Largest Conventional Geared Bulker in Canada Now Operates for CSL

Earlier this year, Montreal-based shipping company Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) welcomed to its fleet MV Ferbec, a conventional geared bulk carrier equipped with four cranes and grabs, which is now fully operational in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

The vessel, which previously operated in CSL’s Australian fleet as CSL Melbourne, became the largest vessel of its type in the Canadian domestic shipping market.

Upon arrival in Québec City on May 13, 2017, the 49,502 dwt vessel underwent modifications to adapt to its new operating environment.

Ferbec is now operating under Canadian flag in the Havre St-Pierre to Sorel corridor for Rio Tinto.

Built at Nantong COSCO KHI shipyard in China in 2002, the Handymax bulker features a length of 188 meters and a width of 31 meters.

“It is by design and with great pride that we revived the name Ferbec for this vessel. Like the original Ferbec – a 56,000 dwt ocean bulk carrier – the new Ferbec is plying the same trades along the same Saint Lawrence routes… Unfortunately, just like its predecessor, the new Ferbec will never be seen on the Great Lakes. Built as an ocean-going vessel, its hull is too wide for the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway,” Louis Martel, President and CEO of The CSL Group, commented.

The arrival of Ferbec in the Canadian fleet is part of CSL’s fleet optimization and capacity management program, which has seen the introduction of six new Trillium Class vessels to the Canadian fleet and the retirement of older, less efficient ships, including most recently the 33,197 dwt bulk carrier, Pineglen.

Canada Steamship Lines, a division of the CSL Group, currently operates a fleet of 18 vessels, according to the company’s website.