The Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin, CSL International’s (CSL) first of three new Trillium Class self-unloading Panamax vessels set sail on its maiden voyage from Chengxi Shipyard in Jiangyin, China, on October 5 to Port Sechelt, British Columbia. The new vessel was deployed for service immediately upon arrival on October 21, loading its first aggregate cargo for discharge in the San Francisco area.
“The delivery of the Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin represents an important milestone in the modernization of CSL’s fleet”, said Paul Cozza, President of CSL International. “This new vessel and its sister ships will set new standards in operational and environmental performance, energy efficiency and reliability. For customers, this means a significant enhancement in CSL’s capability to meet their evolving needs.” Commanded by Captain Vladyslav Tarasov and Chief Engineer Volodymyr Romanchenko, the Hon. Paul E. Martin will use a weather technology service to plan her route across the Pacific Ocean. She is expected to take 17 days to complete her first voyage.
As part of CSL’s fleet renewal program, the Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin will set the course for two additional Trillium Class self-unloading Panamax vessels in 2013. The three new Panamax vessels will join the CSLI Pool along with two other ships of the same class and design being constructed for Torvald Klaveness of Norway under CSL supervision.
“We are very proud of our new vessel, which was developed thanks to the vision, dedication and hard work of our design and newbuild teams,” continued Mr. Cozza.
Departing for Montreal from Chenxgi shipyard on the same day was the Baie St. Paul, a new CSL Trillium Class self-unloading laker. The Baie St. Paul will be the first of four new Trillium Class self-unloading lakers and two new gearless bulkers to enter CSL’s fleet between 2012 and 2014.
Receptions celebrating the ship’s maiden voyage have been planned in San Francisco and Redwood City, California, as well as in Port McNeill, B.C., where the Kwakuitl and Namgis First Nations will perform a traditional Blessing Ceremony onboard the vessel.
CSL International and Canada Steamship Lines are divisions of The CSL Group, the world’s largest owner and operator of self-unloading vessels.