For the 190th consecutive year, the Port of Québec proudly celebrate the arrival of the first ocean-going vessel of the year from a foreign port. This year, the Castillo de Malpica, arriving from the United States, docked at the port’s quays at 6:48 a.m. on January 4, 2025. Indian Captain Tarapore Burgess Dadi, who commanded the vessel, was awarded the prestigious Golden-Headed Cane.
Established in 1835, the tradition of the Golden-Headed Cane dates to the achievement of shipbuilder John Munn, who was the first to cross the Atlantic aboard a steamship built in Québec. Welcomed in England with a gold-plated snuffbox to commemorate his feat, he brought the idea back to Québec, deciding to honour the captain of the first ship of the year to navigate the waters of the St. Lawrence River successfully. Over time, the snuffbox was replaced by the now-famous Golden-Headed Cane. This symbol of prosperity, wealth, and good fortune features a golden head, and a body made of cherry wood, a material reminiscent of Québec’s shipbuilding traditions.
“This maritime ceremony, perpetuated for nearly two centuries, is one of the most iconic in our industry. It reflects the timeless maritime spirit that drives the Port of Québec. We are proud to keep this tradition alive, highlighting not only the captain and crew’s expertise but also the maritime community’s outstanding teamwork, including pilots, tug operators, stevedores, and logisticians,” said Mario Girard.
The Castillo de Malpica, a vessel built in 2015, demonstrated remarkable skill in navigating the challenging waters of the St. Lawrence River, particularly during this winter. After a trip from the USA, it docked at the port, where it will be loading iron ore pellets. Around 6 million tons of iron is transshipped every year at the Port of Québec, which represents 118 times the iron used to make the Québec Bridge. Over 98% of iron is turned into steel (ex.: household appliances, infrastructure, car manufacturing, etc.). The ship will then head back to France.
(Photo from Port of Quebec)