Algoma Integrity - a new name

 A ship with strong Nova Scotia connections is returning to Canada, but under a new name.
The Panamax self-unloader Gypsum Integrity has been acquired by Algoma Central Marine and will be renamed Algoma Integrity.

Built in Rio de Janeiro by Estaleiro Ilha SA (EISA) in 2009* for Gypsum Transportation, the ship was designed to operate from Hantsport, NS or Little Narrows, NS to export gypsum from Canadian Gypsum's mining operations to U.S.Gypsum plants in the United States.

When the Hantsport operation was closed due to weak demand after the US recession, the virtually new ship was reassigned to world trade by operators Beltship Management (a joint venture between Gyspum Transportation Ltd and Globe Master Management, based in Monaco). For the past few years the ship and sister ship Gypsum Centennial have been operating an iron ore shuttle in Sierra Leone while larger port facilities were under construction. The ships have now been freed up as that project is complete.

Gypsum Integrity will be handed over in Las Palmas later this month and will begin operations under the new name Algoma Integrity under the Canadian flag.It will shuttle iron ore from Port Cartier, QC to Contrecouer, QC fr ArcelorMittal. Since the ship will not need to pass though Seaway locks on this trade, it will allow Algoma to free up Seaway size ships for other work.

The ship measures 33,047 grt, 47,761 dwt and can unload at a rate of 3,000 tonnes per hour (gypsum) and 2,500 tph for coal. Its boom has an 18 degree uplift and can swing out 90 degrees from the ships centre line, allowing for considerable flexibility during unloading.

Another recent development at Port Cartier is the acquisition of a third tug to be operated by Svitzer Canada (see recent Tugfax postings). With frequent additional calls by this large ship (a round trip would take less than a week) it can now be understood why a third tug is needed.

I have never seen this ship, but as she is a sister ship to Gyspum Centennial, see Shipfax November 15, 2014 for an idea of her size and shape, although she will look quite different at first, since I believe she is currently painted read, but will eventually acquire Algoma's deep blue hull paint..

* Construction of the ship was delayed from the original delivery date off fall 2007 to fall 2008 or perhaps even later. Some sources give the ship's completion date as 2009.

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