Oceanex Connaigra                   launched in Germany

2013-06-11

The Oceanex Connaigra, the largest Canadian-flag Con/Ro ship has been launched in Flensburg, Germany, with delivery scheduled to join the fleet of Newfoundland-based Oceanex this coming fall. Mrs. Bernice Hynes, wife of Executive Chairman Capt. Sid Hynes, christened the 210-metre long vessel at a ceremony on May 31 at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard.

"The Oceanex Connaigra is a considerable investment and an essential element of our company's strategy to meet the needs of our clients throughout Eastern Canada," said Mr. Hynes. "Furthermore we are thrilled to build a ship that is classed by DNV as a 'clean ship' and will be a world leader in energy efficiency and environmental protection."

With a deadweight of 19,300 tons and 13,700 square metres of available space, the vessel costing about $100 million is designed to carry containers as well as trucks, trailers, cars and over-dimensional cargo.  (Photo: Oceanex)

Fednav orders six more vessels         for Great Lakes fleet

2013-05-31

Montreal-based Fednav Limited, the largest international bulk carrier in Canada, announced it has placed an order with Sumitomo Corporation and Japan's Oshima Shipyard for six more ocean-going vessels destined for the Great Lakes trades.

Adding substantial capacity to the carrier's existing fleet, the six environmentally-advanced vessels are slated for delivery between May and November 2015 as part of a series of 27 new ships (of which 14 are Lakers) added to the Fednav fleet since January 2012.

"This investment highlights Fednav's commitment to the Great Lakes and to our customers and partners in the industrial heart of North America," said Paul Pathy, Fednav President and co-CEO on May 30 upon signing of the contract. "This order by Fednav demonstrates our clear goal to remain the leader in international Great Lakes shipping."

Canadian Shipowners Association marks 110^th anniversary

2013-05-28

A special reception held in Ottawa marking the 110^th anniversary of the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) was highlighted by the presence of four federal ministers and comments underlining the current successes and challenges facing inland carriers on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Waterway.

The four ministers attending the reception on May 22 were Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt,  Steven Fletcher. Minister of State for Transport, and Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business.

In his comments, CSA Chairman Wayne Smith, Senior Vice-President, Commercial of Algoma Central Corporation, underlined the key role of inland shipping in the Canadian economy, especially for the steel and agricultural industries. He recalled the results of a recent study on the environmental advantages of the maritime mode. And he stressed the major fleet renewal kick-started by the government's removal in October 2010 of a longstanding controversial 25% import duty on foreign-built vessels.

Projects improving Port of Montreal truck access

2013-05-23

Two major projects have been announced to improve truck access to the Port of Montreal in the coming years. They will complete recent efforts undertaken by the Montreal Port Authority to improve traffic flow for approximately 1,500 trucks that travel daily through a key sector of the port.

Sylvain Gaudreault, Québec Minister of Transport, announced the signature of a collaborative framework with the City of Montreal for the extension of L'Assomption Boulevard. This new transportation artery will be linked to Souligny avenue, thereby allowing trucks leaving the port to directly access the highway network.

Under the second project, the construction of a Highway 25 exit ramp leading south will allow trucks to directly reach the new common entry portal located on port territory at the corner of Notre Dame and de Boucherville streets.