Tug WILDFLOWER departed Erie at 0630 this morning bound up the lake for Michigan. The little bit of history on the tug WILDFLOWER that I have been able to find lists her at 75.5 feet long, 20.1 feet wide, and 560 horsepower, built at Avondale, Louisiana in 1940.
The next biodiesel tanker is scheduled to be the CLIPPER LANCER, which is set to arrive between July 4th and 6th. The CLIPPER LANCER is a sister to the CLIPPER TOBAGO, which loaded the first cargo last December.
Also, over the past few days this blog has been spammed by an anonymous poster who continues to bash the shipment of biodiesel overseas. Therefore, I have decided to enable comment moderation for anyone who wishes to comment on this blog. I regret that it came to that, but it was the only way to end the spamming.
Showing posts with label Clipper Tobago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clipper Tobago. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Biodiesel Shipment Update
PANAM FLOTA is due in Montreal later this evening to unload her cargo of petroleum products. After unloading the vessel will sail to Erie to load biodiesel. In preparation for the load, CSX has 24 loaded tank cars stored on a siding on Erie's bayfront which will be moved to the Mountfort Terminal to load the vessel.
The PANAM FLOTA's visit will be shorter than the visit last December by the CLIPPER TOBAGO, as most of the the 3,000,000 gallons the PANAM FLOTA will be loading will be ready for the vessel. When the TOBAGO loaded last December, the cargo was not completely ready and in order to fulfill the order and get the vessel out of the Seaway before closing, Lake Erie Biofuels was forced to buy some of the biodiesel from other plants and have it shipped in to finish the load on the vessel.
Although the PANAM FLOTA's time in port will likely be shorter than the TOBAGO's, the actual load time on the FLOTA will be longer, as the load the FLOTA is taking is double the size of the first biodiesel shipment.
I will continue to follow this story and update as it develops.
The PANAM FLOTA's visit will be shorter than the visit last December by the CLIPPER TOBAGO, as most of the the 3,000,000 gallons the PANAM FLOTA will be loading will be ready for the vessel. When the TOBAGO loaded last December, the cargo was not completely ready and in order to fulfill the order and get the vessel out of the Seaway before closing, Lake Erie Biofuels was forced to buy some of the biodiesel from other plants and have it shipped in to finish the load on the vessel.
Although the PANAM FLOTA's time in port will likely be shorter than the TOBAGO's, the actual load time on the FLOTA will be longer, as the load the FLOTA is taking is double the size of the first biodiesel shipment.
I will continue to follow this story and update as it develops.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Port Shipping Picks Up
The 2008 season stands to be a good one for the port of Erie's international business. Already, one saltwater vessel, the STELLANOVA, has been in port to unload machinery.
Sources within the plant at Lake Erie Biofuels report that the PANAM FLOTA should be arriving during the week of May 11 to load biodiesel for Europe. This will be the second load of biodiesel to be shipped through the port; the first one went out onboard the CLIPPER TOBAGO last December.
Several loads of biodiesel should be headed for Europe this season. Also, in October GE reportedly plans on shipping 25 locomotives through the port.
I will follow all of these stories and update them when I have more information.
Sources within the plant at Lake Erie Biofuels report that the PANAM FLOTA should be arriving during the week of May 11 to load biodiesel for Europe. This will be the second load of biodiesel to be shipped through the port; the first one went out onboard the CLIPPER TOBAGO last December.
Several loads of biodiesel should be headed for Europe this season. Also, in October GE reportedly plans on shipping 25 locomotives through the port.
I will follow all of these stories and update them when I have more information.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
MORE BIODIESEL TO BE SHIPPED
More biodiesel will be shipped through the port of Erie in May, according to executives with Lake Erie Biofuels. Three million gallons of the cargo will be shipped through the port, which will likely require two ships.
CLIPPER TOBAGO carried the first cargo out last December.
I will continue to monitor this story and update as I get more information.
CLIPPER TOBAGO carried the first cargo out last December.
I will continue to monitor this story and update as I get more information.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
TOBAGO Update; Dredging Continues; Erie Shipbuilding filling the drydock
CLIPPER TOBAGO is clear of the Welland Canal and eastbound across Lake Ontario at this time.
Lakeshore Towing continues dredging; their new barge 401 should be working on the project by tomorrow.
Erie Shipbuilding is working on flooding the drydock at this time; I believe a new deck barge will be emerging from the drydock tomorrow.
Work is beginning on cleaning up the equipment on the Mountfort Terminal used in the biofuel loading process. Several railcars remain on the dock, probably awaiting pickup from CSX.
Lakeshore's barges 502 and 401 at the Old Ore Dock Thursday.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 501 into Erie harbor this afternoon.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Stern view.
Lakeshore Towing continues dredging; their new barge 401 should be working on the project by tomorrow.
Erie Shipbuilding is working on flooding the drydock at this time; I believe a new deck barge will be emerging from the drydock tomorrow.
Work is beginning on cleaning up the equipment on the Mountfort Terminal used in the biofuel loading process. Several railcars remain on the dock, probably awaiting pickup from CSX.
Lakeshore's barges 502 and 401 at the Old Ore Dock Thursday.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push barge 501 into Erie harbor this afternoon.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY.
Stern view.
FIRST LOAD OF BIODIESEL DEPARTS
CLIPPER TOBAGO cleared Erie at 0200 Thursday with 5,000 metric tons of biodiesel from Lake Erie Biofuels, bound for Europe. At 0030 hours Lakeshore Towing removed the oil boom around the tanker and the vessel was ready to leave the Mountfort Terminal at 0145. The CLIPPER TOBAGO will reach the call-in point at Long Point at 0340 and will reach the Welland Canal at 0610 hours this morning, bound for Montreal before continuing on to Europe with this load of biodiesel.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Biodiesel loading nearly complete; Lakeshore Towing continues dredging and launches new barge
CLIPPER TOBAGO is nearly loaded and should be departing Erie sometime within the next 24 hours or so.
Lakeshore Towing continues work on dredging the Old Ore Dock. The company has launched a new barge, 401, constructed out of the sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina. The 40-foot long 401 should be in service by the end of the week.
Lakeshore Towing continues work on dredging the Old Ore Dock. The company has launched a new barge, 401, constructed out of the sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina. The 40-foot long 401 should be in service by the end of the week.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Harbor Activity Returns to Normal
The high winds that plagued the area on Sunday and Monday have died down and activity in the harbor has returned to normal. The HOLLYHOCK departed at 0900 this morning for Ashtabula, Ohio. The Erie Times News has an article on Page 1 about the cutter's visit to Erie today.
Lakeshore Towing has resumed dredging at the Old Ore Dock, making four trips today.
Loading continues on the CLIPPER TOBAGO at the Mountfort Terminal.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading this morning.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Lakeshore Towing has resumed dredging at the Old Ore Dock, making four trips today.
Loading continues on the CLIPPER TOBAGO at the Mountfort Terminal.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading this morning.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Monday, December 17, 2007
HIGH WINDS DELAY DREDGING, HOLLYHOCK; TOBAGO LOADING CONTINUES
High winds in Erie harbor and on Lake Erie have delayed dredging work at the Old Ore Dock. Lakeshore Towing's equipment has remained tied up all weekend with no work being completed.
USCGC HOLLYHOCK has remained in port and is secured at the Old Ore Dock ahead of Lakeshore Towing's dredging site.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading continues and should be complete late this week, if all goes well.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading 5,415 tons of biodiesel.
The view from the South Pier.
USCG 33133 surfs through the channel.
In Presque Isle Bay.
HOLLYHOCK and Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY secured at the Old Ore Dock.
USCGC HOLLYHOCK has remained in port and is secured at the Old Ore Dock ahead of Lakeshore Towing's dredging site.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading continues and should be complete late this week, if all goes well.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loading 5,415 tons of biodiesel.
The view from the South Pier.
USCG 33133 surfs through the channel.
In Presque Isle Bay.
HOLLYHOCK and Lakeshore Towing's FLATTOP and DON HENRY secured at the Old Ore Dock.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
HOLLYHOCK REPLACES BUOYS; TOBAGO LOADING CONTINUES
USCGC HOLLYHOCK remains in port and was hard at work replacing the summer buoys this morning. At 1000 hours the crew had finished with Buoy 9 (the closest green buoy to the Mountfort Terminal) and moved to Buoy 11, making quick work of that before proceeding to Buoy 13, just north of the Old Ore Dock.
After Buoy 13 was finished the crew of the HOLLYHOCK slid sideways across the slip to Buoy 14 and would proceed to replace that buoy before getting Buoys 12 and 10, the red markers marking the western end of the navigation channel.
CLIPPER TOBAGO has finished loading the twelve tank cars delivered Friday and is sitting quietly now waiting the delivery of more cars so loading can continue.
The LANSDOWNE, which graced Erie's harborfront until the Port Authority evicted it in July, 2006, is featured on page B1 of the Erie Times News today. The LANSDOWNE now sits awaiting her fate in Buffalo, where she has been since being towed from Erie by the tug OHIO on July 16, 2006.
The Times News article quotes Port Authority Executive Director Ray Shreckengost as saying that he was not aware the barge was towed to Buffalo; he believed it was going to Toronto, where it was rumored to be headed throughout 2005 and into 2006. Shreckengost is quoted as saying that someone has "got to shoot the thing and put it out of its misery." In 2000 Shreckengost told the newspaper that the barge "looks fine to me."
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
Lifting Buoy 11.
At the site of Buoy 13.
Lifting the winter marker for Buoy 13.
Marker goes over the side.
Moving the buoy into position.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock.
With the HOLLYHOCK in the background.
Waiting for another load.
LANSDOWNE in Buffalo on November 1, 2006. The LANSDOWNE has since been moved to a more prominent spot on Buffalo's waterfront, along US Route 5, as the article points out. The LANSDOWNE will likely remain there for a while, as Buffalo already has a convention center that is nowhere near the site. However, the article errs in saying that the LANSDOWNE is now near HSBC Arena and Dunn Tire Park, as the vessel is moored at least three miles west of downtown Buffalo.
After Buoy 13 was finished the crew of the HOLLYHOCK slid sideways across the slip to Buoy 14 and would proceed to replace that buoy before getting Buoys 12 and 10, the red markers marking the western end of the navigation channel.
CLIPPER TOBAGO has finished loading the twelve tank cars delivered Friday and is sitting quietly now waiting the delivery of more cars so loading can continue.
The LANSDOWNE, which graced Erie's harborfront until the Port Authority evicted it in July, 2006, is featured on page B1 of the Erie Times News today. The LANSDOWNE now sits awaiting her fate in Buffalo, where she has been since being towed from Erie by the tug OHIO on July 16, 2006.
The Times News article quotes Port Authority Executive Director Ray Shreckengost as saying that he was not aware the barge was towed to Buffalo; he believed it was going to Toronto, where it was rumored to be headed throughout 2005 and into 2006. Shreckengost is quoted as saying that someone has "got to shoot the thing and put it out of its misery." In 2000 Shreckengost told the newspaper that the barge "looks fine to me."
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
HOLLYHOCK in Presque Isle Bay on Sunday morning.
Lifting Buoy 11.
At the site of Buoy 13.
Lifting the winter marker for Buoy 13.
Marker goes over the side.
Moving the buoy into position.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock.
With the HOLLYHOCK in the background.
Waiting for another load.
LANSDOWNE in Buffalo on November 1, 2006. The LANSDOWNE has since been moved to a more prominent spot on Buffalo's waterfront, along US Route 5, as the article points out. The LANSDOWNE will likely remain there for a while, as Buffalo already has a convention center that is nowhere near the site. However, the article errs in saying that the LANSDOWNE is now near HSBC Arena and Dunn Tire Park, as the vessel is moored at least three miles west of downtown Buffalo.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
HOLLYHOCK ARRIVES FOR BUOYS; CLIPPER TOBAGO LOADS
US Coast Guard Cutter HOLLYHOCK (WLB-214) arrived in Erie at 1445 hours this afternoon and secured at Coast Guard Station Erie to load the winter markers that have been stored at the station since May 4. Over the next two days the crew of the HOLLYHOCK will use the ship's crane and lift each of the lighted summer buoys from its station in Erie harbor and replace them with the unlighted winter markers. This will prevent any ice build ups from causing severe damage to the lighted summer buoys. With snowy, cold weather expected over the next few days this will be a cold job for the crew.
When complete, the HOLLYHOCK will offload the summer buoys onto the pier at Coast Guard Station Erie, where they will remain until HOLLYHOCK returns sometime after May 1 to return them to the water. Any buoys that are currently found in need of repair will be taken to HOLLYHOCK's home base in Port Huron, Michigan and repaired over the coming months.
Crews at the Mountfort Terminal remained hard at work this afternoon loading the CLIPPER TOBAGO with biodiesel. As of 1500 six of the twelve railcars on the dock had been offloaded into the tanker. I'm not sure if they will be working on Sunday, but on Monday more railcars will be delivered to the Mountfort Terminal to continue loading the TOBAGO.
HOLLYHOCK inbound.
Close up.
These buoys on the deck of the HOLLYHOCK have already been removed from other waterways and are in need of repair for the winter.
The newest member of Station Erie's fleet, 33133, which arrived late October, is shown while inbound Erie.
Stern view of the HOLLYHOCK.
HOLLYHOCK manouevering to dock as 33133 passes.
HOLLYHOCK secured alongside the Coast Guard Station, ready to begin loading.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loads.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
When complete, the HOLLYHOCK will offload the summer buoys onto the pier at Coast Guard Station Erie, where they will remain until HOLLYHOCK returns sometime after May 1 to return them to the water. Any buoys that are currently found in need of repair will be taken to HOLLYHOCK's home base in Port Huron, Michigan and repaired over the coming months.
Crews at the Mountfort Terminal remained hard at work this afternoon loading the CLIPPER TOBAGO with biodiesel. As of 1500 six of the twelve railcars on the dock had been offloaded into the tanker. I'm not sure if they will be working on Sunday, but on Monday more railcars will be delivered to the Mountfort Terminal to continue loading the TOBAGO.
HOLLYHOCK inbound.
Close up.
These buoys on the deck of the HOLLYHOCK have already been removed from other waterways and are in need of repair for the winter.
The newest member of Station Erie's fleet, 33133, which arrived late October, is shown while inbound Erie.
Stern view of the HOLLYHOCK.
HOLLYHOCK manouevering to dock as 33133 passes.
HOLLYHOCK secured alongside the Coast Guard Station, ready to begin loading.
CLIPPER TOBAGO loads.
Another view of the TOBAGO.
Friday, December 14, 2007
History in the Making
An oil containment boom has been deployed around the CLIPPER TOBAGO today, and at around 1415 this afternoon CSX local train Y120 delivered 12 tank cars loaded with biodiesel to the Mountfort Terminal. Loading of the TOBAGO will begin shortly. This is the first of many cargoes that will be shipped by Lake Erie Biofuels through the port of Erie.
TOBAGO at dock.
Railcars loaded with biodiesel are delivered to the Mountfort Terminal.
Another view.
TOBAGO at dock.
Railcars loaded with biodiesel are delivered to the Mountfort Terminal.
Another view.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Dredging Continues; TOBAGO waits for cargo
Dredging continues at the Old Ore Dock, and Lakeshore Towing is really making progress removing the shoaling that has occured within the slip.
Meanwhile, CLIPPER TOBAGO is expected to begin loading late this week.
A U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender should be arriving soon to replace the summer buoys in the harbor with unlighted winter markers.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Wednesday.
Another view.
The "island" created by the offloading of dredged material gets bigger with every load of sediment.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push Lakeshore Towing's barge 501 through the channel, toward the South Pier.
Tug FLATTOP glistens in the late afternoon sun.
Stern view as the trio approaches the Pier.
Barge 501 holds the dredged material.
Meanwhile, CLIPPER TOBAGO is expected to begin loading late this week.
A U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender should be arriving soon to replace the summer buoys in the harbor with unlighted winter markers.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Wednesday.
Another view.
The "island" created by the offloading of dredged material gets bigger with every load of sediment.
FLATTOP and DON HENRY push Lakeshore Towing's barge 501 through the channel, toward the South Pier.
Tug FLATTOP glistens in the late afternoon sun.
Stern view as the trio approaches the Pier.
Barge 501 holds the dredged material.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Biodiesel Update; TENACIOUS Expected; Lakeshore Towing Remains Busy
CLIPPER TOBAGO remains sitting quietly in port, as loading of her Europe-bound cargo of biodiesel from Lake Erie Biofuels has yet to begin. Loading should commence sometime later this week. Crews will be racing the clock to complete loading and have the TOBAGO out of the St. Lawrence Seaway before it closes at 2359 hours on December 24.
In response to a question I received earlier today, there are plans to deploy a containment boom around the TOBAGO during the loading process. Cargoes of fuel and oil have passed through the port numerous times in the past; however, this is the first time in at least 25 years that there is a cargo of any type of fuel product passing through the port. In the 1960s both Sun and Shell Oil were active in the port of Erie.
Late this morning the CSX local delivered five boxcars to the Mountfort Terminal to load paper products brought in by the W.N. TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132 in early November. Three more boxcars remain on a rail siding near the Bayfront Parkway. More are on the way to load the cargo that has sat at the terminal for over a month.
Tug TENACIOUS should be arriving in Erie later this evening.
Lakeshore Towing (website recently updated) remains busy dredging the Old Ore Dock and completing other projects. Already 1,200 cubic meters of material have been moved to the Confined Disposal Area near the South Pier; twelve trips with barge 501 have deposited this material there. Lakeshore is to remove 5,000 cubic meters of sediment that has built up alongside the dock and prevented ships from docking alongside while loaded. If the weather holds they will remove another 5,000 cubic meters from farther out in the slip. Another barge, built from sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina and measuring 40'x30', could be in service as early as this week to help carry the dredged sediment to the disposal site.
Meanwhile, divers from Lakeshore, in conjunction with Marine Services of Erie, continue work on the new breakwaters at Perry's Landing Marina. When completed the breakwaters will catch the seas from the northwest, protecting the docks and boats in the marina.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Monday afternoon
An O.N. Minerals employee secures the area around the TOBAGO.
Dredged material is pumped into the CDA.
DON HENRY, FLATTOP, and barge 501.
FLATTOP.
Dredged material is pumped into the disposal area. Note how much material is visible.
Dredged material is pumped off of the 501.
Marine Services of Erie's LOW BIDDER at Perry's Landing Marina.
Close up of the new breakwall.
In response to a question I received earlier today, there are plans to deploy a containment boom around the TOBAGO during the loading process. Cargoes of fuel and oil have passed through the port numerous times in the past; however, this is the first time in at least 25 years that there is a cargo of any type of fuel product passing through the port. In the 1960s both Sun and Shell Oil were active in the port of Erie.
Late this morning the CSX local delivered five boxcars to the Mountfort Terminal to load paper products brought in by the W.N. TWOLAN and McALLISTER 132 in early November. Three more boxcars remain on a rail siding near the Bayfront Parkway. More are on the way to load the cargo that has sat at the terminal for over a month.
Tug TENACIOUS should be arriving in Erie later this evening.
Lakeshore Towing (website recently updated) remains busy dredging the Old Ore Dock and completing other projects. Already 1,200 cubic meters of material have been moved to the Confined Disposal Area near the South Pier; twelve trips with barge 501 have deposited this material there. Lakeshore is to remove 5,000 cubic meters of sediment that has built up alongside the dock and prevented ships from docking alongside while loaded. If the weather holds they will remove another 5,000 cubic meters from farther out in the slip. Another barge, built from sections of the former breakwater at Perry's Landing Marina and measuring 40'x30', could be in service as early as this week to help carry the dredged sediment to the disposal site.
Meanwhile, divers from Lakeshore, in conjunction with Marine Services of Erie, continue work on the new breakwaters at Perry's Landing Marina. When completed the breakwaters will catch the seas from the northwest, protecting the docks and boats in the marina.
CLIPPER TOBAGO at dock on Monday afternoon
An O.N. Minerals employee secures the area around the TOBAGO.
Dredged material is pumped into the CDA.
DON HENRY, FLATTOP, and barge 501.
FLATTOP.
Dredged material is pumped into the disposal area. Note how much material is visible.
Dredged material is pumped off of the 501.
Marine Services of Erie's LOW BIDDER at Perry's Landing Marina.
Close up of the new breakwall.
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