MV FEDERAL FRANKLIN OPENS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IN PORT OF THUNDER BAY
The Vessel and its Captain have earned back-to-back Top Hat Honours
by Scott A. Sumner
A familiar vessel and shipmaster were welcomed to the Port of Thunder Bay in style today at the traditional Top Hat Ceremony. The event recognizes the first international “saltie” vessel to reach port in the shipping season. MV Federal Franklin, helmed by Captain Rohit Khosla, crossed the breakwater at 21:25 on Monday, March 31 to earn the Top Hat honour for a second year running. Last year the same vessel and Captain set a record for the earliest arrival of a saltie in Thunder Bay, arriving that year on March 28. This year's arrival date is also earlier than usual. The average date for opening of international shipping is April 10.
Captain Kohsla and Chief Engineer Sardar Kusmeet Singh were welcomed in the ceremony with gifts and words of appreciation from port officials as well as City of Thunder Bay Acting Mayor Rajni Agarwal. Canon Ed Swayze, Chaplain of the Thunder Bay Mission to Seafarers was on hand to provide a blessing for the ship's crew. The ceremony took place at Richardson's Main Terminal, where the vessel is taking on a load of Canadian canola to be delivered to Veracruz, Mexico. The vessel's local agent is Lake Superior Shipping. The modern Federal Franklin was commissioned in 2021 into the Fednav fleet of Seaway-max bulkers. Fednav is Canada's largest oceangoing bulk shipping company and its fleet accounts for 40% of salty vessel calls to Port of Thunder Bay.
Chris Heikkinen, CEO Port of Thunder Bay “ Today is one of the earliest opening for international shipping in the Port of Thunder Bay. The 10 average is about April 10th so we are well over a week ahead today. It is only the fourth time a saltie vessel has crossed the break wall in March so earlier than usual. Opening earlier always help the season as it may allow for vessels to make one more trip here. The number of salties visiting our port has increased over the last few decades and we can expect 150 this year.”
Captain Rohit Khosla, MV Federal Franklin “ We came from Jamaica and took on some aluminum cargo and went to Baie Comeau to discharge. We came here to Thunder Bay to pick up canola and then travel to Vera Cruz, Mexico. We hope to make many more trips to Thunder Bay. I like the people- really appreciate them being so kind and nice. The port officials have been very helpful as well and we always enjoy coming back.” ”
