The M/V Whistler is the first vessel to call the Port of Trois Rivières in 2020. The bulk carrier docked at the Port on January 5 at 8 p.m. after a 19-day crossing of the Atlantic. With its 20 crew members of mainly Filipino, but also Montenegrin, Croatian, Hellenic and Ukrainian nationality, the vessel left the port of Valletta, Malta on December 17, 2019.

Carrying on board 34,711 metric tonnes of de-icing salt loaded in Egypt eight days earlier, the cargo is destined for Sable Marco in Pont-Rouge and unloading operations are handled by Somavrac.

To receive the title of first vessel, the vessel must arrive in Trois-Rivières from an overseas port without making a stopover at another Canadian port and perform a loading or unloading operation at the Port of Trois-Rivières.

“We are pleased to mark this 54th ceremony of the 1st vessel of the year by presenting the captain of the M/V Whistler, Vladimir Milovic and chief engineer,  Filip Vuckovic, a reproduction of the painting Un port, une équipe, produced by Mauricie artist Ms. Caroline St Pierre, as well as a basket of regional products”, said Michel Morin member of the board of directors of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA).

Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the TRPA, took the opportunity to highlight the quality of the work carried out by Somavrac and the Trois-Rivières longshoremen, responsible for the unloading operations of the M/V Whistler.

In the photo, from left to right: Gaétan Boivin, President and CEO of the Port of Trois-Rivières, Vladimir Milovic, captain of the Whistler, Caroline St-Pierre, Trois-Rivières artist Filip Vuckovic, chief engineer of the Whistler and Michel Morin, member of the board of directors of the Port of Trois-Rivières. (photo APTR)