Press Release                                                            For immediate distribution


Canada Steamship Lines Jean Parisien to receive a $30 million forebody replacement at Port Weller Dry docks

Montreal, August 23, 2004 – Canada Steamship Lines is proud to announce the signing of a building agreement with Canadian Shipbuilding and Engineering for the forebody replacement and steel renewal of the M.V. Jean Parisien.

“ The Jean Parisien is the fourth vessel of our Canadian fleet to receive an entirely new Canadian built hull in addition to state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly automated self-unloading equipment,” said Mr. Gerry Carter, President of Canada Steamship Lines. “ This $30 million investment will strengthen our core Canadian competencies and will offer our customers performance and innovation, safety and reliability.  At Canada Steamship Lines we have the responsibility to serve our customers to the best of our abilities but we are also responsible for our Canadian workforce and their job security.”

Canada Steamship Lines awarded the contract to Canadian Shipbuilding and Engineering, thus recognizing the shipyard’s ability to meet difficult technical requirements and to provide superior construction.  “We are proud to support our Canadian shipyards. Port Weller Dry Docks has demonstrated outstanding capability and has proven through three similar projects for our domestic operations that they are world-class shipbuilders,” continued Mr. Carter.      

After a self-financed fleet renewal program of more than $225 million, Canada Steamship Lines is positioned as the market leader in the transportation of dry-bulk cargoes.   The Montreal based company has 15 Canadian flagged vessels. This is considered to be the youngest, and most technically and environmentally efficient fleet navigating on the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Seaway.

The Jean Parisien is a 33,300 DWT self-unloading bulk carrier built in Canada in 1977. The new forebody will extend the life of the 740’ (225.5 m.) Jean Parisien by 25 years and will secure employment for many Canadian seafarers.

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