The shipping company, Cosco Container Lines will be launching the maiden voyage of its newest ship from Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert port on Friday, April 8.
There is a reason why Rupertites may want to take notice of this; the ship’s new name is going to be the “MV Cosco Prince Rupert.”
People in Prince Rupert are even being invited by the Prince Rupert Port Authority to come and take a waterside tour of the new vessel aboard the Inside Passage. The tours are first come first serve and will be departing from Atlin Terminal every hour from one p.m. to four p.m., with tickets available at the West Coast Launch office in Atlin Terminal today, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available through voluntary donation to the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund. Those who are going are asked to arrive 15 minutes early.
According to the company, the 8,200 TEU ship is brand new, recently constructed in Korea, and cost over $100-million. The ship has a capacity of has the capacity to hold 8500 average cargo containers, and will making regular stops at the Prince Rupert fairview terminal.
Dave Bedwell is the executive vice-president of the Cosco, he says the company has ships named after many different cities from around the world, but won’t say why the company chose to name this one after Prince Rupert until his speech on Friday.
“It’s just another ship to us, but for your community it’s a very special ship,” says Bedwell.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority reminds people that strollers and pets are not allowed on board.