Trois-Rivières, January 4, 2023 – The RF STELLA is the first vessel to call the Port of Trois-Rivières in 2023. It docked at the Port on January 2 at 8 am, after an eight-day crossing of the Atlantic. The vessel, with its 20 crew members of Turkish nationality, left the port of West Palm Beach in Florida on December 25, 2022. Its cargo of molasses, unloaded by Servitank, is destined for animal feed production.
Ms. Véronique Néron, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA), explained: “To receive the title, the vessel must arrive in Trois-Rivières from an overseas port without making a stopover at another Canadian port and perform a loading or unloading operation at the port.” To view the arrival of the RF STELLA: 1st vessel 2023.
During the 57th ceremony marking the arrival of the first vessel of the year at the Port of Trois-Rivières, Captain Emin Koparan and Chief Engineer Canbeck Yeltin, received a basket of local products and a giclée reproduction created by Ms. Caroline St-Pierre, a painter from the Mauricie region, as part of the 140th anniversary of the Port.
Mr. Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the TRPA, reminded that Groupe Somavrac, owner of the Servitank subsidiary, has been operating at the Port of Trois-Rivières for 60 years. “The molasses delivered by the 1st vessel 2023 is stored in insulated tanks owned by the company and located at the Port before being redistributed by trucks or railcars and ultimately used in the manufacture of animal feed.
About the RF STELLA
The vessel RF STELLA was built in 2011 and is sailing under the Malta flag. It has an overall length of 161.68 m and a width of 23 m. The vessel is currently moored at section 11 of the port of Trois-Rivières for approximately three days. During its stay in Trois-Rivières, it will be represented by McLean Kennedy Agency.
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 Montreal during the winter.
Winter navigation, necessary adjustments
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 equipment, such as high-efficiency radar systems, to facilitate their passage through the ice.
About the Port of Trois-Rivières
As part of the 17 Canadian Port Authorities and active since 1882, the Port of Trois‑Rivières offers a wide range of facilities and services to the maritime industry throughout the year. The Port is an important player in the regional, national and international economic development of major industrial sectors such as aluminum, forestry and agri-food. Every year, the Port of Trois-Rivières handles 55,000 trucks, 11,000 rails cars and over 200 merchant and cruise ships from about 100 ports located in over 40 countries throughout the world. It handles over 4 million metric tons of traffic, supporting over 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
-30-
Photo (from left to right):
Caroline St-Pierre, painter
Captain Emin Koparan
Véronique Néron, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Source:
Sara Dubé
Director of Public Affairs and Human Resources
Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Office: 819 378-2887, ext. 207
Cell phone: 819 244-7191