Trois-Rivières, January 3, 2025 – The VECTIS PROGRESS is the first vessel to call the Port of Trois-Rivières in 2025. It docked at the Port on January 2 at 3:15 pm, after a thirteen-day crossing of the Atlantic. The vessel, with its 13 crew members of Philippine, Russian and Romanian nationalities, left the Port of Pasaia in Spain on December 20, 2024. Its cargo of steel beams from Arcelor Mittal is handled by LOGISTEC and destined for the construction industry.
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 VECTIS PROGRESS at the Port of Trois-Rivières: 1st vessel 2025.
During the 59th ceremony marking the arrival of the first vessel of the year at the Port of Trois-Rivières, Captain Cornel Naziru and Chief Engineer Roman Shaparaev, received baskets of local products and a giclée reproduction Un port, une équipe created by Ms. Caroline St-Pierre, a painter from the Mauricie region.
Mr. Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the Port, recalled that LOGISTEC has been present at the Port of Trois-Rivières for over 70 years. Its main activities focus on the handling of general cargo such as cocoa beans, paper pulp, wind turbine components and, of course, steel products. The VECTIS PROGRESS is operated by Fednav to service its Falline shipping line, which links Europe to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes network.
About the VECTIS PROGRESS
The vessel VECTIS PROGRESS was built in 2012 and is sailing under the Isle of Man flag. It has an overall length of 123.95 m and a width of 17.40 m. The vessel is currently moored at section 11 of the Port of Trois-Rivières for approximately one week. During its stay in Trois-Rivières, it is represented by Fednav’s 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 60,000 trucks, 11,000 rails cars and over 270 merchant and cruise ships from about 100 ports located in over 40 countries throughout the world. It handles over 4.2 million metric tons of traffic, supporting over 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
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Source:
Sara Dubé
Vice-president of Public Affairs, Partnerships and Human Resources
Trois-Rivières Port Authority
Office: 819 378-2887, ext. 207