News Release

29th July 2003

Thamesport Welcomes Canmar Venture


29-Jul-2003

Thamesport (London) Limited welcomed one of the largest and most powerful vessels serving the Montreal Gateway, Canmar Venture, on its maiden call to the UK on Sunday 27th July 2003.

Canmar Venture, along with sister vessel Canmar Spirit, to be launched later in the year, are of a specialised design to enable them to cope with the rigorous demands of the St Lawrence River trades. Each is 294 metres long, 32.2 metres wide with a draught of 10.78 metres. Their nominal capacity is 4100 TEU, with a service speed of 22 knots.

Canmar Venture joins OOCL Montreal, launched in July, on Canada Maritime and OOCL’s St Lawrence Co-ordinated Service (SLCS), offering three weekly routings through the Montreal Gateway. A further newbuilding, Canmar Spirit, will join them on the service in September.

Thamesport Director, Richard Pearson, commented:

“It is a great honour for Thamesport to welcome such a prestigious vessel as Canmar Venture on its maiden call to the UK. The St Lawrence Co-ordinated Service has been calling successfully at Thamesport since 1998, and the introduction of these new vessels, featuring the latest technology in navigation and ice-breaking capability, will not only add to the service’s reliability, but will also further enhance Thamesport’s reputation as a leading port for shipments from Europe through the Montreal Gateway”.