BBC Chartering christens second
LakerMax, BBC Houston
BBC Chartering has christened the second in the series of fifteen 13,000 dwt LakerMax multipurpose triple-deckers, the BBC Houston. The christening was held at the Port of Houston.
Prior to the naming ceremony, the BBC Houston had concluded her maiden voyage from China to New Orleans, Louisiana, delivering a load of air coolers and accessories. The vessel subsequently called several berths in Houston to pick up cargo before proceeding to the Manchester Terminal for the completion cargo and the ceremony. Following the celebrations, the BBC Houston immediately commenced her next voyage, with Kolkata, India being her next destination. She is expected to trade into the Great Lakes in the future.
“Naming the BBC Houston in her namesake port after completion of her maiden voyage felt like more than the right thing to do,” said Tim Kopfensteiner, President and CEO of Houston-based BBC Chartering USA. “It was a real pleasure to finally see this ground-breaking vessel for ourselves, and being able to show it to our customer friends and partners made us really proud.”
“It was an honour to be a part of this celebration and I hope she will serve and protect her crew for many years to come,” said Daniela Pena Kopfensteiner, the godmother of the BBC Houston, who works as a chartering broker at BBC Chartering USA.
Like her sister vessels, the BBC Houston is a multipurpose triple-decker with a lifting capacity of up to 500 metric tons. Her optimized deck layout and forward location of the bridge and accommodation allow for an unobstructed 2,830 sqm of space on the weather deck, with 26,000 cbm and 5,500 sqm covered floor space. In addition, her fuel consumption is less than that of vessels of comparable dimensions. This combination reduces GHG emissions per freight ton carried by up to 30 per cent.
Damen to deliver two electric ferries to City of Toronto
Damen has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada
Damen has signed a contract with the City of Toronto in Canada for the delivery of two ferries. The fully electric vessels will provide a major boost to sustainability in the region. They will operate between the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands, a major tourist destination, located in a high traffic area close to the shores of Lake Ontario.
Damen is building the Toronto Ferries at its Galati yard in Romania, to a design produced by Quebec-based Concept Naval. The naval architect company has developed the vessel design over the last two years in close cooperation with both the client and with Damen.
The ferries will be 50 metres long with a maximum beam of 13 metres. One of the vessels will transport passengers and vehicles, and the other passengers and bicycles.
“We chose Damen for this new building project due to their outstanding track record,” said a City of Toronto spokesperson. “After a comprehensive RFP process, Damen emerged as the top-ranked supplier, excelling in critical areas such as experience, operational capabilities, engineering expertise and competitive pricing.”
Damen’s Product Director Ferries Henk Grunstra says, “The City of Toronto is taking a big step forward for reduced emissions public transport with these new ferries. Fully electric vessels represent an ideal solution for a short route such as this one, within easy reach of charging infrastructure. We are looking forward to the construction of these ferries and to a successful collaboration with the City of Toronto and Concept Naval.”
Eric Garant, Director General of Concept Naval says, “As a naval architecture firm, Concept Naval is proud to partner with Damen on the innovative 100% electric ferries for the City of Toronto. This project is designed to meet the needs of the City and the many users traveling to the Toronto Islands. Through the combined expertise of Concept Naval and Damen, we aim to provide a sustainable and efficient maritime transport service, at the forefront of technology, contributing to a greener future for the Toronto community.”
The Toronto Ferries will be the 23rd and 24th ferries that Damen has delivered to Canada in the last ten years. Examples include a number of fully electric and hybrid vessels as Damen works towards its goal to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider.
Fall Boatnerd Mini-Gathering in the Soo Oct. 3-6
If you are in the Soo Oct. 3-6, join us for a Fall Boatnerd Mini-Gathering. On Friday afternoon there will be a special Boatnerd locks/river cruise courtesy of Original Soo Locks Boat Tours (see image). This is a very informal event, just another chance to get together before winter. https://www.facebook.com/events/1037156117917546
Your guide to freighter watching in southeast Michigan: What to know
Detroit, MI – Horsepower, booming horns and big waves off the Detroit River: For freighter watchers, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Freighter watching, where people observe and photograph ships crossing waterways, has a loyal following in Detroit and Windsor, thanks to the Detroit River bordering both cities.
Marty Flore’s love of freighters on open water started when he was a teenager and his dad sailed the Great Lakes. “I’ve even got to go on some freighters with him,” said Flore, 69, of Windsor.
That long ago experience ultimately led Flore to organize in 2019 the Detroit River Freighters, a Facebook group of nearly 3,000 Boatnerds that share photos of ships they find on the Detroit River and meet up when a unique ship comes to town.
The group, which includes members from Canada and Michigan, has become a place where people along the Detroit River can easily come together to share their passion for big ships.
“We were over there in Detroit a few weeks ago. You guys got the riverwalk now and you can see everything from there,” Flore said.
Whether you’re new to freighter watching or just looking for some new tips, here’s what metro Detroit has to offer:
How to track ships
The first step to shipwatching is using a ship traffic website. This ensures you know what ships are close and where to get the best view. To check freighter travel in Michigan, visit the MarineTraffic.com website. This automatic identification system tracks ships globally and tells you where ships are coming from, where they’re going and at what speed.
What to look for
Look for differences between the ships, including the ship’s origin, cargo and speed. Certain vessels are made to transport unique and special cargo. If that’s more than you care to know, skip the details and just watch the ship calmly glide across the water.
There are many areas to spot a freighter on the Detroit River. Here are three popular ones:
Riverside Park: The 29-acre park on Detroit’s southwest riverfront is equipped with soccer fields, picnic areas and a basketball court. It’s a great location for catching freighters. Riverside Park is located at 3085 W Jefferson Ave.
William Livingstone Memorial Light/Belle Isle: While visitors of Belle Isle cannot access the inside of William Livingstone Memorial Light, you can see the freighters pass behind the lighthouse off the shore. Belle Isle is located at 2 Inselruhe Avenue in Detroit.
Belanger Park: The 9.5-acre park located at 1 Belanger Park Drive in River Rouge is a destination for freighter-watchers to watch ships travel across the Detroit River. The park has a waterfront gazebo, two picnic pavilions, a walking path and a play area for children. Visitors can see freighters from the boardwalk.
For shipwatchers who don’t want to leave their home, the Detroit Historical Society allows viewers to watch freighters pass on the Detroit River using the RiverCam. The camera is mounted on the roof of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and streams 24/7 live on Youtube. https://detroithistorical.org/dossin-great-lakes-museum/detroit-river-watch-webcam
Editor’s Note: Another great way to find out about the boats is to pick up a copy of the annual field guide Know Your Ships: Guide to Boats and Boatwatching on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Order at knowyourships.com
Detroit Free Press
Marine Mart planned for Oct. 12
The Great Lakes Maritime Institute will host its 43rd annual Marine Mart Oct, 12 in St. Clair Shores, MI. See the flier in the photo gallery for details.
