Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising that due to the extreme cold weather which has settled over the eastern North American continent, there have been heavy delays in shipping operations since 4th January 2014.
The delays have been caused primarily by ice build-up between Lanoraie and the Three Rivers (St. Lawrence River). Three Canadian Coastguard ice breakers have been working round the clock in the area since then, but no ships have been allowed to depart Montreal outbound due to this.
There are currently five ships docked at Montreal awaiting favourable ice conditions in order to depart for sea, and Canadian Coast Guard Ice Operations advise that shipping may resume for departures at 0630hrs local time on 8th January 2014.
In addition, there are currently twelve ships tied up at Three Rivers and Quebec awaiting favourable ice conditions in order to transit to Montreal. Reports confirm that one tanker had broken her moorings and drifted aground in the Sorel area, but that the vessel has now been recovered and is alongside in Sorel, awaiting inspections.
Laurentian Pilotage Authority has advised that three ships have been authorised to transit downbound and four ships have been authorised to transit upbound. All other ships will have to wait for the arrival of a stronger icebreaker for the Quebec Bridge passage. Ships who experience suction problems or any other mechanical problems due to the weather conditions, and all tankers, will be delayed below Quebec. Ships waiting between Trois Rivieres and Montreal will probably be authorised to transit tomorrow 8th January.
For further information, please check the ISS website (www.iss-shipping.com) or contact iss.montreal@iss-shipping.com
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime services provider. With over 300 proprietary offices in 66 countries, and a workforce of over 3,800, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.
ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.
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