Desgagnés has announced the addition of another vessel to its fleet. The ship was acquired from its long-standing German business partner Briese Schiffahrts, also known for its commercial division BBC Chartering. It is intended to serve remote communities and industries in the Canadian Arctic, including Nunavut and Nunavik, as well as the Canadian east coast and international markets.
The vessel arrived in Quebec City last May, has since been registered under the Canadian flag, and is scheduled to begin its first voyage on June 12.
Louis-Marie Beaulieu, Chairman of the Board, CEO, and majority shareholder of Desgagnés, said he is “very pleased with this acquisition, which creates more than 40 direct jobs and further improves maritime service to northern communities, thereby allowing Desgagnés to maintain its position as a leader in maritime services to the Arctic, which it has served for nearly 60 years.”
The vessel is a sister ship to the Miena Desgagnés, Berthe A. Desgagnés, and Annette A. Desgagnés. It measures 147 meters in length, with a deadweight tonnage of 12,395 metric tons, and offers over 17,600 cubic meters of cargo hold capacity, which can exceed 24,000 cubic meters when including the main deck. It is equipped with two cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 250 metric tons, which can be combined for lifts of up to 500 tons.
With an ice class equivalent to 1A and a 4,800 kW (6,436 horsepower) engine, the vessel has a cruising speed of 13.5 knots. The general cargo carrier, fitted with a tweendeck, is specialized in heavy and project cargo transport. It forms part of Desgagnés’ ongoing expansion program, and, following tradition, its name carries symbolic significance.
The vessel has been named Johane A. Desgagnés in honour of Johane Desjardins, spouse of Louis-Marie Beaulieu. The company highlighted her role in its development, noting her “unwavering support, deep understanding, compassion, and endless patience” during Beaulieu’s leadership of the firm.
With the addition of the Marcellin A. Desgagnés in 2023 and the Annette A. Desgagnés and Berthe A. Desgagnés acquired in 2024, Desgagnés states it has invested more than 140 million dollars over the past three years in expanding its fleet.
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