COS Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 2 September 2022

The Canadian Merchant Service Guild (“CMSG”) commenced legal strike action against Seaspan effective August 25, 2022 at 12:01 pm.  As of August 31st labour action affected the arrival, departure and bunkering of five cruise ships and three bulk vessels. According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority all activities with respect to these vessels have now been resolved and all marine cargo terminals and cruise ship facilities are operational. Picketing activity on the waterside affecting vessels at Westshore Terminals has also stopped. Alternate tug operators are now able to service vessels at the terminal.

Minerva Bunkering says its marine refueling operations are still taking place in the Canadian West Coast Port of Vancouver despite the disruption from a strike by the Canadian Merchant Services Guild (CMSG). The strike, which began on August 25, is impacting Seaspan’s marine transportation business and as a result all 30 of the Port’s Seaspan-owned tugs are out of service. Over the last week a number of vessels have seen delays to their arrival, departure or bunkering deliveries, local reports indicate. “Our bunkering operations are not impacted by this strike”, Captain Christopher Roberts, Head of Sales – Americas, Minerva Bunkering told Ship and Bunker. “Minerva Bunkering’s marine fuel deliveries are continuing with delay and we are stepping in the support clients affected by the present disruption in every way possible”

As the COVID-19 situation evolves and the reporting requirements related to the marine industry is changing, the Ship Safety Bulletin (SSB 02/2021) was modified in regards to the reporting requirements when any person or crew member on board has a serious illness or any COVID-19 symptoms. The revised SSB: Request for notification of any person or crew member on board that has a serious illness or any COVID-19 symptoms - SSB No.: 02/2021 (modified August 12, 2022).  Foreign flagged vessels and Canadian Flagged vessels, other than cruise ships, arriving in Canada from international voyages are reminded to inform Transport Canada of any illness when submitting the 96 Hour Pre-arrival Information Report (PAIR) and advising Transport Canada of any illness or change in crew health in accordance with the Special Marine Security Notifications in force.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) opened its newly constructed CCG Hardy Bay Base in Port Hardy, British Columbia this week. CCG worked closely with the Kwakiutl First Nation and the District of Port Hardy throughout the planning and construction of the new facility funded under the Oceans Protection Plan. The new 16,000 sq. ft. building and property consist of office and meeting spaces; storage space for environmental response, vessels, and aids to navigation equipment; as well as a large drive-on floating dock for easy loading of specialized pollution response vessels and other Canadian Coast Guard ships.

A dedication to service ceremony was also held for the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Pachena Bay, a High Endurance Self-Righting lifeboat that has been operating in BC since 2019. The vessel is one of 20 lifeboats that were constructed and delivered under the National Shipbuilding Strategy to provide the Canadian Coast Guard with safe, modern, and Canadian-made equipment needed to deliver all Canadian Coast Guard programs and critical services on behalf of Canadians.

Today, California Governor Newsom signed a new emergency proclamation in response to the heat wave California is currently experiencing and probable related energy shortages. Auxiliary engines on ocean-going vessels are not required to use shore power starting on Saturday, September 3^rd and lasting through Wednesday, September 7th. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) has confirmed with the Enforcement Staff of the Air Resources Board that all previous Heat Emergency Event protocols followed in 2020 and 2021 events should be followed by vessels during the current event as well. Fleets should note this Emergency Event in their report and keep all supporting documentation.

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. has signed a ten-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales and purchase agreement, valued at more than one billion US Dollars, with Shell NA LNG, LLC (Shell) to supply ten LNG-fueled vessels that will be deployed on ZIM's flagship ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP), on the Asia to USEC trade. These ten 15,000 TEU vessels are expected to enter into service during 2023-2024 and will be transporting goods from China and South Korea to US East Coast and the Caribbean.  LNG is the lowest carbon fuel available at scale today and it provides ~20% less GHG emissions when compared to conventional marine fuels

The Ocean Cleanup has revealed that 75% to 86% of plastic debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) originates from fishing activities at sea. Plastic emissions from rivers remain the main source of plastic pollution from a global ocean perspective. But plastic lost at sea has a higher chance of accumulating offshore than plastic emitted from rivers, leading to high concentrations of fishing-related debris in the GPGP.  These findings confirm that oceanic garbage patches cannot be cleaned solely through river interception and highlight the potentially vital role of fishing and aquaculture in ridding the world’s oceans of plastic.

The Ocean going tug, De Hong, was in Prince Rupert to tow a disabled and laden bulk carrier across to China to effect repairs.

Flag: China
LOA: 96.37 M
Breadth:  16.40 M
GRT:  3170
Bollard Pull : 1813 kn
Ship Bullder : Donghai Shipyard Shanghai P.R.C
Power of Main Engine : 5760kw X 2 (BHP 15680)
Ship’s owner:  Shanghai Salvage Company.