St Lawrence Coordinated Service News

German shipping major Hapag-Lloyd announced that one of its ships recently refueled in Rotterdam with an eco-friendly biofuel, as part of its plan to reduce CO2 emissions."For the first time, the “Montreal Express” is being powered by so-called “B20” fuel, which consists of 80 percent low-sulfur fuel oil and 20 percent bio-diesel based on cooking oils and fats that had previously been used in the food service/catering industry," said a press note from the container transportation company.The biodiesel generates up to 90 percent less CO2 emissions than conventional fuels, it said.With this test, Hapag-Lloyd is taking another step towards reaching its ambitious climate-protection goals.“By the end of this year…

Service (SLCS), has agreed to charter a fixed number of container slots to CMA-CGM on one of its Montreal-North Europe services. The agreement is expected to take effect in late April after CMA-CGM has withdrawn its existing tonnage from this route. The slot-charter is in addition to the existing agreement between Canada Maritime, OOCL and the Canex consortium which began in January 2003. "This will help supply and demand in the Montreal-North Europe trade lane become better balanced," said CP Ships Executive Vice President Commercial Alan Boylan. The slots will be taken on three SLCS ships, Canmar Spirit, Canmar Venture and OOCL Montreal for service between Montreal and Antwerp and Le Havre.

CP Ships Limited's division Canada Maritime, along with OOCL, its partner in the St Lawrence Coordinated Service (SLCS), has agreed to charter a fixed number of container slots to members of the CANEX consortium, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Company and P&O Nedlloyd, in the North America-Europe trade via Montreal. The two year agreement takes effect from January 2003. In addition, to improve operational efficiency, CANEX expects to move its existing service from its current Montreal marine terminal to CP Ships' Montreal Gateway Terminals. The move is expected during the first quarter 2003. Initially, slots will be taken on three SLCS 2800 teu ice-strengthened ships, Canmar Pride, Canmar Honour and OOCL Belgium which operate on Route 1 Montreal-Thamesport-Antwerp-Le Havre.