Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) held a celebration to salute the maiden voyage of the fourth newly-built Trillium Class Laker, MV Baie Comeau, to its namesake city.
City of Baie Comeau Mayor, Christine Brisson, joined Claude Dumais, Vice-President, Technical Operations of Canada Steamship Lines, and Jean Boily, Cargill Elevator Plant Superintendant, at the Cargill dock to welcome the state-of-the-art vessel.
“The Baie Comeau and its sisterships represent a new era not only for CSL but also for shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system,” said Claude Dumais. “The outstanding environmental and operational performance of these vessels is testimony to CSL’s ongoing commitment to our customers, and to the communities and ecosystems in which we operate.”
During the welcoming ceremony, Mr. Dumais announced the gift of a 2.4-meter-long model of the Baie Comeau to the community. “It is an honour to associate the name of our city to such a magnificent ship,” stated Mayor Brisson. “The ship model that we have received from CSL will be proudly exposed in one our municipal offices.”
MV Baie Comeau is the first ever such named vessel in the CSL fleet and is part of the revival of the company’s dependable ‘Bay’ series in the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes. During its first voyage to the City of Baie Comeau, it discharged grain that was loaded in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Like all Trillium Class vessels, the Baie Comeau represents the next generation of self-unloaders. Employing leading-edge technology, she is designed to provide overall operational efficiency. It uses less fuel, releases significantly fewer emissions and minimizes cargo residue – with the dual objective to meet the evolving needs of customers and protect the environment.