By crossing the Port of Montreal’s downstream limits at Sorel at 00:06 a.m., the Bermuda flagged Valencia Express became the first ocean-going vessel to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover in 2015. The Valencia Express, under the command of Captain Anuj Kararia, is a container ship operated by the shipping line Hapag-Lloyd, represented in Montreal by agents Robert Reford.
The Valencia Express had left the Port of Lisbon in Portugal on December 22nd, 2014.Captain Kararia will receive the Gold-Headed Cane during an official ceremony on Monday, January 5. The Port presents the trophy at the beginning of each New Year to the captain of the first ship to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover. This ceremony will mark the 176th anniversary of this great maritime world tradition.