Canada Maritime, OOCL commission new containerships for Montreal Gateway trade

For the third time in seven years, Canada Maritime and Orient Overseas Container Line,long-term partners in the St Lawrence Co-ordinated Service (SLCS), have agreed to each commission new tonnage to be built simultaneously for deployment in the trade between North Europe and North America via Montreal.

The two shipping lines have contracted with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Heavy Machinery of South Korea to construct three ice-strengthened and winterised container ships. They will be 294 metres long and 32.2 metres wide, with a draught of 10.78 metres.

With a loading capacity of 3500 teu, the ships will be larger than previously deployed on the St Lawrence River. This will enable the carriers to meet an anticipated growth in trade over the next decade, while still keeping within the St Lawrence’s fluctuating draught limitations. Nominal capacity will be 4100 teu.

The ships are scheduled to be delivered in 2003. Two will be owned by Canada Maritime and one by OOCL.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, SLCS is one of container shipping’s most enduring partnerships. Since 1996 SLCS has also been co-operating with Cast, Canada Maritime’s sister company.

By cross utilising ships, each line is able to offer more comprehensive service to their respective customers on three separate Montreal gateway routes:

– Route 1: Links Montreal with Thamesport, Antwerp and Le Havre with ships operated by Canada Maritime and OOCL.

– Route 2: Links Montreal with Antwerp and Hamburg with ships operated by Canada Maritime and OOCL.

– Route 3: Links Montreal and Liverpool with ships operated by Cast.

The three new ships are scheduled to operate in Route 2. They are the third set of three sister ships to be commissioned by OOCL and Canada Maritime for this route under the SLCS co-operative alliance. The first group, 2200-TEU Canmar Fortune, Canmar Courage and OOCL Canada, entered service in 1996 and currently operate on Route 2. The second set, 2800-TEU Canmar Pride, Canmar Honour and OOCL Belgium were delivered in 1998 and operate on Route 1.

SLCS SHIPS COMPARATIVE SPECIFICATIONS

1996 newbuildings – Canmar Fortune; Canmar Courage; OOCL Canada
Capacity 2200
Length 216 metres
Width 32.2 metres
Loaded Draught 10.78 metres
Service Speed 20 knots

1998 newbuildings – Canmar Pride; Canmar Honour; OOCL Belgium
Capacity 2800
Length 244 metres
Width 32.2 metres
Loaded Draught 10.78 metres
Service Speed 21 knots

2003 newbuildings – to be named, two Canmar, one OOCL
Capacity 3500 loaded/ 4100 nominal
Length 294 metres
Width 32.2 metres
Loaded Draught10.78 metres
Service Speed 22 knots