Largest ice-strengthened ship on Canada/North Europe route

Largest ice-strengthened ship on Canada/North Europe route    The 4,402 TEU “OOCL Montreal”, the world's largest ice-strengthened vessel, made its maiden call at Thamesport Wednesday.
   The ship is operated by OOCL on its joint weekly “GEX 1” service with Canada Maritime between north Europe and Canada.
   The “GEX 1” service has a port rotation of Montreal, Quebec, Thamesport, Antwerp, Le Havre and Montreal.
   Canada Maritime recently introduced the 4,100 TEU “CanMar Venture” on the “GEX 1” with sistership “CanMar Spirit” joining later.
   The three new ships are replacing smaller vessels of 2,808 TEUs, adding around 72,000 TEUs into the transatlantic.
   Cast, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Sealand, Mediterranean Shipping Co., P&O Nedlloyd and NYK Line all take space on the “GEX 1” service.