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To receive our NEWSLETTER click here November 22, 2005 MUCH YARD ACTIVITY IN LES MÉCHINS Following the departure of the Société des traversiers du Québec car and passenger ferry, Camille Marcoux, in mid-June, there was much summer and early autumn yard activity to report on. During this time, the Verreault dry dock witnessed an extremely busy period, revolving around several consecutive vessel dry-dockings by a number of regular clients. The vessels on site over the course of this intensive period of activity included Transport Nanuk's northern RO/RO cargo vessel, Aivik, Rigel Shipping Canada's chemical and oil tankers Emerald Star and Diamond Star and the Fisheries and Oceans' ice breaker, C.C.G.S. Martha L. Black. Arriving in mid-May, the Aivik was dry-docked for several weeks worth of routine maintenance and steel repairs. This visit marks the third consecutive visit by the Aivik to Verreault Navigation since 2000, making Transport Nanuk one of Verreault's more regular clients over the past five years illustrating Verreault's ability to provide awide range of services and consistently high-quality workmanship while at the same time offering the best prices in a very competitive marketplace. Following the above dry-docking was a brief, two-week visit by the Emerald Star. Like the Aivik, the Emerald Star primarily underwent routine maintenance and repairs, which were overseen and completed with much efficiency and skill by Verreault's staff and workers alike. Specific work performed on the vessel consisted primarily of steel work and painting, while some mechanical work was also completed. Also during this period of high activity, the Matha L. Black underwent it's by now customary, biennial survey after Verreault once again proved to be the lowest and most reliable bidder in Eastern Canada - beating out not only Halifax Shipyard and Newdock (St. John's Drydock Limited), but also Davie Shipbuilding Ltd. While on site, the light icebreaker and navaids tender, underwent roughly three weeks worth of regular service and maintenance, including steel work, sandblasting and re-painting of the hull. Finally, Rigel's Diamond Star, was docked towards the middle of September for work that was very similar to that done on it's sister ship, the Emerald Star. With two Rigel Shipping Canada vessels having dry-docked with Verreault over the past summer, and their increased presence in yard activities over the past several years, it goes without saying that the business relationship between Verreault and Rigel has become a very strong one that continues to develop with each contract. It is the type of business relationship that Verreault prides itself on maintaining with many key vessel operators in Canada, and serves as an excellent example of how we are able to work with and develop to meet our client's needs. Other Recent Activities Also completed by the yard during this period was the transformation of a standard cargo container into a ticket booth for Cirque du Soleil (tm). In 1988, Cirque du Soleil became an occasional client, during which time 34 containers were converted by Verreault into fully-functioning, living, storage and operations related spaces for the organization's international/traveling division. Looking For Outside Inspiration Also of note during the past several months was a research and development related visit undertaken by yard representatives to the BREDO Shipyard facilities in Bremerhaven, Germany. The visit was undertaken by Richard Beaupré, President and C.O.O. of Verreault Navigation, as well as Mr. Serge Desrosiers, Director of Contract Management and the yard's Estimation, Engineering and Planning Coordinator, Mr. Elvis Poulin. The visit proved to be a highly informative and insightful one for Verreault and will no doubt have a positive influence on various elements of planning and operations in the future. In keeping with the German theme above, Groupe Maritime Verreault was also extremely pleased and honoured to host the 11th annual Canadian Committee Meeting of Germanischer Lloyd board of directors, of which Ms. Denise Verreault is chairman. By all counts the meeting was a very successful and enjoyable one for Germanischer Lloyd and it's committee members. Looking Ahead... It should also be noted that due to a number of already confirmed contracts stretching well into 2006, Groupe Maritime Verreault is encouraging it's regular clientele to consider pre-booking their regular dry-dockings for the foreseeable future, if they have not yet done so. As ever we will do our best to accommodate all requests for dry-dockings, but with a rapidly filling schedule, this may prove to be more challenging than in previous years. Add to this, the recent announcement that due to the Joint Support Ship Project there will be a significant upswing in Government related contracts and yard activities over the next three years, including the construction of mid-shore patrol vessels and numerous already budgeted for Canadian Coast Guard and Navy life extensions and it is becoming increasingly important for ship-owners to consider planning maintenance and inspection related visits a little further in advance.
Should you wish any further information on this project or would like to have a quote for any work you are planning for the future, do not hesitate to contact us at: Verreault Navigation inc.  |
