First of CSL's two Trillium Class Great Lakes bulk carriers sets sail on maiden voyage

MONTREAL, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Steamship Lines' next generation bulk carrier CSL Welland  has set sail on her maiden voyage from China to Canada, where she will serve as the latest addition to CSL's state-of-the-art Trillium Class fleet on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

The 36,100 tonnes in deadweight, Seawaymax gearless bulker embarked for Montreal from the Yangfan shipyard in Zhoushan Island, China, where she was built. The 50 to 60 day journey will take CSL Welland across the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the east coast of North America.

Captain Andriy Bondarenko and Chief Engineer Nicolas Lavoie are in command of CSL Welland. Captain Bondarenko was also at the helm of the Trillium Class self-unloader Baie Comeau on her maiden voyage from China to Canada last year.

CSL Welland's sister ship, CSL St-Laurent, will also be delivered in the coming weeks and will complete CSL's ambitious fleet renewal program, which was launched in 2010. The newbuild program also produced four new Trillium Class self-unloading Lakers (Baie St. Paul, Baie Comeau, Thunder Bay and Whitefish Bay) and three Panamax self-unloaders (Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin, CSL Tecumseh and CSL Tacoma), which were delivered in 2012 and 2013.

"These ships place CSL well ahead of the curve in terms of fleet efficiency and environmental sustainability. I couldn't be more proud of CSL's Operations and Newbuild teams and the many staff experts who helped make this bold dream a reality. These truly are new ships for a new era at CSL," said Louis Martel, President of Canada Steamship Lines.

The new bulkers feature IMO Tier II compliant main engines as well as the latest environmental and safety technologies. These are consistent with the high standards of operational efficiency, reliability and environmental sustainability set by CSL's other Trillium Class vessels. 

A real-time map tracking the voyage of CSL Welland is posted on CSL's Web site at www.cslships.com. 

Canada Steamship Lines is a division of The CSL Group, the world's largest owner and operator of self-unloading vessels. Headquartered in Montreal with divisions based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Singapore and Australia, CSL delivers more than 76 million tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors.

SOURCE: The CSL Group Inc.

For further information: Brigitte Hébert, Director, Communications, Tel.: [phone], [e-mail]