constitute the best and nearest vantage point to observe the ships. And as it is now allows for great photos looking downstream and that  with amateur equipment.  And as of now using photo-shop techniques with merging the situation even allows for interesting up-steam captions.

I also question the eventual paranoia from our bureaucrats that might by encasing the walkways in close grids fencing like it was in the 11/11/11 stream of events imposed almost everywhere else spoiling the entire  view.

This situation develops after hundred of millions of taxpayer's dollars were used to build parks and give access to  more than ten kilometres of the river banks on both sides in Levis and Quebec.

3

Shipping News and information / Icebreaker tecnology perspectives.

« on: April 11, 2014, 04:08:03 AM »

http://www.ship-technology.com/features/featurearctic-passage-preparing-the-icebreakers-of-the-future-4193702/

4

Shipping News and information / 2 Neste oil tankers sold to Valero will operate on the St-Lawrence!

« on: March 19, 2014, 03:15:34 PM »

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/03/19/Concordia_Maritime_and_Neste_Oil_sell_their_jointly_owned_ta_1/

5

Shipping News and information / Icebreaking future on the St-Lawrence ;private larger tugs or medium CCGS?

« on: February 01, 2014, 03:38:17 PM »

 I would like to launch this debate!

However I remain for the time being quite unsure about this issue. It was recently brought to light by the St-Lawrence Shipowners Association that the CCGS fleet is in bad shape and not quite up to expectations for both emergencies and ice clearing duties.
 In my opinion large privately owned ice breaking tugs  like the Ocean Tundra or  more powerfull could, money wise, perform the task more efficiently as to  the ice maintenance on  St-Lawrence . It is  I think already largely the case for the harbours.  Fewer large icebreakers relocated from arctic to St- Lawrence for winter could assure the emergency situations that seems to arise every few winters.

I googled for similar situations about the use of large ice breaking tugs around the world but it doesn't make sense as of yet.

6

Shipping News and information / New ship Oceanex Connaigra anchored in the channel an unusual situation!

« on: November 16, 2013, 10:29:32 PM »

Oceanex Connaigra is anchored  in the channel down stream from Quebec harbour, not to my knowlege an anchoring area.  About a quarter mile down river under HQ power lines  crossing from Ile d'Orleans. Tug  Henry Bain  appeared  in attendance from middle of afternoon. Doesn't look like a grounding.
Anybody knows what is going on? Mechanical situation likely?

7

Shipping News and information / Largest ships in each category to reach the Port of Montreal ?

« on: July 18, 2013, 11:56:39 PM »

Likely  questions for the St-Lawrence ships pilots to answer largest ships to reach Montreal!
Largest tanker DWT and oil barrels unloaded ? (109 000 t DWT; NS CONCEPT was photographed recently?)  
Largest container ship ? (Likely to change with  improvements in Montreal for post-panamax)
Largest bulker?
Largest general cargo ship?
largest cruise ship? Aida Luna?
What are the  limitations?
Thank you!

 

8

Shipping News and information / Bulker Yarrawonga accident in progress!

« on: March 22, 2013, 11:54:38 AM »

 Crazy pilot decision!
http://goatysnews.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/singapore-coast-guard-callout-after-bulk-carrier-and-cargo-ship-collide-in-the-straits-of-singapore-200313-1255z/

9

Shipping News and information / Good news and photos from the much expected Bella Desgagnes!

« on: February 21, 2013, 04:04:30 PM »

http://www.informazionimarittime.it/prove-in-mare-per-bella-desgagns-3493
I suggest one uses the Google Translator.

10

Shipping News and information / Interesting tow to come up the river by Quebec USS EDSON and TUG COLONEL

« on: July 29, 2012, 01:51:55 AM »

See this blog . It should be in Quebec tomorrow by 10,30am.
http://forums.radioreference.com/michigan-radio-discussion-forum/244714-uss-edson-bay-city.html
May be a second tug up from Qu

11

Trip reports / Spectacular ice canoe race at Quebec Carnival delayed by Salarium docking.

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:03:08 AM »

Here is a sample for one of the vintage years of this extreme marine sport competition.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/naturepainter/sets/72157629208457911/show/

12

Shipping News and information / Minimal Ice Class requirements on the St-Lawrence river navigation. Baltic sea

« on: January 19, 2012, 03:58:41 PM »

It is a very well documented problem, water intake freezing in fresh water causing main engine to overheat and shut down. There is three things involved here:

 1- There is no ice regulations/requirements on the St-Lawrence river during winter,one would wonder why?, well it's easy, just ask the shipping federation about it and you'll get your answer, they don't want it...and they clearly told the goverment

 2- Some owner send vessel that are not designed for winter, no heat, no cooling recirculation, no gear for the crew... and so on !
 
3- As you all know so well, Foreing flag  vessel allows owners to hire whatever, whoever they want, under god knows what conditions... so you get what you pay for...On the MSC Tia, almost none on board (all Indian crew) had seen snow before...the poor chief engineer was overwhelmed by the situation.

...so who do you think gets stuck with the problem?, the crew and the pilots and in case of an accident,  the public, just imagine one of these ships going aground due to a black out...

Transport Canada knows about that.. they have known this for years... so what's going on ?...
What about a minimum ice class regulation like they have in the Baltic...?

In the end it's all about $$$... until one of them hits a bridge or makes a big mess !

But be sure that the pilots first priority is to ensure the safety of the navigation, the environment, the crew and the cargo.

Following T. Richard post about MSC TIA incident also the usual, frequent and similar happenings for 50, plus, years.
It might be well be that we now have here  an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Potentially, in the form of a major and problematic oil spill through ice floes.
Experts using the historical figures of incidents like the MSC TIA are now well in the  possibility of predicting the statistical probability of such a disaster happening. And I believe, also are able to predict its eventual impacts and costs. This study or similar should even be already in the hands of Canadian Ministry of Transport.

I am under the strong impression, that such an occurrence is rather high if ones take into account the number and size of tankers increasing on the St-Lawrence. Also to be added to those considerations are the minimalist channel maintenance and reduced icebreaker availability.

Such an accidental spill would for sure not only have very major impact on  Canadian environment and economics for the local shipping businesses.  But on top negative overall results would ensue on Canadian environmental politics and sovereignty.
That since the claim of  Canada over control on its Arctic Water passage is justified largely on environmental considerations.


 In the event of a major oil spill on the St-Lawrence for not having taken basic necessary preventive actions Canada would most certainly on international scale loose further face and clout.

This post is not prompted by blind environmental considerations, but rather through my interest in the well being of the Canadian shipping industry.

13

Shipping News and information / TK Bremen stranded off Etel!

« on: December 20, 2011, 01:02:34 AM »

 See this set of pictures by a dedicated  french marine artist


http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philip-plisson-blog.com%2Farticle-etel-08h45-samedi-16-novembre-philip-plisson-est-le-premier-sur-le-site-92817363-comments.html&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philip-plisson-blog.com%2Farticle-etel-08h45-samedi-16-novembre-philip-plisson-est-le-premier-sur-le-site-92817363.html&ei=G-DvTqyUC4jc0QHH6J2lCQ&usg=AFQjCNGYxUx8AFic-QcPjRAYP-vgGHSWIQ!http://www.philip-plisson-blog.com/article-etel-08h45-samedi-16-novembre-philip-plisson-est-le-premier-sur-le-site-92817363-comments.html#comment93834520

14

Shipping News and information / Where in Quebec CCGS new life boat CAP AUPALUK is stationed?

« on: July 16, 2011, 01:23:11 PM »

Cape Rescue AIS is now shown in Kingston Ont. Cape Edenshaw is in NS.? But I cant place the boat CAPE AUPALUK with Siitech?
I am not very familiar with this software.
Anybody can help?

15

Shipping News and information / ELBEBORG maiden voyage to Chicago!

« on: June 29, 2011, 11:36:36 PM »

New Wagenborg Shipping vessel ELBEBORG was seen from Quebec Bridge under the best of lights! She was bound upstream  fully laden for Chicago. I delay  for some time my posting the great photos in the hope to sell exclusive rights to the owners.