Transport Canada has announced that effective immediately, they will assume responsibility for initiating and coordinating the COVID Rapid Response Team (RRT). When activated, the RRT will bring together key decision makers in Federal Departments, agencies, and marine industry stakeholders to coordinate the response to a suspected case of COVID-19 in a ship. The RRT includes representatives’ organizations across the maritime industry.   Effective immediately, a ship or its agent can report an onboard illness by telephone or email to the Marine Security Operations Centre at +1 (250) 363-4850 and marsecw@tc.gc.ca.

New short-sea container services are emerging in Canada as terminals and carriers explore ways to reduce trucking and rail use. The Claude A. Desgagnés, a general cargo ship, transported 383 containers on Oct. 20 from the Montreal Gateway Terminals to the Port of Toronto, marking the first cabotage shipment of containers on the route since the early 1980s. The sailing gave shippers an alternative to the tight truck and rail capacity.  While MSC has noted that sailing would not be possible in the St Lawrence between late December and late March due to weather conditions,  DP World is looking at service between the ports of Nanaimo and Vancouver to include a leg connecting to its newly acquired Fraser Surrey Docks.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is seeking applications for one of its Board positions and prospective candidates may apply no later than November 27, 2020. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified and experienced professional to support the progressive development of this important trading gateway.  As per the Statement of Qualifications, current users of the Port of Prince Rupert are excluded from this opportunity. This appointment will be vetted and endorsed by the Port’s Port User Nominating Committee, nominated by the Minister of Transport, and approved by the Governor in Council. Members interested in applying, please contact Robert at robert@cosbc.ca for further information.

Hamilton’s Heddle Shipyards has entered a partnership with Seaspan shipyards, to build steel ship components. Heddle Shipyards will be the primary supplier for ladders, gratings and handrails for Seaspan, who has a contract with the Canadian government to build joint support ships. The deal is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars for Ontario, will see Heddle produce parts for at least three immediate shipbuilding projects, including an offshore oceanographic science vessel and others over the next decade.

We have just learned of Frank Vick’s passing on September 30^th.  Born in England in 1942, he had an impressive waterfront career, starting at sea, and then coming ashore in 1970 in Canada. Frank worked as a Supercargo for many years, later moving in to Gearbulk’s office in their operations department, before joining Western Stevedoring in 1993 as Dock Superintendent at Lynnterm. Frank was later promoted to Terminal Manager in 1998 and retired from Western in 2007. He had a great impact everywhere will be missed by many.

A new Ministerial Order, issued under the Railway Safety Act, restricts train speeds based on cold temperature conditions, instead of restricting train speed based on a winter date range as previously required. Railway companies will be required to develop and submit a Winter Operations Plan specific to each subdivision where higher risk key trains operate. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of derailments during cold temperatures, and to improve the efficiency of Canada’s winter rail operations.

Edmonton-Centre MP James Cumming has introduced a private member’s bill to repeal restrictions on oil shipments from the north coast of British Columbia. Bill C-229, An act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping, was tabled Oct. 28, taking direct aim at Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, passed last year. Cumming acknowledged the bill has little chance of succeeding, but said it was important to send a message on behalf of the Alberta oil industry. Over concerns of severe environmental damage to B.C.’s coastline, a voluntary exclusion zone for oil tanker traffic has been in place along the north coast since the 1970s. Last year the Liberal government formalized the measure with the passing of Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which banned the transport of more than 12,500 metric tonnes of oil between the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border. It is important to note that the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act includes a provision for review.

On the fourth anniversary of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced $64.9M in funding towards 15 projects that will improve sealift and re-supply services in the North. Projects include several improvements to equipment and infrastructure in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. See the full list in their press release here

Democrat Joe Biden has won the US presidency. His projected victory came after four days of suspense over the outcome of last week’s election, with the counting of votes in a handful of battleground states taking more time than usual due to a flood of mail-in ballots. Biden had a 273 to 214 lead in the state-by-state Electoral College vote that determines the winner, having won Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes to put him over the 270 he needed to secure the presidency. Biden has said his first priority will be developing a plan to contain and recover from the pandemic.

The European Union (EU) will impose tariffs on up to $4 billion of US imports in retaliation for US subsidies for Boeing, but have said that it was hopeful of an improvement in trade ties under U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. The decision was given the green light by the World Trade Organization last month and represents the latest in a 16-year US-EU dispute over civil aviation subsidies. Starting earlier this week, the EU will impose tariffs of 15% on US exports of planes and parts and of 25% on a range products including tobacco, nuts, fruit juice, fish, spirits, bags, tractors and casino and gym equipment. The bloc says its main objective is to persuade the United States to negotiate a solution.

Containerized shipments through Indian ports are seeing a stronger than expected rebound after following the covid-19 lockdowns. Total throughput in and out of the country’s ports reached 1.57 million TEU in October, up 9 percent from September and 14.6 percent from August. This also represents a 9 percent increase from October 2019.

Stena Line has move its Nynäshamn ferry terminal to the newly built Stockholm Norvik Port. On November 9, the terminal was officially opened with the first arrival of the vessel Stena Flavia. The new terminal is an important part of Stena Line’s expansion plans in the Baltic Sea that includes the deployment of two new ferries and 30% additional freight capacity.

Construction has started on Ireland’s first 27m Catamaran Wind Farm Service Vessel. The third in Penguin’s Windflex 27 series, the vessel has been sold to Irish operator Farra Marine. The vessel offers excellent speed, deadweight and seakeeping, making it capable of many roles in the Offshore Wind industry. The vessel features two working decks, both with multiple tie-down points for flexibility, and a deadweight above 50t. The Incat Crowther 27 is powered by quad Scania DI16 077M, each producing 662kW. Propulsion is via quad  Hamilton 521 waterjets, and it will have an operating speed in excess  of 29 knots. Penguin Shipyard commenced construction on the 3rd September with delivery expected Q2 2021.