The bulk carrier “Federal Yamaska”, which belongs to the Canadian shipping company Fednav, ran aground in the St. Lawrence River near Verchères (Quebec).
The 180 m long and 30 m wide ship had previously lost its engine power and was unable to maneuver. An initial attempt to free the freighter, which flies the flag of the Marshall Islands, was unsuccessful.
In order to prepare for a new salvage operation, the Canadian Coast Guard began unloading parts of the cargo. Around 3,200 tons of sugar are being removed with the help of two barges, at a rate of around 400 tons per hour.
“The situation is more complex than initially assumed,” explained Francis Lapointe, acting head of environmental and security at the Canadian Coast Guard. However, the power supply on board is intact, so that the on-board technology remains functional.
In addition to the Coast Guard, the Maritime Response Corporation and the Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC) are also deployed in order to be able to intervene immediately in the event of pollution.
The stricken vessel is partially in the fairway, but other ships can still pass through the area. The salvage work may only be carried out during daylight hours. The “Federal Yamaska” will then be transferred to Montreal – either under its own power or with tug assistance.
The Cypriot-flagged “Maccoa” had already run aground in the same region in December 2024. It took two weeks before it could be towed free again.
The St. Lawrence River is one of the most important and best-known waterways in North America. With a total length of around 2,900 km, it is one of the longest rivers in the world and connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes, playing a crucial role in international trade between Canada and the USA.
