The Russian freighter “Fesco Uliss” banned from entering Trois-Rivières diverted to the Bahamas


The Russian freighter “Fesco Uliss”, which was banned from going to Trois-Rivières, in Mauricie, was finally diverted to the port of Freeport in the Bahamas.

It will unload its cargo of pitch, a raw material intended for aluminum smelters in Quebec.

The load will then be transferred to another ship, not subject to sanctions against Russia, which will deliver it to Trois-Rivières a month and a half late.

The “Fesco Uliss”, whose home port is Vladivostok, was prevented from entering Canadian territorial waters. Transport Canada indicated that it “however entered the Canadian exclusive economic zone before turning back” .

This situation is not without causing a setback for the aluminum smelters awaiting their delivery.

In general, their association argues that the aluminum smelters will be able to deal with the sanctions by turning, if necessary, to other raw material suppliers, even if there is an impact on prices.

“When we have to, as we say in good Quebecers, turn around on a 30 cent to get a supply to replace one, it costs more because we will take the price that the market will charge us”, said Jean Simard, President of the Aluminum Association of Canada.

The economic boycott of Russia, added to the consequences of the pandemic, has the effect of causing the price of aluminum to jump to unprecedented levels.

Including what is called the “regional premium”, the price per tonne is almost US$5,000.

After China, Russia is the largest aluminum producer, while the United States is the buyer.

“As far as aluminum is concerned, I don’t see a long-term problem. The Americans could always decide to launch aluminum smelters,” observed Jean-Claude Bernatchez, professor of labor relations at the University of Trois-Rivières.

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Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com

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