Trois-Rivières, January 7, 2016 – The ceremony highlighting the arrival of the first ship of the year 2016 was held today. The vessel Anette, operated and chartered by MST Mineralien Schiffahrt Gmbh and sailing under Liberian flag, was the first foreign vessel to reach, non-stop, the port of Trois-Rivières on January 6, becoming the first vessel of 2016. Built in 2003 this bulk carrier, 179 meters long and 23 meters wide, has a load capacity of 25,568 metric tons.
From Vila do Conde Brazil, the Anette and its Slovak, Czech, Ukrainian and Croatia crew, will assure delivery of a cargo of 11,206 metric tons of liquid clay. The vessel is moored at section 20 of the port of Trois-Rivières for a period of approximately 1 day. During its stay in Trois-Rivières, it is represented by Lower St-Lawrence Ocean Agencies Ltd while the unloading is undertaken by Servitank, a subsidiary of Groupe Somavrac.
To mark the occasion, a reproduction of a painting from a local artist, Mrs. Caroline St-Pierre, was given to the master Mr. Peter Demcak and to the chief engineer Mr. Peter Madarcik.
Navigating ice-covered waters: the challenge continues
The ceremony highlighting the arrival of the first vessel of the year brings forward the crew members who navigate on the St. Lawrence River during winter. Winter navigation is now possible, more than ever, thanks to the efforts of many actors in the river system. These include the Canadian Coast Guard, whose ice breakers keep the channel open between Quebec and Montréal during the winter.
How do ships navigate in the winter?
To navigate on the St. Lawrence during the winter, the ships lighten their cargo. They also need a reinforced hull, an adapted engine water cooling system (to prevent ice build-up) and be equipped with high-performance navigation equipments, like high-efficiency radars, to facilitate their passage through ice field.
-30-
The Port of Trois-Rivières, which is one of the 18 Canadian Port Authorities and has been active since 1882, offers the marine industry a wide range of facilities and services. It is a significant agent for regional, national and international economic development, serving major industrial sectors such as aluminium, forestry and agri-food.
Every year, the Port of Trois-Rivières handles 55,000 trucks, 11,000 freight cars and over 200 merchant and cruise ships from around the world. It handles approximately 4 million metric tons and generates close to 1,000 direct jobs.
Releases are available on our web site: www.porttr.com
Source:
Virginie Deschambeault
Director of Communications
Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Office: 819-378-2887, ext. 207
Information:
Jacques Paquin
Vice-president, Marketing & Business Development
Trois-Rivières Port Authority
819-378-2887, ext. 205