OTTAWA: The Port of Montreal is pleased to welcome the first ocean-going vessel in 2017 to cross its downstream limits at Sorel, without a stopover, today at 03 :16. The ship is the Chem Sirius, flying the Liberia flag.
The Chem Sirius, under the command of Captain Danel Ju, is a chemical tanker operated by Ace Tankers CV and represented in Montreal by the SMK Tanker Agency. The Chem Sirius left the Port of Antwerp in Belgium on December 19.
On Wednesday, January 4, the Port of Montreal will award the 178th Gold-Headed Cane at the ceremony celebrating the arrival each year of the first ocean-going vessel to reach Montreal without a stopover. This ceremony will mark this great tradition in the marine community as well as the 375th anniversary of the City of Montreal and the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.
Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.
The Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The Port operates a passenger terminal. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic benefits annually.
