Desgagnés has expanded its fleet with the addition of the Johane A. Desgagnés, a multipurpose cargo vessel acquired from German shipowner Briese Schiffahrts.
The vessel, which arrived in Quebec City in May and has now been registered under the Canadian flag, entered service on 12 June. It will support Desgagnés’ operations serving remote communities and industries in the Canadian Arctic, including Nunavut and Nunavik, as well as Canada’s east coast and international markets.
“This acquisition 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,” said Louis-Marie Beaulieu, Chairman of the Board, CEO and majority shareholder of Desgagnés.
The 147-metre vessel has a deadweight of 12,395 tonnes and offers more than 17,600 m³ of cargo hold capacity, increasing to over 24,000 m³ when the main deck is included. It is equipped with two 250-tonne cranes that can be combined to lift up to 500 tonnes, carries an ice class equivalent to 1A and is powered by a 4,800 kW engine, providing a cruising speed of 13.5 knots.
The Johane A. Desgagnés joins sister vessels Miena Desgagnés, Berthe A. Desgagnés and Annette A. Desgagnés as part of the company’s fleet renewal programme. Named after Johane Desjardins, the spouse of Louis-Marie Beaulieu, the vessel continues Desgagnés’ tradition of recognising women who have played an important role in the company’s development.
With the addition of the Marcellin A. Desgagnés in 2023 and the Annette A. Desgagnés, Berthe A. Desgagnés and Johane A. Desgagnés over the past two years, Desgagnés has invested more than US$140 million in expanding and modernising its fleet.
